“Forever Captain” Park Kyung-soo (40), who announced his retirement from active duty, will start his coaching career at KT Wiz.
“We appointed Park Kyung-soo, who retired after the end of this season, as our new coach,” the KT team said. “We will confirm the positions of the coaches including Park Kyung-soo.”
Park Kyung-soo said through the club, “I am grateful to the club and manager Lee Kang-chul for giving me a chance to start anew as a leader,” and said, “I have received suggestions from the broadcasting industry. I would also like to thank the officials for their favorable views.”
Park Kyung-soo then promised, “The specific coaching position has not been decided yet, but I will meet my juniors as a leader, not a brother. As the team coaches did for me, I will try to show my juniors a good performance as a player.”
Park Kyung-soo is a living legend in the KBO league. A graduate of Miseong Elementary School, Seongnam Middle School, and Seongnam High School, Park joined the LG Twins in 2003 through the first round of nominations. Then, ahead of the 2015 season, Park Kyung-soo moved to KT Wiz, a new team, with a four-year total of 1.82 billion won as an FA jackpot. He also served as KT’s spiritual leader for 10 years until this season, leading the Wizards’ corps. In particular, he won his first career championship and became the MVP of the Korean Series in the 2021 Korean Series with his illustrious defense.
Park, who played 107 games last season, had fewer chances to play this year. He only played in five games this season. His last game was against KIA in Suwon on April 2. However, Park played a veteran role by encouraging younger players behind the dugout. He could have retired after the end of the last season, but KT highly valued his performance and joined him, eventually continuing his career as a coach.
He was also a leader who stood out in the spirit of sacrifice. In this year’s post season, the head coach considered Park Kyung-soo’s joining the team. However, he declined. “I asked him, but he said he would never join the team,” KT coach Lee Kang-chul said of Park. In fact, he was planning to register Park in the first division entry when he joined the team in September. “I don’t think there is a player like me in defense. But he declined, saying, “Coach, I don’t think it is me.”
Park shed tears while greeting his fans after the final regular-season game at KT Wiz Park on Sept. 28. It was the last time he greeted his fans at home as an active player. KT fans gave him a big round of applause.
Park Kyung-soo played in a total of 2043 KBO league games with a batting average of 0.249 (1,396 hits in 5608) with 161 home runs, 270 doubles, 13 triples, 719 RBIs, 727 runs, 78 steals, 783 walks, 1360 strikeouts, and a 0.388 on-base percentage.
When announcing Park’s retirement, KT praised him for his sincere self-management and attitude as a professional player. “He devoted himself to leading the team for six of his 10 years as a captain (2016-2018 and 2022-2024).”
“Thanks to fans who supported me passionately, I was able to play professional for 22 years. I was so proud to finish the game by listening to the loud cheering sound of fans at the end,” Park said in his retirement speech. “I was so happy to be treated well by the club, coaches and coaches. I had the best moments, including winning the title and winning the MVP award of the Korean Series. I am grateful to my juniors. I look forward to your continued support,” he said, adding that he would meet with KT again.
Meanwhile, Park’s retirement ceremony is scheduled to take place early next season. 메이저사이트
