Samsung Lions’ Ace Won Tae-in Faces Controversy: What Really Happened During the Game?

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[Anchor] Samsung Lions ace Won Tae-in is embroiled in a profanity controversy after broadcast footage appeared to show him mouthing a curse during a play that allowed a run. Multiple outside explanations have followed, but the debate has not cooled. I’m Jang Yoon-hee. [Reporter] Ryu Ji-hyeok fielded Lee Young-bin’s infield grounder and threw to first to retire the batter. Won winced, stared at Ryu and mouthed words; Ryu’s expression showed he was taken aback. Viewers who watched the replay largely interpreted Won’s mouth movement as a curse, and discussion stayed intense into the next day. Some interpreted the remark as frustration at Ryu for not throwing home. Others thought it was aimed at LG’s Cheon Seong-ho for sliding head-first. Neither explanation justifies that level of anger on the field. Ryu is six years older than Won and Cheon was simply making a legitimate play to score. As fan anger grew, Samsung catcher Kang Min-ho posted in the club’s social media comments explaining the situation. He said Won complained to Ryu that the LG third-base coach’s exaggerated movements made it hard to concentrate. That explanation added fuel to the fire since many believed the comment referred to veteran coach Jeong Su-seong. Samsung, surprised by the backlash, said it had no official statement to offer and insisted Won “absolutely did not” target Ryu Ji-hyeok. On the 10th, Samsung’s Park Seung-kyu had earned praise from fans when he passed up a chance to complete the cycle and instead made a team-first play. Just ten days after the club pushed the message “no player is greater than the team,” Samsung now finds itself shaken by its ace’s sudden outburst. This is Jang Yoon-hee of Yonhap News TV. [Video editing: Kim Dong-hyun] [Graphics: Yong Su-ji] [News review] #SamsungLions #WonTaein #KangMinho #ParkSeungkyu Yonhap News TV — Tips and inquiries: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23 Jang Yoon-hee (ego@yna.co.kr)