[부산 인터뷰]”Ace with heart” Strayley “Return to Lotte? Didn’t worry”

[부산=스포츠조선 김영록 기자]”I really like the Lotte Giants. It’s so true that I have nothing to say. I had no difficulty deciding to continue playing for Lotte.”

Dan Strayley, who became a’Busan Ace’ after a year, showed pride.

Straley ended self-isolation on the 2nd. The official joining date designated by the Lotte club was on the 5th, but Strayley visited the Sajik Stadium and greeted with colleagues after quarantine. On the 3rd, he participated in the pitching tank training. Strayley, who was relieved, began pitching the bullpen immediately after officially joining on the 5th.

On this day, Strayley was interviewed with a hoodie with’KOREA’ written on her chest. He laughed, “I came to Korea without preparation last year and it was so cold that I bought it in Seomyeon.” A large mask that covers the entire face also stood out.

“The bullpen pitching was very good. After two weeks of isolation, I wanted to start exercising as soon as possible. Last year, my wife and child missed me so much that I had a hard time all year long. I did a lot of indoor exercise.”

Among the foreign players who achieved good results in the KBO league last year, not a few have advanced to the Major League (MLB) and Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB) this winter. Chris Flexen, Mel Lohas Jr., and Raul Alcantara refused the love call of the original team and moved to another league.

Strayley also raised the possibility of a comeback in the Major League (MLB). However, Straley chose to renew his contract with Lotte.

“As I said several times last season, I really like Lotte. (Other people) might think,’I still don’t want to go to America.’ But I had a great season at Lotte last year, and Lotte gave me a good suggestion. There was no difficulty in deciding to return to Lotte.”

Strayley also showed off her sense of hiding the logo of the Philadelphia Phillies, where she ran, by attaching duct tape to her bag when she arrived. He laughed, “I needed a big bag to put various kinds of luggage and baseball equipment.”

Strayley played 194⅔ innings last year and achieved an average of 15 wins and 4 losses and an ERA of 2.50. It also took the first place in the overall strikeout category (205). But Straley was motivated by saying, “I’m not satisfied with last year’s performance. I want to be number one in all pitchers this year.”

“I heard that Dae-ho Lee had an option to win the (Korean Series) while signing an FA contract. It’s a very good idea. Once we advance to the postseason, there is no chance for any team to win. The reason we train hard every day is that it is the winner. To do it.”

Busan = Reporter Kim Young-rok [email protected]