Samsung Lions drop David MacKinnon, player who homered as King Kong

Baseball

Samsung Lions drop David MacKinnon, player who homered as King Kong

Published: 10 Jul. 2024, 12:57 Updated: 10 Jul. 2024, 17:51

David MacKinnon runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning during the KBO All-Star game on Saturday at SSG Landers Field in Incheon. [YONHAP]

The Samsung Lions are releasing infielder David MacKinnon, the former major leaguer who joined the club on a deal worth the maximum $1 million and ended his stint in Lions' blue over the weekend with a homer during the KBO All-Star game, dressed as King Kong.

The decision to release the 29-year-old right-hander reportedly happened before the second half of that game, according to a Yonhap News Agency report.

David MacKinnon is running the bases after hitting a double in a King Kong costume on Saturday in Incheon. [YONHAP]

“Thank you to my teammates and Lions fan for making my short stay in Korea an unforgettable one. Obviously I wish it worked out differently but I’ll be rooting for my teammates from afar! I made some friends for life with the Lions! Korea and the KBO is awesome! I will miss it!” MacKinnon wrote in an X post Tuesday.

MacKinnon had also received the Outstanding Batter Award for his work at the all-star game, where he stepped up to bat in a King Kong costume.

The Daegu club requested the KBO waive MacKinnon and are closing in on a deal with an outfielder as his replacement, according to Yonhap, though it is unclear whom they might bring in as they chase a spot in the postseason.

MacKinnon is the first foreign player to get the boot from the Lions this year. He made 72 appearances with Daegu and batted an average .294, posting 36 RBIs and four home runs.

He joined the Lions ahead of the 2024 KBO season from a stint in Japan’s NPB, where he recorded a .259 batting average with the Saitama Seibu Lions in 2023. MacKinnon also spent time in the MLB with the Los Angeles Angels and the Oakland Athletics in 2022, batting an average .140 over 22 games.

David MacKinnon, center, takes a photo after receiving the Outstanding Batter Award after the 2024 KBO All-Star Game at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on Saturday. [YONHAP]

The Lions, a former KBO powerhouse who were regulars in the postseason for nearly 20 years, have become a familiar name at the bottom of the table, qualifying for the playoffs just once since 2016, and last winning the Korean Series in 2014.

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But the Lions have kept their spot in the top half of the 10-team table, sitting in fourth as of press time Wednesday before playing their first game in the second half of the regular season. They could be on the hunt for some more power as they chase the pennant and a Korean Series return.

Their best hitter, Koo Ja-wook, has the 18th-highest batting average across all players in the position this season — a .310 over 82 games.

The Lions are hosting the NC Dinos at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu where they’ll look to snap a five-game losing streak. Their first game on Tuesday was postponed due to rain.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]