Austin, who came across the Pacific to keep his promise, "At LG until the end of his career."
Austin, who came across the Pacific to keep his promise, "At LG until the end of his career."
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Austin Dean (31), a foreign hitter of the LG Twins who crossed the Pacific Ocean to keep his promise with his fans, even had gold gloves.온라인바카라
Austin attended the 2024 Shinhan Bank Sol KBO Golden Glove Awards held at the COEX Auditorium in Samseong-dong, Seoul on the 13th.
Austin was the only foreign player who attended the event.
It is unusual for a foreign player to attend an award ceremony held during the off-season. In general, players go back to their hometowns and enjoy their vacation after the end of a season. As a result, when foreign players win the award, teammates or coaching staff usually win the award by proxy.
The most recent player to attend the Golden Glove Awards was Josh Lindblom (then Doosan Bears) in 2019.
However, Austin, who was spending an off-season in the U.S. after the season, made a surprise appearance at the ceremony.
He visited Korea for a short stay of two nights and three days only for the ceremony. After arriving in Korea the day before the ceremony, Austin will depart for the U.S. again on the morning of July 14.
Austin, who met ahead of the ceremony, laughed, saying, "I really just watch the ceremony and leave again."
"I told my wife Sarah and she gladly told me to come back, so I was able to come," Austin said with a smile. "I made a promise to my fans earlier this year. I wanted to keep that promise, so I thought I should come."
Austin was the first LG foreign player to wear gold gloves last year, but failed to attend the award ceremony. After his teammate Hong Chang-ki won the award by proxy, he received the trophy in front of the team ahead of the exhibition game in early March.
Concealed his disappointment, he vowed to attend the award ceremony if he is nominated again for Golden Glove. He then appeared at the ceremony and kept his promise.
Austin smiled, saying, "I'm just grateful to be here as a candidate, whether I win an award or not."
Austin, who debuted in the KBO League in partnership with LG for the first time in 2023, quickly melted both inside and outside the ground. He led his team to victory last year by posting a batting average of 0.313, 23 home runs and 95 RBIs. He also had a batting average of 0.319, 32 home runs and 132 RBIs, ranking first in RBIs this year.
And Austin's name was also called in the first baseman category at the Golden Glove Awards.
Austin acquired 193 votes (67.0 percent) out of 288 valid votes, winning his second consecutive gold medal. Matt Davidson (NC Dinos), the "homer king," garnered 83 votes (28.8 percent).
As Austin recalled the moment he was named the winner, he said with a smile, "Actually, I was very relieved. I'm so honored and grateful to receive this award for the second year in a row."
As for Davison, who competed with him, he said, "He's a really good player, and I'm grateful that we can compete together as a candidate this time. He is a talented player who can't be questioned about any awards."
Austin will wear the LG uniform next year as well. He signed a contract for the 2025 season with a total of 1.7 million dollars (down payment of 300,000 dollars, annual salary of 1.2 million dollars, incentive of 200,000 dollars), up 400,000 dollars from 1.3 million dollars in the 2024 season.
Austin said, "The big goal is to remain a good player at LG. My goal is to play hard until I break my leg and play until the end at LG."