Daegu: Samsung Lions reliever Lee Ho-sung is soft-spoken and introverted by nature. But once he takes the mound, the 21-year-old wills himself into becoming an outwardly fiery athlete, someone who celebrates a big strikeout with a primal scream.

According to Yonhap News Agency, in the 2025 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason, Lee has had a lot to scream about. He has pitched in all three games of the best-of-five series against the Hanwha Eagles so far and has struck out seven batters in only three innings. He had three punchouts in two innings in the previous series against the SSG Landers.

All told, Lee is pitching and celebrating like someone who's been there and done that, not a postseason rookie. "I've been trying to show more energy and fire on the field," Lee said in his typically quiet voice before Game 4 against the Eagles at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. "I've always been a quiet person, but I've long thought about changing that personality at least while I am on the mound. So I am trying to be a completely different person during games."

Lee mentioned that some of his older teammates had also suggested he should try to show something different on the field. "In some ways, a baseball field is like a battleground. You have to beat the opponent, and I didn't think I could do that being the mild-mannered person that I am off the field," Lee said. "So since the end of last year, I've been trying to show a more fiery side."

Amid all the fist-pumping and yelling, Lee is also trying to draw the line. "I don't want to upset the other team too much," he said. "But if I can do something to fire up the rest of my team and create energy for my teammates, it can also give me some confidence."

Lee said he has indeed been growing more confident with each postseason outing, something that he wasn't able to do during the regular season when he only had a 6.34 ERA. "It's all between the ears. I think I doubted myself too much when I struggled with command at times, even though I still had the ability to overpower hitters," Lee said. "In the postseason, there's barely enough time to feel sorry for yourself. You have to focus on giving your all every time out. So that has allowed me to pitch the way I have so far."