Nexen`s Seo Kun-chang selected best rookie and MVP

Pitcher is a position most preferred by baseball players attending junior and high schools. Nine out of 10 talented baseball players want to be a pitcher. The second most preferred is shortstop. The third baseman, first baseman and outfielder are also popular.

Second baseman position, however, is a little uncertain. Players who are a bit short of batting and instead are good at defense become second basemen. Though not a popular post, second basemen have to do many things. They need the ability of right and left defense, double play, check play, bunt defensive shift and to throw balls to other basemen. Second baseman has to mobilize the most along with shortstops.

Recently, second basemen`s status has changed somewhat. Korean professional baseball now lays importance on defense as much as attack. Chung Geun-woo from Hanwha Eagles who is evaluated as one of the best second basemen became a free agent after the 2012 season, and made contract of 7 billion won (6.37 million U.S. dollars) for four years, the second highest in Korean baseball history.

This year marked an increase in second basemen`s presence. The 2014 professional baseball MVP, best rookie and other rewards have been granted to second basemen. Nexen second basemen Seo Kun-chang was nominated MVP beating mammoth Park Byung-ho and a 20-win pitcher Van Hekken (both from Nexen). The results of voting by professional baseball reporters showed that Seo received 77 among 99 votes, and became the first MVP as a second baseman in the 33-year-old Korean baseball history. Best rookie award went to NC`s second baseman park Min-woo.

Ahn Kyung-hyun, an SBS sports commentator who was top second baseman at Doosan, said, "Previously, a fielder had to make at least 30 homers and 100 runs to be MVP. It was not imaginable for a second baseman who can`t hit many homers to become MVP."

Seo was able to become MVP as he topped 200 runs for the first time in pro baseball. This season he got 201 runs, 0.370 battings and 135 scores, topping all other players in all three areas. The 135 figure was the highest in Korean baseball history. This is all the more valuable since he recorded it in just 128 games.

Ahn said, "Different from the past, second basemen these days are talented in attack, defense and base running. Both Seo Kun-chang and Park Min-woo are also good in batting." As Ahn said, the two players, who are top hitters and second basemen, are good at hitting, defending and running this season. Seo made 48 base stealing and Park 50 stealing, serving as an advance guard of attack.

Seo has become the second player in Korean pro baseball history to win both MVP and best rookie award since LA Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin awarded in 2006. Seo had gotten rookie award two years ago. Seo received Kia Motors K7 worth 36 million won (32,748 dollars).

Seo entered pro baseball teams as a trainee twice and completed full-time military service. He said, "As two years ago (when I stood here to get rookie award), I stand here and am recalling the difficulties I went through. I didn`t give up amid difficulties and that is why I believe I can stand here on this glorious day."

He vowed to advance a step forward, saying, "I got a huge compliment today but still am insufficient. I am hanging over a cliff where I can fall any time. I want to become a better player next season by overcome the fear." Seo is still urging on himself even after being selected as Korea`s best baseball player.