Eric Thames (37), who announced his retirement on the 16th, is regarded as one of the best foreign hitters in KBO League history. The impact he left at NC Dinos for three years (2014-2016 season) was strong enough to erase representative players in the early days of the system, such as Tyrone Woods and Jose Felix.
The fact that he re-entered the Major League (MLB) with good treatment ($16 million) and remains as a representative example of reverse export is a pride of Korean baseball fans. Through social media (SNS), Thames said, “I never thought I would fall in love with a country so quickly.온라인바카라 I didn’t know that playing in the KBO League would be so much fun. I will visit Korea often. If you see me, don’t hesitate to say hello.” said goodbye.
With the retirement of Thames, his all-time performance is also being re-examined. He holds two records, the first and still only in the KBO League. The performance off the field was also unrivaled.
On April 9, 2015, against the KIA Tigers, Thames achieved the 17th all-time, and the second foreign player cycling hit since Martinez (then Samsung Lions) in 2001. He started with a right-handed double in his first at-bat, followed by a single, home run, and triple.
On this day, Doosan Bears pitcher Maya Youneski achieved a no-hitter at Jamsil Stadium. Thames’ great record also diverged attention. However, just four months later, on August 11, in the match against Mokdong Nexen Heroes (currently Kiwoom), Thames made another cycling hit. He recorded hits, home runs, triples, and doubles in four at-bats.
Yang Jun-hyeok (retired in 1996 and 2003) was the only player to have achieved this record twice since the league was launched in 1982. Thames No. 2. But Thames was the first player to make two cycling hits in a single season. After that, this record came out 11 more times until the 2022 season, but all of them were done by different players. On this day, his 99th appearance of the season, Thames broke the record of 100 RBIs and 100 runs, breaking the record of 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored by Lee Seung-yeop (current Doosan coach) in the minimum game (previous 104 games).
Thames also became the first ever to join the 40 home run-40 stolen base club. It was 2015 that ran like a storm. On October 2nd, with three games left in the regular season, he filled up the stolen base that was lacking by one to a record in the match against Munhak SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers). He has already marked 47 home runs. He enjoyed the joy with the base after succeeding in stealing second base in the top of the 3rd inning with NC leading 4-0.
Thames, who had an all-time great season, finished the 2015 regular season with a batting average of 0.381, 47 home runs, 140 RBIs and 130 runs. He also won the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The third representative scene left by Thames came from the crowd, not from the ground. Having played the 2017 season as a member of the MLB Milwaukee Brewers, he appeared at Jamsil Stadium in the first leg of the KBO League playoffs (PO) held on October 17th. I came here to cheer for NC, my home team against the Doosan Bears. On this day, he climbed the crane and waved the NC flag, enthralling the cheering crowd. Thames was the only ‘former’ foreign player to serve as the cheer leader.
Thames left a mark in Korean professional baseball and was loved by fans. He conveyed the end of his career as a player and did not forget to thank Korean fans