Lions captain Koo Ja-wook delivers big hit with franchise legend watching

By Yoo Jee-ho

DAEGU, Nov. 6 (Yonhap) -- After tossing the ceremonial first pitch for Game 3 of the Korean Series between the Samsung Lions and the KT Wiz in the southeastern city of Daegu on Friday, Lions legend Lee Seung-yuop gushed over the evolution of the current Lions captain Koo Ja-wook.

Lee, who was teammates with Koo for his final three seasons from 2015 to 2017, said Koo has turned into a "true leader" of the team and become an even better player than Lee had imagined at the start of Koo's career.

And with Lee, the all-time home run leader in Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) with 467, watching from the stands at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, Koo came through with a two-run triple in the bottom of the second inning to key a 5-1 victory.

It gave the Lions a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship battle.

"I knew he was watching us. I felt his gaze at the start of the game tonight," Koo said. "He was my hero growing up and I have always admired him so much. I am so honored to hear those words from him but I still have long ways to go. I will just continue to admire him for the rest of my life."

The Lions gave up the first run in the top of the first, but Choi Hyoung-woo's single tied the score in the bottom half of that inning. And in the bottom second, Kim Seong-yoon's groundout put the Lions up 2-1, before Koo's triple off the top of the right field wall scored two more runs for a 4-1 lead.

Koo, who has been playing through lingering issues of a recent hamstring injury, chugged to third base, but got in safely standing up, with no throw coming.

A healthy version of Koo, or a speedier runner, could have come home for an inside-the-park home run.

"I didn't think about it in the moment. And I have never had one of those," Koo said with a smile. "It was only after a few moments that I figured maybe I could have scored on the play."

Some Lions players said afterward they became emotional watching Koo run to third on one healthy leg. But Koo refused to take sole credit for firing up the team, noting that several other teammates are playing hurt at the moment.

"It is not just me. We have other guys playing through injuries and showing incredible spirit," Koo said. "We have relievers who are pitching basically every day. We all inspire each other and pull for each other. I think that sort of teamwork is why we were able to pull out this win today."

As the No. 2 seed, the Lions were the underdogs entering the series, and losing the series opener 8-7 on Tuesday put them in an early hole. But they battled back to take the second game 3-2 in 12 innings and now they lead the series after a tidy win Friday.

"Since the start of spring training, we have had only one goal in mind," Koo said. "That has given us the strength not to give in even after losing the first game. We have unbelievable drive and determination."