Kang Min-ho (39), a catcher of the Samsung Lions in professional baseball, has lived this entire season with the words, “I want to smell the Korean Series.” It was understandable. Since his professional debut in 2004, he has played in 2,369 games in the first division, setting a record for the most appearances in professional baseball, but he has never played in the Korean Series until last year.
He played in the playoffs in 2011, 2012, and 2021 for the Lotte Giants, but failed to advance to the Korean Series. He showed his lethargy in the 2021 playoffs after moving to Samsung, which caused regret.
In 136 games this season, he played a batting average of .33 (122 hits in 403 times at bat) with 19 homers, 77 RBIs, 48 runs and three steals, and led pitchers well as main catcher. As the eldest among fielders, he also played a role in setting the mood of the team.
Looking back on this season, head coach Park Jin-man also said, “Kang Min-ho set the team’s atmosphere well as a veteran. I think Kang Min-ho gave captain Koo Ja-wook a lot of strength, and Koo Ja-wook also strengthened the atmosphere in the middle of the team as he could.” 메이저놀이터
As Kang Min-ho desperately wished, Samsung advanced to the Korean Series for the first time in nine years, but failed to overcome the barrier of the KIA Tigers and ended up in second place. “I don’t feel good. I will prepare better,” Kang told reporters after Game 5 of the Korean Series. Tears welled up in his eyes.
He endured right hamstring pain and kept his home ground until Game 4 of the Korean Series, but his condition worsened to the point that he could no longer play, so he stayed on the bench throughout Game 5. “It’s a stage I’ve been dreaming of for a long time, so honestly, I don’t need to be sick. I’m really upset, but I’ll prepare well and make sure I get revenge next year,” he said.
Having advanced to the Korean Series for the first time since his debut, he gave credit to his teammates. “I was able to meet a good team member and have a good experience. Now that (the season) is over, I want to rest well and prepare well for next year to end the season well,” he said.
“My dream was to advance to the Korean Series, but now I have a bigger dream. As expected, there is no end to a person’s greed. I will make sure to win the championship at the end because I am not that far from retirement,” he added.
Kang expressed his gratitude to the fans for their consistent support. “Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. We were able to come here thanks to the fans who always filled the stadium when things were tough. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I will try to find a way to repay you.”
