Korea’s baseball team has a new way to celebrate home runs. The team’s players make an “M” shape with their hands for Miami, before waving their arms like the wings on a Brett Phillips airplane.
The Inspiration Behind the Celebration
Infielder Si Hwan Roh came up with the move. Some veteran players asked them to come up with something. In the first exhibition game, there was an option to do either one of those, so some guys did the ‘M,’ some did [the airplane]. Before the second game, they had to make a decision on what they’re gonna stick with. It’s thanks to Roh for that.
Do Yeong Kim, who is the youngest player to go 30/30 in KBO history, hit his second home run in as many days. He busted out the wings as he rounded third base, and his teammates in the dugout joined in.
Hyun Min Ahn also blasted a moonshot to left field and did the same move.
Manager’s Approval
Manager Ji-Hyun Ryu supports the celebration. Ryu knows the importance of the club gelling quickly in the tournament, with the team combining MLB players and KBO stars, along with players born in Korea and those from the U.S. of Korean descent.
Ryu said he is pleased to watch his roster get together and bond as one team, one unit.
Grand Slam and Celebrations
Bo Gyeong Moon hit a grand slam to give Korea an early lead against Czechia. Moon went for a flight around the bases.
The pitchers do not have their own celebration. Veteran starter Hyun Jin Ryu said that they try to have fun with the hitters and give their best from the dugout.
Korea hopes to head to Miami for the quarterfinals when Tokyo’s Pool C ends. Korea hasn’t advanced out of the first round since reaching the championship in 2009, so the mission begins there.