In 'Strongest Baseball', the unknown 9th batter Kang Min-guk led his team to victory with a comeback three-run home run that overturned the opponent's expectations, filling the home ground with ecstatic joy.
In the JTBC entertainment program 'Strongest Baseball' aired on the 29th of last month, during the first player recruitment match of the Breakers, Kang Min-guk, the key player for Lee Jong-beom, hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the 8th inning, turning the game around from a 7-8 deficit and thrilling the audience, which drew a passionate response from viewers.
Notably, 'Strongest Baseball' entered the 3rd place in the TV non-drama topic rankings for the 4th week of September, as announced by Good Data Corporation's FUNdex, proving the show's popularity and warm interest from viewers.
Kang Min-guk, who holds the record of '1 career home run in KBO', delivered a thrilling moment that was completely different from everyone's expectations. The opposing team's catcher thought it would be easy to face Kang Min-guk, but he hit a comeback three-run home run, sending chills down spines.
"I prepared firmly among the strong star seniors," said commentator Jeong Min-cheol, highlighting how Kang Min-guk diligently followed Lee Jong-beom's batting training to improve his hitting skills, and when the opportunity arose, he delivered a decisive blow, signaling the birth of a new star.
Right after the home run, Kang Min-guk expressed his gratitude to manager Lee Jong-beom, saying, "I wasn't a player who received the spotlight, but my idol, the manager, put me in the lineup and cheered for me." He also shared his appreciation for his family, saying, "I think I got superhuman strength because my daughter was watching."
With Kang Min-guk's comeback three-run home run, the Breakers turned the game around to 10-8, seizing the momentum and winning their first player recruitment match. Selected as the MVP of the first official game, Kang Min-guk said, "My wife and baby came, and they said they wanted to see me do an interview like this. I've never done it while playing baseball, so I'm really grateful to be the MVP in my first game and able to do this interview," expressing his overwhelming emotions that moved those watching.
Moreover, manager Lee Jong-beom's strategy also shone through. He observed Kang Min-guk's practice, anticipating that he would be key to scoring, and placed him in the 9th batting position. Lee Jong-beom's prediction came true, as Kang Min-guk perfectly turned the game around with his three-run home run, eliciting admiration.
'Strongest Baseball' provides a platform for retired players who cannot forget baseball to have another opportunity. Kang Min-guk, who was a one-home run hitter in KBO, became the hero of the comeback three-run home run, creating a story of a new star's birth. Yoon Seok-min, who left the baseball world to drive a ready-mix concrete truck, returned to the field, showcasing stable first base defense and good hitting skills, making an impact.
In this way, 'Strongest Baseball' captivated viewers with the sincerity and efforts of retired players, and it announced a successful start by landing in 3rd place in TV non-drama topic rankings from the first broadcast of the 2025 season.
JTBC's representative baseball entertainment program 'Strongest Baseball' is a real sports entertainment program where retired professional baseball players form a team and challenge baseball again. Episode 121 will air on the 13th at 10:30 PM.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
