SEOUL, South Korea – Koo ja-wook, the 31-year-old outfielder for the Samsung Lions, added another accolade to his impressive career: his third KBO Golden Glove Award. The ceremony, held December 13th at the COEX Auditorium in Seoul, saw Koo claim the outfield category, a testament to his consistent excellence on the field.
Reflecting on his win, Koo shared, “When I won my third Golden Glove, I could see the audience.” This marked a significant contrast to his first Golden Glove win in 2021. “When I first received the Golden Glove, I was scared and nervous. It felt like I was walking in the dark,” he recalled. “I could see a lot of things from the fans,” he added with a smile, highlighting the growth in his confidence and perspective.
Koo’s journey mirrors the Samsung Lions’ own resurgence. After a period of struggles, the team has shown remarkable improvement, finishing second in the regular season and advancing to the Korean Series. “Our efforts have paid off this season,” Koo stated proudly. “It seems like the young players are in the process of growing to build a new dynasty. Although the team is still lacking, we will do our best to make up for that shortcoming. I’m doing everything,” he emphasized.
His focus extends beyond his own achievements. He acknowledged the success of other players, mentioning Kia Tigers’ Kim Do-yeong’s “tremendous results” this year. looking towards the future,Koo expressed his hopes for the team’s younger players: “our team also has young infielders Kim Young-woong and Lee Jae-hyun. next year, I hope that Hero and Jae-hyeon will come to the Golden glove Awards Ceremony and enjoy a moment of glory together.” He sees their growth as crucial to building a new era of success for the Samsung Lions, echoing the sentiment of a team on the rise.
Koo’s own career trajectory reflects this ambition.He joined samsung in 2012 and, after completing his military service, became a first-team player in 2015, a year that saw Samsung win the regular season but fall short in the Korean Series.He’s now a key figure in the team’s renewed success, a veteran leader guiding the younger generation. “I hope Samsung juniors will be more greedy,” he advised, urging them to strive for excellence.
The 2024 Golden Glove awards highlighted not only Koo’s individual success but also the potential for a new chapter in Samsung Lions history. With veteran players like Koo and Kang Min-ho leading the way, and promising young talent emerging, the team’s future looks bright, promising a compelling narrative for baseball fans worldwide.
Korean Baseball Star Koo Ja-wook Reflects on stellar Season
Samsung Lions star infielder Koo Ja-wook is basking in the glow of a remarkable season, culminating in a Golden Glove award with an overwhelming 90.3% of the vote. This marks a significant increase from the 63.6% he received in 2023, showcasing his consistent rise to the top of the Korean baseball Institution (KBO).
Only two players in the Golden Glove voting history have achieved a higher percentage: third baseman Do-young Kim, who garnered an astounding 97.2% (280 of 288 votes), and Koo himself.
Koo’s exceptional performance this year speaks for itself. he boasted a .343 batting average,33 home runs,115 RBIs,and a remarkable 1.044 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage). His OPS ranked second in the league, his slugging percentage (.627) third,and his batting average,RBIs,and on-base percentage (.417) all placed fourth, with his home run total coming in fifth.
“I didn’t know the vote rate was so high. I feel good,” Koo said with a laugh. He added, however, with characteristic humility, “But Kim Do-young is always in front.”
Koo showed his sportsmanship, acknowledging his fellow star player. “Kim Do-young appeared this year and led the success of the KBO league. Congratulations. It’s a good feeling for me, who does the same thing,” he said, paying tribute to a younger player on a rival team. “I will also try to become a better player. Even in the off-season, I train almost every day. “I’m living the right life,” he added, emphasizing his dedication to the sport.
While the Samsung Lions reached the Korean Series for the first time in nine years (as 2015),they ultimately fell short,losing the championship to the KIA Tigers. despite the setback, Koo remains optimistic about the future.
Set to captain the Lions again this year and next, Koo stated, “Starting pitcher Choi won-tae has joined our team. Now that we have become a stronger team, I will aim for higher heights with our Samsung players.”
