Kang Jung-ho, who tried to return to the KBO league twice, turned into a coach. He started a baseball academy in LA, USA.
Kang Jung-ho tried to return to the KBO League through Kiwoom Heroes on two occasions, in June 2020 and March 2022. Since he was arbitrarily withdrawn from Kiwoom, he had to wear a Kiwoom uniform to return to the KBO league. It has become difficult to play in the major leagues due to a drunk driving strikeout. Of course, the KBO League could not accept Kang Jung-ho. The KBO terminated Jung-ho Kang arbitrarily in March of last year, but denied his registration as a player. 메이저놀이터
After that, Kang Jung-ho completely abandoned his lingering attachment to his career as a player. Although he once stayed in Korea, he is known to have settled and lives in the United States. In the meantime, Son A-seop (NC) is attracting attention again this winter as he digests his personal training with the help of ‘Kang Jeong-ho Academy’.
On the 9th (hereafter Korean time), Son Ah-seop said at NC’s spring camp magazine, Tucson Reed Park Enex Field, Arizona, USA, “I trained at Kang Jung-ho’s academy in LA from last January. He stayed for a month with Jung Ho-hyung and coach Heo Il from Lotte.”
Although Kang Jeong-ho took off his uniform in disgrace, he was a hitter who left a huge impact, as seen by his nickname of ‘devil’s talent’. In 902 KBO League career games, he had a batting average of 0.298, 139 home runs, 545 RBIs and 470 runs. In 2014, his last season in the KBO League, he hit 40 home runs and was called the best shortstop in the country.
After that, he entered the major leagues and recorded a batting average of 0.254, 46 homers, 144 RBIs, 120 runs, and an OPS of 0.796 in 297 games for four years. He is evaluated that he could still be a player while leaving a better record if it were not for injuries, surgeries and drunk driving incidents. In 2016, he only played 103 games and hit a whopping 21 home runs. At that time, the major leagues also highly evaluated Kang Jung-ho’s talent as a third baseman.
Son Ah-seop said, “Honestly, Jung-ho hyung’s batting talent was extraordinary. He was originally going to be together for a two-month schedule, but because he joined spring camp, it felt like he hadn’t finished something while only spending one month. Still, it was a big help.”
Son Ah-seop adjusted the lower body movement and arm height when hitting this winter, and corrected the fact that the hit side was reduced when hitting. It is said that the problem was revealed after extracting objective data through various trekking equipment at Jung-ho Kang Academy, and that Coach Kang and Coach Il Heo helped both physically and mentally.
Kang Jeong-ho lives a second baseball life as a private coach, and quietly tries to contribute to the baseball world. Of course, his own life is also at stake. Son A-seop was somewhat sluggish in the first season of a 4-year, 6.4 billion won free agent contract with NC. If he revives this season, naturally, the ‘Kang Jung-ho Academy effect’ is expected to be mentioned.