South Korean outfielder Yoon Dong Hee, who has established himself as a key player for Team Ryu Joong Il, is proving his value with consistent, powerful hitting. Known for his upbeat personality and inventive spirit, Yoon recently revealed he was the mastermind behind the team’s “APT.” celebration, inspired by singer Rosé. “That was my idea,” he laughed when asked about the celebratory gesture.
On Sunday, Yoon started as the fifth hitter and right fielder in a practice game against the Wei Chuan Dragons at Tianmu Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan. He made the most of his one at-bat, launching a solo home run and drawing a walk before being replaced by Lee Ju Hyung in the fifth inning.
Previously, Yoon had also hit a home run in an evaluation game against Cuba in Gocheok, and he continued to display his strong batting form, sending the ball over the fence once more. In the bottom of the second inning, he struck a high fastball from a right-handed pitcher, sending it over the left fence for a solo home run, which turned out to be the game-winning hit.
Afterward, Yoon remained humble, remarking, “I wasn’t aiming for a home run; I just got lucky with solid contact.” He shared that he had a favorable count and went for a confident swing, which led to the ball sailing over the fence. Reflecting on his recent hitting success, Yoon said, “I’m starting to understand what works for me as I gain more experience. By improving in those areas, I’ve been able to see good results.”
Yoon is regarded as a so-called “international-type hitter.” He was selected for last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games, where he helped secure a gold medal, and he is once again delivering strong performances on the national team.
When asked if wearing the South Korean emblem gives him extra strength, Yoon hesitated, saying, “How should I explain this?” with a puzzled expression.
Yoon explained, “I think I performed well in high-pressure situations, like the ninth inning or when there were runners on base during the season.” He continued, “International tournaments are short-term competitions, so there are more of those situations, which may be why the results have been good.”
The “APT.” celebration has become a team favorite, with players raising their hands after each hit, lifting team spirits. Yoon explained, “During a team meeting, Captain Song Sung Moon suggested we come up with a celebration. We had a few options, but ‘APT.’ turned out to be the favorite,” he chuckled.
With practice games wrapped up, Yoon expressed his determination to give his best in every upcoming game. “Rather than focusing on hitting a specific number of wins for the Super Round, I’m focused on taking it one game at a time,” he said. “I’ll stay concentrated and aim to win every game ahead.”
