2023 is the year of Oh Ji-hwan (33, LG Twins). Oh Ji-hwan, wearing a golden watch, wrapped up the grand finale of 2023 with this golden glove in his arms. 먹튀검증
At the 2023 KBO Golden Glove Awards held at the COEX Auditorium in southern Seoul on Tuesday, Oh garnered 154 votes (52.9 percent) out of 291 votes to win the Golden Glove in shortstop category. It is his second overall win since last season.
“I am grateful to Yeom Kyung-yeop for making 2023 the best year ever,” Oh said after receiving the award. “I also received a lot of help from Cha Myung-seok, coaches and front office staff. I think this year is the best year for me. LG fans are the best among the 10 teams.”
It couldn't be better for Oh. Having signed a long-term contract with LG until 2029, Oh has been a key shortstop for LG this year, helping him win the Korean Series and the regular season title for the first time in 29 years. In the Korean Series, he garnered three home runs and eight RBIs, including a home run that turned the tables in Game 3, and was named the MVP of the series. He also acquired a Rolex watch that he left as the MVP gift for the Korean Series by the late former President Koo Bon-moo.
“This watch, which is a keepsake of the late president, needs to be seen by more people,” Oh said in a donation to his team. LG owner Koo Kwang-mo presented Oh with a new, more expensive Rolex watch in return. On Oh's wrist at the Golden Glove Awards, the watch flashed gold. “People around me told me that it could break down if I leave it without wearing it,” Oh said. “That's why I always wear it even if it's a little burdensome.” The watch eventually became a “lucky item” that brought back golden energy to Oh.
The shortstop section was considered the biggest battleground at the Golden Glove Awards. Oh Ji-hwan and Park Chan-ho (KIA Tigers) were also close in batting performance in the regular season and had similar defensive skills. They also jointly won the KBO defense award in this year's shortstop section. It was difficult to predict the result, but voters sided with veteran Oh Ji-hwan, who eventually solved LG's long-cherished dream. Oh received 34 more votes than Park Chan-ho (120 votes). “I won the title in 29 years, so I think this is the starting point. I want to win next year and achieve the LG dynasty,” Oh said.
In the first baseman category, LG`s foreign hitter Austin Dean received 271 votes, or 93.1 percent of the total votes, to become the winner of the most votes cast this year. Eric Peddy of the former NC Dinos, the winner of the pitcher category, came next with 267 votes (91.8 percent).
Yang Eui-ji of Doosan Bears received 214 votes (73.5 percent), beating his “winning catcher” Park Dong-won (LG·63 votes), and acquiring his ninth Golden Glove (eight catches, one designated hitter). Yang Eui-ji will become the second only player with the most wins, following Lee Seung-yeop (10 times), the current manager of his team. He also became the most winner in the catcher category, surpassing Kim Dong-soo (7 times).
Kim Hye-sung (Kium Heroes) won in the second baseman category for the second consecutive year, while Noh Si-hwan (Hanwha Eagles), the home run and RBI king, won his first golden glove in the third baseman category. In the outfielder category, Hong Chang-ki (LG), Koo Ja-wook (Samsung Lions), and Park Kun-woo (NC) were selected as winners. Park Kun-woo was thrilled to win the award for the first time in 15 years since his debut. In the designated hitter category where veteran hitters competed, Son Ah-seop (NC), the batting king of this season, was selected as the winner.
