Kim Tae-hoon (33), the bullpen captain who played a key role in winning the 2018 Korean Series, said goodbye to SSG Landers fans.
Kim Tae-hoon’s retirement ceremony was held after the final match of the season between SSG and Doosan in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 17th.
The club planned this retirement ceremony to encourage the hard work of Kim Tae-hoon, who played an active role as the club’s ‘one-club man’ for 15 years from 2009 to 2023 and contributed decisively to winning the Korean Series for the fourth time in history in 2018.
Before the game, a fan signing event was held for 100 pre-selected people, following Kim Tae-hoon’s wish to personally express his gratitude to the fans. He also came out as the first pitcher right before the game. The sponsor was Seo Jin-yong, a closing pitcher who had been a dependable player for a long time.
After the game, commemorative gifts and flower bouquets were given, video letters from the players were shown, and retirement testimonials were read. Kim Tae-hoon spoke about his retirement in front of more than 20,000 fans that day.
Before the game, he was surrounded by reporters and gave his final interview as an active player. Kim Tae-hoon said, “The reason I decided to retire was because I had a lot of thoughts after being in the 2nd team for about two years.” He added, “There are a lot of good juniors. “I decided that I was now less competitive,” he said, looking back on the time when he decided to retire.
He was ready to leave without any regrets. Kim Tae-hoon said, “I think I’ve done everything I could while playing baseball and being on the professional stage. “I feel relieved,” he said. “I have no regrets.” I tried hard. “Then I hit a wall and decided to quit.” The man who shone on the biggest stage five years ago is leaving the field.
Kim Tae-hoon, who graduated from Donggu Elementary School, Guri Inchang Middle School, and Guri Inchang High School and joined as a first round draft pick in 2009, received the most attention on the professional stage in 2018. That year, SSG’s predecessor, SK, reached the top of the Korean Series.
At this time, Kim Tae-hoon is one of the contributors to the championship. SK finished the 2018 regular season in second place. The fall stage began with the playoffs. At that time, the playoff opponent was Nexen, the predecessor of Kiwoom. From the first game, it was a close game with 7 home runs hit by both teams.
In a battle of bullpen strength, Kim Tae-hoon allowed one scoreless inning and foreign pitcher Angel Sanchez allowed one scoreless inning. From this point on, Kim Tae-hoon perfected his waist. SK won the 1st and 2nd home games against Nexen and lost the 3rd and 4th away games. However, they succeeded in advancing to the Korean Series with an 11-10 win in Game 5. After appearing on the mound in games 1, 2, and 3, he took the mound in game 5 and continued to pitch without allowing any runs, serving as the leader of the bullpen. Kim Tae-hoon appeared in 4 playoff games and did not give up a single run in 3⅓ innings.
Kim Tae-hoon appeared in Games 1, 3, 5, and 6 of the Korean Series. On November 4, 2018, he pitched 2 scoreless innings in Game 1 of the Korean Series against Doosan, 1⅔ scoreless innings in Game 3 on the 7th, and 2 scoreless innings in Game 5 on the 10th, becoming the winning pitcher. From the playoffs to the 3rd game of the Korean Series, he was ‘Mr. Zero’.
If he had collapsed, SK would not have made it to Game 6 of the Korean Series. In Game 6 on the 12th, he allowed 1 run in 2 innings. Although ‘Mr. Tae-hoon Kim cited winning the 2018 Korean Series as the most memorable moment out of his 15 years as a professional.메이저사이트
Taehoon Kim recorded 9 wins, 3 losses, 10 holds, and an ERA of 3.83 in the 2018 regular season. He played a key role in winning the Korean Series, and in the 2019 season, he pitched in 71 games as a sure-win team, recording 4 wins, 5 losses, 7 saves, 27 holds, and an ERA of 3.88.
Manager Kim Won-hyung and Doosan pitching coach Park Jeong-bae said, “We are not old enough to retire yet. “It’s a shame,” he said. Both Coach Kim and Coach Park spent time with Kim Tae-hoon during his active years. Director Kim said, “It’s unfortunate. He also said, “I’m sorry.”
Taehoon Kim said, “I wasn’t consistent. “That’s a shame, but other than that, I don’t have any regrets,” he said. “(Roh) Kyeong-eun, (late) Hyo-jun, and (Kim) Gwang-hyeon still have a lot of status. I respect you. “They are great players,” he said.
Kim Tae-hoon also recorded a perfect score in Michuholgi in 2008 during his high school days. He said that winning the 2018 Korean Series was the most memorable thing in his baseball career so far.
He takes off his active duty uniform with relief. He said, “I am always grateful for the continued interest shown until the end. “I will try my best to live my life,” he said. Kim Tae-hoon makes a new start by teaching aspiring baseball players as a pitching coach at Incheon Geomdan.