After 714 Days of Waiting: LG's Moon Sung-ju Finally Breaks His Home Run Drought

The Long-Awaited Moment

Can you imagine waiting nearly two years for a single home run? That was Moon Sung-ju's reality until July 20, 2025, when he finally heard the sweet crack of the bat sending the ball over the fence at Jamsil Stadium[web:7][web:13]. The LG Twins outfielder had gone 714 days without a home run, dating back to August 6, 2023, against the Samsung Lions[web:7][web:16]. This wasn't just any home run, it was a game-tying solo shot in the first inning against Lotte Giants starter Lee Min-seok that ignited LG's eventual 3-2 victory[web:13][web:16].

Moon's reaction after the game revealed just how much mental pressure he'd been carrying. I honestly just hoped it would be a double, he admitted with a smile. Since I hadn't hit a home run in so long, I was just hoping to get on base[web:7]. The ball barely cleared the left field wall with a distance of 110.6 meters, but it was enough to end the drought and lift an enormous weight off his shoulders[web:13]. Korean baseball fans on Naver and community forums erupted with support, celebrating not just the home run but Moon's perseverance through the difficult stretch[web:21][web:24].

More Than Just a Home Run

Moon Sung-ju didn't stop at the home run, he put together a complete performance that showcased why he's become essential to LG's championship aspirations[web:16][web:26]. Going 4-for-4 with 3 hits, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored, Moon was the only LG player to record multiple hits that day[web:7][web:13]. In the fifth inning, with the score tied 1-1, he drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single in a two-out, runner-on-third situation[web:13][web:16].

But perhaps his most crucial contribution came in the eighth inning when LG desperately needed baserunners. Leading off the inning with the score tied 2-2, Moon ripped a double to right field against Lotte closer Choi Jun-yong. His direct ball timing met the changeup perfectly, Moon explained afterward, crediting both skill and a bit of luck[web:13]. That double set the stage for Moon Bo-gyeong's game-winning RBI later in the inning[web:13][web:16]. Moon's defensive play was equally impressive, he threw out Victor Reyes at home plate in the first inning with a perfect strike, preventing Lotte from taking an early lead after rookie Park Gwan-woo's fielding error[web:7][web:13].

Breaking Through Mental Barriers

The home run drought had become more than just a statistical anomaly, it was a mental challenge that Moon acknowledged openly[web:18][web:26]. There were so many balls that should have been home runs but were caught at the fence, Moon revealed. It really weighed on my mind[web:7][web:13]. After hitting 6 home runs in 2022, Moon managed just 2 in 2023 and incredibly, zero in the entire 2024 season despite playing 96 games and maintaining a solid .315 batting average[web:21][web:26].

Moon attributed the power outage to multiple factors, including changes in the official baseball since 2022 and his home ballpark dimensions. The ball is different from 2022, and I hit a lot of my homers that year in smaller stadiums, he analyzed[web:26]. Rather than forcing power, Moon made a crucial adjustment: he stopped chasing home runs altogether. I gave up my greed for extra-base hits and focused on maintaining my batting balance, he explained in a follow-up interview[web:44]. This mental shift proved transformative, as Moon entered late September hitting .321, fifth-best in the entire KBO League[web:44][web:47].

Impact on LG's Championship Push

Moon Sung-ju's resurgence couldn't have come at a better time for the LG Twins[web:8][web:24]. The team was battling to maintain second place and eventually clinched the 2025 regular season championship with an 85-56-3 record on October 1[web:33][web:43]. Moon's contributions throughout the season were vital to this success, appearing in 118 games and maintaining that impressive .321 batting average while providing versatility in the outfield[web:44][web:47].

His late-season surge was particularly remarkable. Starting August 23 against KIA, Moon put together a 10-game hitting streak, recording multi-hit games in 7 of those contests[web:44]. During this stretch, he posted an absurd .512 batting average with 2 home runs including a dramatic grand slam against KT on September 4 and 12 RBIs[web:5][web:27][web:44]. Korean baseball blogs and community sites like DCInside and Naver praised Moon as one of the hottest hitters down the stretch, with fans marveling at his transformation from a player drafted in the 10th round of the 2018 draft to a key contributor on a championship team[web:24][web:44][web:47]. Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop lauded Moon's clutch ability, noting that he delivers in the team's most critical moments[web:44]. With LG advancing directly to the Korean Series starting October 25, Moon's journey from a 714-day drought to championship contender exemplifies the perseverance and mental toughness that defines Korean baseball culture[web:43][web:49].