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Three Lotte Giants players returned from suspension and faced fans again on May 5, opening their first day back with apologies instead of excuses.
Ko Seung-min, Na Seung-yeop and Kim Se-min were added to the first-team roster ahead of that day’s game against KT. Ko was inserted immediately into the starting lineup as the No. 6 hitter and the team’s second baseman. After official practice, the trio bowed to reporters and acknowledged their mistakes with solemn expressions.
Ko said, \”I am truly sorry. From now on, I’ll focus on being a good person before being a good player.\” He added, \”I now understand how much the fans’ support means. Having been given another chance, I’ll do everything I can to repay them.\”
Na said, \”I’ve done a lot of reflecting and I’m physically ready. I won’t cause trouble again, and I’ll show more responsibility.\” Kim vowed a fresh start, saying he would \”play one step harder than others\” and be a more diligent teammate.
The suspensions stemmed from visits to a gambling arcade near the team’s dormitory during February’s spring camp in Taiwan. The Korea Baseball Organization handed Ko, Na and Kim 30-game suspensions; in the same case, Kim Dong-hyuk was found to have visited three times and received a 50-game ban under KBO Article 151, which covers conduct that damages the dignity of the game.
While suspended, the players couldn’t appear in official league games. They spent the time with the club’s Third-Team Dream squad, playing roughly 15–16 tune-up games against college teams to prepare for their return. The numbers were encouraging: Kim batted .369 across 16 games, while Ko and Na focused on getting their timing back.
Lotte moved to register the trio to the first team as soon as their suspensions ended — a decision that also reflects the club’s standing. Riding a four-game winning streak, Lotte climbed to eighth place, just three games behind fourth-place Samsung and only 1.5 games clear of the pack clustered around fifth. Getting key contributors back at this juncture clearly bolsters the roster.
Still, returning doesn’t erase scrutiny. Results and behavior will determine whether fans’ opinions change. What supporters want now are demonstrable actions and accountability on the field, not just apologies. For Lotte’s three, the real comeback starts now.
Photo = Yonhap News / Reporter Hong Gi-wonn
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