I think it will be memorable for me for the rest of my life to play at the ballpark with my seniors and juniors in Samsung uniforms

Infielder Kim Dong-jin, who was recently notified of his release by the Samsung Lions, left a final greeting to his fans on his SNS account.안전놀이터

Kim began by saying, "Hello, I'm Kim Dong-jin." "My time with the Lions was short for me, but I think it will be a memorable moment for me and an honor for me to play in the baseball stadium with my seniors and juniors," he said.

"It's a pity that I couldn't take the opportunity because I wasn't good enough. Nevertheless, I'm so grateful to the fans for their consistent support and love," he said. "I'll cherish and support beautiful times in my heart forever! Way to go, Samsung Lions."

In Kim Dong-jin's post, catcher Lee Byung-hun, pitcher Choi Ji-kwang, and infielder Lee Chang-yong, who played together at Samsung, left a post to cheer for a new start.

Kim Dong-jin is a player with a dramatic story. He was drafted after graduating from Seorak High School, but was not selected. After going to Gangneung Yeongdong University, he had to take a break while undergoing elbow surgery. Later, he tried to solve the military problem as a public service worker, but he got confused due to the large number of applicants, and there was also a bad news that the KBO rookie draft had to be postponed due to a dropout from the university.

At the same time, Kim Dong-jin, who had continued his career in the independent league, drew attention by playing the role of Kang Doo-ki, a 20-win pitcher, in the popular SBS drama "Stove League" in 2020.

Kim Dong-jin, who made a strong impression in the tryout held in September 2020, achieved his dream of becoming a professional by receiving the 43rd pick in the second round of the fifth round of the rookie draft that year.

In the 2021 season, he played in the Futures League alone. He had a batting average of 0.29647 with 19 RBIs and 26 runs scored in 63 games. He performed as the first team player of his dreams in 2022. He had one hit in five games. He increased his chances to play in 2023. He had a batting average of 0.262, 32 hits, eight RBIs and 14 runs in 44 games, serving as a backup.

He also got a taste of his first home run since his debut in this season. He hit his first home run against Kim Jin-seong at a match against the LG Twins in Daegu on June 11. "I haven't hit a home run even in the second division. I'm preparing to play anytime. I'm focusing on defense rather than hitting," Kim said at the time.

However, he was not given the opportunity easily. He played in 30 games, but only had a batting average of 0.108 (four hits in 37 times at bat). There were more days when the game was canceled (137 days) than the days when he played in the first team (53 days). On Sept. 1, the game against the Kia Tigers in Daegu became the last game in which he played in Samsung's uniform. Kim Dong-jin failed to make the postseason entry. The overall record he left for Samsung is a batting average of 0.227 with 37 hits, one homer, 10 RBIs and 19 runs in 79 games.

Though not spectacular, he played the backup role brilliantly. He is still 28. He is in full swing. Will he be able to find a new destination.