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[Sports Seoul | Sydney] “It was a season where I rediscovered my confidence.”
Park Chi-guk, 28, was a reliable force in the Doosan Bears’ bullpen last year. With these positive experiences, he’s gearing up for the upcoming season. The 2025 campaign was a turning point where Park regained his self-assurance, and he’s committed to delivering a similar level of performance in the coming year.
In 2025, Park posted a 4-4 record with 16 holds, 2 saves, and a 3.75 ERA. His impressive pitching helped erase memories of his struggles in 2024. Now, the challenge is to maintain this momentum. To that end, he’s putting in the work at spring training, currently underway at Blacktown Baseball Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
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Speaking with Sports Seoul at the training facility, Park reflected, “The 2025 season was when I got my groove back. Two years ago, I’d get nervous on the mound, worrying, ‘What if I give up runs?’ But last year, with consistent opportunities, I really grew as a pitcher.”
The key factor was his mental game. Once he got that under control, the results followed naturally. “The mental aspect was huge,” Park explained. “Two years ago, I lacked confidence. But last year, I found my footing. I studied how to outmaneuver batters and had lots of conversations about strategy.”
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With newfound belief in his abilities, Park aims to shine again this season. Of course, he’ll need to win a spot in the high-leverage relief corps. The competition is fierce, with talented newcomers like Ichiro Tamura joining the pitching staff, but Park is determined to come out on top.
“Watching our pitchers, I feel good about our staff. We’ve got some great arms,” Park said. “But in the bullpen, some guys will be in high-leverage roles, while others handle different situations. I’m competing hard to be one of those late-inning guys.”
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Park’s career ERA has been a rollercoaster, often following a good year with a disappointing one. He’s well aware of this pattern and is committed to breaking it. This year, he plans to bring the same intensity he had last season.
“I’m focusing on staying healthy so fans can say, ‘Park Chi-guk is consistent year after year,'” he emphasized. “People often talk about being ‘up and down.’ I’ve definitely been guilty of that. Last season, I pitched with a chip on my shoulder, and I plan to bring that same fire this year.” skywalker@sportsseoul.com
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