Kang Ri-ho expressed his position through a personal broadcast on social media.
On the morning of the 3rd, Kang Ri-ho said on social media (SNS) 메이저놀이터, “I want to communicate with Lotte fans. I hope you come in when the time comes.” I think it would be better to reveal it coolly inside,” he said, announcing the live broadcast.
Kang Ri-ho played 29 games for the Lotte Giants last season, recording an ERA of 5.48 with 17 runs (13 ERA) and 27 strikeouts in 21⅓ innings. Kang Ri-ho, who obtained qualification as a free agent (FA), entered the FA market. For Kang Ri-ho, the club that recruited Kang Ri-ho as a C grade only had to compensate Lotte for 150% of the previous year’s annual salary without a compensation player. However, there was no club looking for Kang Ri-ho.
Kang Ri-ho, who turned on the broadcast on the evening of the 3rd, said, “I never said it was expendable. I said a lot of one point.” It means that I was embarrassed that I couldn’t catch a batter.”
Kang Ri-ho said that he had been thinking about becoming a free agent since August of last year. He said, “I have never spent a single day in baseball for 14 years. Every baseball player has a dream and aims for the FA jackpot. I was one of them,” he said. The captain asked, “If I go out, I will definitely be lost. Then what will I do?”
Kang Ri-ho said that he had a lot of thoughts about baseball from three years ago. He said, “I couldn’t go out on the 13th or 14th and went out with two outs in the 9th inning. I blocked it and got on the bus and shed tears. I thought about what it meant to play baseball like that.” ’ I thought about it for about 3 years and filled the 3 years thinking if this path was right for me, but during the most important 3 years, I was the worst.”
He then opened his mouth about the right to reserve. He said, “After entering the free agency market, a proposal came from Lotte. However, if you do not sign a free agency for more than four years, it is a system where you have to negotiate an annual salary like existing players after the free agent contract period ends. I was also stressed during the annual salary negotiation.” I asked for the release of the reservation because I thought that a year later, if I did well, I would be caught at a higher price, and if I did not, I would not be caught. However, looking at the article, it seemed that I was trying to get out of Lotte unconditionally.”
Kang Ri-ho said, “My parents told me to stop. I did enough and said that it should not be done. Hearing that, I felt comfortable.” I think I was embarrassed because I couldn’t play baseball, but I persevered because I liked baseball. But I want to stop embarrassing myself. I don’t want to endure it. Three years ago, I thought that baseball wasn’t everything.”
Finally, Kang Ri-ho said, “It’s not baseball retirement. However, I need time to think. Lotte fans, I love you. Thank you for this interest and love” and ended the broadcast.