“I Have Crossed the Rubicon”

The voice of Hong Seung-heun, 30, catcher for Doosan, a Korean professional baseball team, was hoarse. Since the news that he asked for a trade to Coach Kim Kyeong-moon’s team on December 13 spread, he has lost contact with people. He only trained at his alma mater, Kyung Hee University. When your reporter got a rare phone call with him, he said, “I am careful about everything now.”

He said, “The past few days have been like a few years.”

Hong had not seen any newspapers or visited any Internet websites since the trade scandal broke out, because speculations were rampant.

He said, “It was not intended, but I am still sorry to have disappointed the Doosan coaching staff, fellow players, and fans. There is no turning back. I have come too far to go back (to Doosan).”

He also made clear that he will continue his career on another team.

This season was the worst year of his nine-year career. A knee injury forced him to give up his position to Chae Sang-byeong, a younger catcher. Worse, as a designated hitter, he showed a poor result with a .268 batting average and 39 RBI.

Being a catcher is the reason he plays baseball. He wanted to recover his dignity. He used to take a break after a season ended, but this year he began individual training right after the season. He weighs 89 kg, the same weight he kept during the season, thanks to eight-hour long regular exercise regimens. In the past, during the break, his body weight increased as much as 95 kg.

What will it be like his next year? Some media reports showed that Hanwha and Kia are interested in signing a contract with him. But Hong said, “There was no specific proposal. (Until he chooses a team,) I will get into shape.”

Meanwhile, Kim Tae-ryeong, the chief of the management department of Doosan, said, “I will meet him and talk him (into remaining in the team).” The team has a right to negotiate salary with Hong by the end of January. Hong’s heart, however, has already left the team.

Even if the negotiation deal is not concluded, he can transfer to another team when the team offers a player or cash trade. What remains is which team will take Hong in exchange for his annual salary of 310 million won in cash or another player.