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There were no dragonfly troops, but....the outfield bleachers at Sajik Ballpark were filled with home runs.
In 2003, Lee Seung-yeop, the “National Hitter,” set a new record for the most home runs in a single season in the KBO and Asian League. As he neared the milestone, the outfield seats in the stadiums where he played were empty. A “dragonfly club” was formed to capture the home run ball.
April 2024. Another record-breaking year was in store for Waya-suk. Choi Jung-jeong, a “boy trader,” was on the verge of breaking Lee Seung-yeop's record for most career home runs (467). Choi tied Lee with a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning against the KIA Tigers at home (SSG Landers Field, Incheon) on April 16, tying the record.
It was a festival at SSG Landers Field on the 17th, when the record was set, especially in the left outfield, where home runs were overwhelmingly distributed.
The excitement didn't last long. Choi was injured in his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning when he was hit in the right side of the head by a four-seam fastball (fastball) from opposing pitcher Will Crowe. The initial diagnosis was a fracture, but a second opinion the next day revealed a contusion.
Choi rested for a while and made his comeback on March 23 against the Lotte Giants at Sajik Stadium in Busan. The game was rained out and no official record was kept, but Choi hit his first at-bat in the top of the first inning, hitting a changeup from opposing pitcher Han Hyun-hee for a double to left field.
On the 24th, the sky was clear over Sajik Stadium. The crowd was larger than the previous day. However, most of them were home fans. The away infield bleachers were empty.
However, the outfield seats were filled with baseball fans who were eager to celebrate the record. Many fans moved to the left outfield for the best at-bats.
A baseball fan who visited Sajik Stadium on this day checked out the record-breaking scene. In the top of the fifth inning, with the bases loaded and SSG trailing 4-7, Choi took a first-pitch slider from opposing starter Lee In-bok over the left field wall. It was the 468th home run of his career.
The SSG Baseball team's marketing team organized a generous prize for the baseball fan who acquired the KBO's all-time home run record home run ball. If he handed over the commemorative ball to the team, he could receive a year's free beverage voucher from Starbucks, two Live Zone season tickets for the 2024-2025 season, and a hotel stay.
One man was the lucky winner. “We first asked the spectator's permission to take a photo with the home run ball, and we plan to ask his wishes after the end of the seventh inning,” said an SSG team official.
A baseball official said, “I hope the best home run will come from SSG's home stadium.” He hoped that he would receive a hero's welcome in a more intense atmosphere. Indeed, there were many empty seats in the stands. The total attendance was 8499 people. However, the outfield was packed with baseball fans who wanted to enjoy the record-breaking moment.