Austin Dean of the LG Twins won the home run race at the 2024 All-Star Game.
Austin won the All-Star Friday Home Run Race at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on Friday.
Austin had previously tied for second place with Do-Young Kim of the KIA Tigers, who hit four home runs in the first round. Jonathan Peraza of the No. 1 Hanwha Eagles (nine) advanced to the finals early.
Austin won the psychological warfare advantage with a single home run in the Sudden Death against Kim Do-young.
The final against Peraza was also a battle. Austin barely hit four, while Peraza already had four with two outs. However, he didn't hit a single one after that, sending the match into a final sudden death.
It was a close game, and Austin squeaked out the win. He had the support of his son, Dallas, and his wife, who watched him with wide eyes the entire time. Austin embraced LG manager In-seok Seo, who threw him the batting ball.
After the game, Austin said, "Honestly, I didn't expect anything. It's my second year, and I came out with the intention of having fun... I didn't expect to play Sudden Death twice, win both games, and win the championship. I've never experienced anything like this before," he laughed.
The pitcher he handpicked was manager Seo In-seok. He is the first team manager who manages the schedule of LG's first team squad and is a former player himself. He worked as a bullpen catcher for LG for a while before becoming a manager.
He fell in love with the batting ball when he saw it being thrown in training. "I jokingly said, 'If I'm ever in a home run race, throw me one,' and it became a reality," he says.
"He was probably more nervous than I was, but he did a great job," Austin said, adding that he would give all the winnings to his manager, which was a heartwarming touch. The winner of the Home Run Derby received 5 million won and an LG CineBeam Cube, the runner-up (Peraza) received 1 million won, and the distance winner (KT Wiz Rojas, 130 meters) received a Galaxy Tab S9.
When asked about his son's impressions, Austin replied, "He can only say, 'Give me the ball, mom and dad,'" and his innocent demeanor made the audience laugh.
"When you get married and have a child, your power as a parent increases. I felt like I was playing with my wife and child, and I ended up winning. I was actually cheering for her as a fellow foreign player. I thought she would lose in the Sudden Death against Kim Do-young, but I think she was a little nervous because it was her first All-Star Week."
"It's a secret," Austin laughed, "but I think Dawson (Kium Heroes) is going to win. He's got a lot of showmanship. Off the field, he's great to me and my family. I wish him the best."
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