Doosan Yang Eui-ji, 9th Golden Glove... One Step Closer to the Most Awards in History

Doosan Bears' main catcher Yang Eui-ji has taken one step closer to becoming the all-time leader in Golden Glove awards given to the best players by position in professional baseball.

On the afternoon of the 11th, Yang Eui-ji, who won the award in the catcher category at the 2023 Korea Professional Baseball KBO Golden Glove Awards held at the COEX Auditorium in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, is sharing his thoughts. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 11th, Yang Eui-ji was selected as the winner in the catcher category at the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League Golden Glove Awards ceremony held at the COEX Auditorium in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Yang Eui-ji received 214 votes (73.5%), surpassing LG Twins' Park Dong-won, who received 63 votes (21.6%). Previously, Yang won Golden Gloves from 2014 to 2016 and from 2018 to 2022. This year, he once again claimed the Golden Glove, celebrating his ninth career award. In the all-time most awards record, he ranks second, closing the gap to Doosan manager Lee Seung-yeop’s KBO League record of 10 awards by just one. Yang also set a new record for the most Golden Glove awards in the catcher category, surpassing Kim Dong-soo, the Seoul High School manager. Having won six consecutive awards, Yang ranks second for most consecutive wins alongside former Hanwha Eagles manager Han Dae-hwa. The first place is held by manager Lee Seung-yeop, who won seven consecutive awards.

Yang has won eight Golden Gloves as a catcher and one as a designated hitter (in 2021). Yang said, "Next season, I will prepare even better so that manager Lee Seung-yeop can cheer more." Returning to his original team Doosan this year, Yang played in 129 games, leading the offense with a batting average of 0.305, 17 home runs, and 68 RBIs. Among the seven catcher nominees, he ranked first in caught stealing rate (0.378).

In the pitcher category, NC’s foreign pitcher Eric Peddy, who recorded 20 wins, 6 losses, a 2.00 ERA, and 209 strikeouts, sweeping first place in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, received the award. Peddy capped off 2023 brilliantly by winning both the regular season MVP and the Golden Glove. He is expected to play next season in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Chicago White Sox.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.