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Korean player wants to leave on jet plane for Miami

Published: 05 Mar. 2026, 10:49

YOON SO-YEON
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Kim Do-yeong celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Orix Buffaloes during an exhibition game ahead of the World Baseball Classic at Kyocera Dome in Osaka on March 3. [YONHAP]

Baseball players have a particular affinity for group celebrations. They like to come up with some type of gesture to make toward their dugout after getting a hit or, better yet, hitting a home run.

When Korea captain Lee Jung-hoo put out a call for a celebration for the team at the World Baseball Classic (WBC), infielder Roh Si-hwan had a couple of ideas.

Korea is trying to make it out of Pool C in the first round and reach the quarterfinals in Miami. So Roh suggested making the alphabet "M" with fingers. His other idea was to do an airplane celebration, with both arms stretched out to mimic flying, since Korea is hoping to board the plane bound for Miami.

The second one stuck, though the process was far from smooth.

"At first, the guys all felt embarrassed," Roh said Wednesday, the eve of Korea's first WBC game against Czech Republic at Tokyo Dome. "But I kept pushing for it. I told them it would look cool to future baseball players watching us on TV. Now everyone is doing it."

Roh said Kim Do-yeong, who homered twice in exhibition games after the airplane move became a thing for the team, has been the most willing participant, along with the two U.S.-born position players of Korean descent, Jahmai Jones and Shay Whitcomb.

Roh Si-hwan poses for a photo after a media availability at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 4, before the start of the World Baseball Classic. [YONHAP]

Now, the man who came up with it awaits his own turn.

"I've not had a chance to do it," Roh said with a smile. "I guess I am the only one left. And to do it after a home run would be ideal."

Roh, a 30-homer slugger for the Hanwha Eagles in the KBO, admitted he hadn't yet found his groove at the plate through training camp and exhibition games. But he has made his impact on defense, both at third base and first base, by making a couple of diving stabs to prevent a run.

"I am not where I want to be, hitting-wise, but honestly, I am not going to worry about that once the tournament starts," Roh said. "Even when I am not swinging the bat well, I will try to help the team on defense and do whatever it takes to help the team win."

Shay Whitcomb celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Orix Buffaloes during an exhibition game ahead of the World Baseball Classic at Kyocera Dome in Osaka on March 3. [YONHAP]

Roh, 25, recently signed the most lucrative contract in KBO history, agreeing to an 11-year extension worth 30.7 billion won ($20.1 million) before hitting free agency. When asked if he now has to pick up the tab more often, Roh said with a smile, "No, not yet."

"I've got a bunch of older teammates who can take care of that," he added. "I just try to keep things light in the clubhouse and keep my teammates loose."

To that end, Roh said he and his teammates have made concerted efforts to make Jones and Whitcomb feel at ease, as they represent the country of their mothers' birth for the first time.

"They all have great personalities and we've been getting along really well," Roh said. "And we Korean guys have been trying to be friendly with them. And I feel like we became a true team so quickly. It's been great to see."

Yonhap