Bears catcher Yang Eui-ji wins 9th Golden Glove, one shy of KBO record

Winners of the Golden Glove Awards in the Korea Baseball Organization pose for photos during the award ceremony in Seoul on Dec. 11. From left: Kiwoom Heroes second baseman Kim Hye-seong, NC Dinos outfielder Park Kun-woo, Hanwha Eagles third baseman Roh Si-hwan, Doosan Bears catcher Yang Eui-ji, Dinos designated hitter Son Ah-seop, Samsung Lions outfielder Koo Ja-wook, LG Twins outfielder Hong Chang-ki and Twins shortstop Oh Ji-hwan. Yonhap

Doosan Bears catcher Yang Eui-ji captured his ninth career Golden Glove on Monday, moving within one of tying the record in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).

Yang collected 214 out of 291 votes cast by members of KBO media, beating out LG Twins backstop Park Dong-won, who earned 63 votes.

Yang has won a record eight Golden Gloves as catcher and one as designated hitter. Only Lee Seung-yuop, former Samsung Lions slugger and Yang's current manager with the Bears, has won more Golden Gloves than Yang with 10.

At 36 years, six months and six days old, Yang also became the oldest catcher to win a Golden Glove.

"I'm really grateful for this honor. I will try to set a good example for younger athletes on and off the field," Yang said. "I hope manager Lee will have more to cheer about next year, and I'll try to put the team back on top."

Lee said he would love to see Yang break his record by 2025.

"For someone who is retired, the record for most Golden Gloves doesn't mean anything," Lee said. "I hope Eui-ji takes care of his body and gets to 11 Golden Gloves." (Yonhap)