History was made in the Korean Baseball Organization on Wednesday. Son Ah-seop of the NC Dinos tied the all-time hits record in the KBO with two hits against the Doosan Bears. Son pulled into a tie with former LG Twins star Park Yong-taik with 2,504 hits.
Son, an 18-year veteran of the KBO, began his career in 2007 with the Lotte Giants. He reached Park’s hit total in 2,043 games, 194 games fewer than Park. Son has recorded 100 hits every season since 2010, collecting 1,994 hits and a .327 batting average in that span, both tops of the KBO. Last season, Son led the KBO in hits with 187, his fourth season doing so. Son also won the league’s batting title in 2023 with a.339 BA.
After 15 years with his hometown Giants, Son signed a four-year deal with the Dinos in 2021 worth 6.4 billion won (5.4 million USD).
The record-tying hits came as a double in the third inning and a bloop single to left field in the top of the ninth. Son has totaled 86 hits through 68 games so far in 2024. He is batting an impressive .300 with a .747 OPS in his 18th season.
Son, now 36, looks to become the solo leader of all-time hits in the KBO in another contest with the Doosan Bears on Thursday. If Son can rack up a hit, it will be a night the 18-year pro won’t forget.
