Famished `Black Bear` Woods Hunts Victory

``I am hungry for victory.``

After the playoffs with the Hyundai, Doosan`s `Black Bear` Woods (32) expressed his enthusiasm for the Korean Series title that he was hungry for a victory. He has been in a grave need for a victory.

Since he joined the Doosan organization in 1998, he has regretfully never tasted a sweetness of victory, accompanied by unfortunate fate of his team. The Doosan was eliminated losing four straight games in the playoffs with the Hanwha in 1999, and he had to shed tears in game seven of the Korean Series last year. However, Woods has a best chance to make his dream come true because his team has been on the rise in the postseason.

As a leading hitter, Woods has also been in the best condition. He recorded 6 hits at 11 bats (0.545), 4 RBIs and 2 home runs. After shooting a home run in game one, he overwhelmed again the Samsung with a 140-m super solo homer smashing it to the top of left deck in the 3-1 leading third of game three. The second one tied the longest home run record set by himself in the Korean Series with the Hyundai last year.

Moreover, he set the postseason home run record (11 home runs) just in four years in Korea. And he became the player who hit most home runs (5 home runs) in the Korean Series.

If the Doosan wins the Korean Series, Woods is a foremost candidate for Korean Series MVP. In that case, Woods can be `a triple crown MVP` of regular season, all-star game, and Korean Series.

The strength of Woods lies in stable hitting performance without noticeable weakness. Unlike other players, moreover, he has shown his best ability without being strained even in the big game.

His steadfast practice is also praiseworthy. Woods, an exemplary player without any scandal, has focused only on the game restraining himself from going out except strolling through Itaewon, Seoul, with his wife Sheryl.

Meanwhile, Junichi Dragons` hitting coach Sasaki, visiting Seoul to watch the Korean Series, highly evaluated Woods` outstanding play. It is noteworthy whether the Junichi might make a scout offer to Woods after the Korean Series.

Kim Sang-Soo ssoo@donga.com