Woo Kyu-min (39), who is now a member of the Wizards University, visited KT Wiz Park in Suwon on last Thursday to receive supplies from his club. He was greeted by many good looks. They were Park Kyung-soo (40), his best friend, and Park Byung-ho (38), two years younger than him, who came to the stadium for personal training. There was also Bae Jeong-dae (29), who briefly shared a room with him in 2014. He reunited with his old teammates at the KT Wiz.
“The three of us were talking for the first time in a while, and the team laughed. They laughed as if they were going back to their childhood, but they seemed immature. It was so nice and fun. Who knew we would meet like this when we were in our 40s and were about to retire? It’s amazing.” Park Byung-ho also welcomed Woo, saying, “It was great to see you as a close friend since LG. I believe you will be a great help to our team’s mound.”
Their relationship goes back as far as 20 years. Woo, a former rookie draft third-rounder in 2003, met Park Kyung-soo, who was the first candidate at the time, when he joined the club. Two years later, Woo became acquainted with Park Byung-ho, the first candidate, in 2005. All three players were named in the top order.
The three did not grow as much as expected. As a result, they were divided into Nexen Heroes (currently Kiwoom and Park Byung-ho), KT (Park Kyung-soo), and Samsung Lions (Woo Kyu-min). Still, their friendship continued as they spent tough rookie days together. They had imagined themselves playing for the same team someday and realized their dream in 2024.
In November last year, when the second draft confirmed the transfer of the KT Wiz, Woo Kyu-min cheered. He immediately asked for Park’s address. Then, he found a house three minutes away by car. He also called Park Byung-ho and shouted, “This (playing as one team) is real.” “I’m still excited. I still can’t believe I’m with them,” Woo said with a smile.
“Watching (Park) Kyung-soo and (Park) Byeong-ho reminded me of the hard times. When I was a rookie, I got scolded a lot by LG and played baseball. I never expected that we would meet again in the same team as veterans. I’m so happy and grateful to have this opportunity,” he said with a smile.
Now my goal is to wear the ring with my friends. Park had won the title at KT in 2021, but Park and Woo have never won. As Park’s career is nearing the end, the two players have strong commitment to win the title. Having suffered a setback in the third Korean Series last year, Park has been on the field since late November and has been focusing on individual training. Woo has also been exercising hard including Pilates and swimming. “This is the best body I’ve ever seen,” testifies to his best friend Park. 헤라카지노
Woo Kyu-min said, “My dream is to win the championship together as we are together with my friends for the first time in a long time.” “KT captain (Park) Kyung-soo asked me to lead the team well, which has many young players. I will become a player who helps the team win by creating synergy with young pitchers,” he said.
