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Before the game on the 5th, he had a batting average of 0.289 (118 hits in 408 at-bats), 17 home runs (joint sixth in the league), 73 RBIs (fifth), 72 runs (joint fourth) and 9 steals (on-base percentage of 0.354 slugging percentage, 0.488 (7th), and 0.842 (12th) in many offensive indicators. Austin Dean (LG Twins), Raul Alcantara (Doosan Bears), and Eric Pedi (NC Dinos) are definitely better than him in many ways. One of the reasons why he is likely to renew his contract is that he has a batting average of 0.314 (11 hits in 35) and a batting average of 0.350 (14 hits in 40 hits) against the KT Wiz, the top team to compete in autumn baseball.

However, if you look at the lineup in the second half, Socrates' renewal of contract next season also makes you think "for a while." As the starting lineup collapsed due to injuries and sluggishness (4.58 ERA, 8th in the league), it was the batting line that saved the possibility of autumn baseball, which once seemed precarious. In the second half of the year, KIA is showing overwhelming firepower with a team batting average of 0.306, 26 home runs, 199 RBIs, 214 points, 29 steals, and OPS of 0.828. In particular, in terms of OPS alone, it is 0.770 which is a significant difference from NC, the second-largest player in the league. Thanks to this, KIA has recently won eight consecutive games in 751 days, rising to fourth place by 3.5 games from second place KT.

At the center is the presence of Choi Hyung-woo (40) and Na Sung-beom (34), who are in the outfield and clean-up with Socrates. Even at the age of considering retirement, Choi Hyung-woo is showing off his old age with a batting average of 0.297 in 105 games, 15 home runs, 74 RBIs and 57 points, and a 0.396 on-base percentage of 0.476 OPS 0.872. Na Sung-bum, who has escaped from a long-term injury, has been showing MVP-level performance with a batting average of 0.344, 14 home runs, 44 RBIs and 42 runs scored, and an on-base percentage of 0.644 OPS 1.055.

Among them, Choi Hyung-woo is mainly playing as a designated hitter, but he is not in the outfield. This is due to the presence of backup outfielders such as Ko Jong-wook (34), Lee Chang-jin (32), and Lee Woo-sung (29). It is usually a rare start in the second half of the game or when the main outfielders take a break due to poor physical management and condition, but it is not surprising to win a starting position in the second half of the record alone. Ko Jong-wook has a batting average of 0.366 (15 hits in 41 at-bats), one home run, eight RBIs, five runs and an OPS of 0.849 in 23 games, Lee Chang-jin has a batting average of 0.333 (9 hits in 27 at-bats), four RBIs, two steals, and Lee Woo-sung has a batting average of 0.300 (18 hits in 60 at-bats) in 28 games.

It is not only a simple record, but also a scene stealer every time it comes out. Ko Jong-wook's performance in three consecutive games over the weekend against SSG was representative. Ko Jong-wook came in instead of Hwang Dae-in in the top of the seventh inning with two outs with KIA leading 6-3 on the 2nd and hit Lee Kun-wook's first pitch cutter to hit a timely RBI to the right. In the bottom of the seventh inning, he was replaced by Oh Sun-woo and revealed to the ground in less than 15 minutes, but it was enough to boost the team's atmosphere.

In the match on the 3rd, he became the main character and showed off his crazy presence. It wasn't a start again this time. KIA and SSG stood at bat on behalf of Choi Won-joon in the top of the eighth inning with one out when they were tied 6-6. He pushed the fork of Seo Jin-yong, the No. 1 save player this season, and this became the final hit to confirm KIA's eight consecutive wins.

As such, backup outfielders, who play more than one person in any case, are putting pressure on KIA with their players on the same team and their non-stop batters on the other team. KIA manager Kim Jong-kook's improved mercenary skills, which have recently been putting them in the right place and producing results, are increasing their value.

In the baseball world, it is often said that it is more difficult to find a batter than a foreign pitcher. Although it is not the highest level in the league, it is not easy to replace Socrates, who has been performing well for two consecutive years. The fact that the overlapping positions are regrettable is a happy concern in itself. But one thing is for sure. Even Socrates' performance of backup outfielders is a great help to KIA's rise in the second half.