Are you really 40 years old? The league's best bullpen, the first two consecutive 30-holds milestone in history
Aug 15, 2024
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Noh Kyung-eun took the mound in a crisis with one out and second base in the bottom of the sixth inning when SSG led 4-3 in an away game against the NC Dinos at Changwon NC Park on the 15th. Noh Kyung-eun, who faced Park Si-won as the first batter, struck out swinging, and blocked the inning by striking out Kim Joo-won with two outs and second base. Noh Kyung-eun, who finished the sixth inning by striking out both batters, was replaced by Han Doo-sol ahead of the defense in the bottom of the seventh inning after meeting the hold requirements.
Along with his 30th hold this season, Noh Kyung-eun even wrote a milestone of surpassing 30 holds for the first time in KBO league history for two consecutive years. In addition to Noh Kyung-eun, there were 11 more bullpen pitchers who achieved more than 30 holds in a season. In 2006, Kwon Oh-joon (Samsung) became the first pitcher to break through 30 holds with 32 holds, and in 2019, Kim Sang-soo (Kium) reached the 40-hold mark for the first time.
Noh Kyung-eun recorded her first 30 holds since her professional debut last year, and exceeded 30 holds again this year. Of the 11 pitchers who previously reached 30 holds, none of them achieved the record for the second consecutive year.
After Sovereignty (KT) recorded 31 holds in 2020, it unfortunately stopped at 27 holds the following year, and Jang Hyun-sik recorded 19 holds the following year when he achieved 34 holds in 2021. Some players changed their positions with the finishing touch, and injuries and sluggishness overlapped.
That's how great a milestone it is. A record that he was able to achieve because he pitched in many games without injury for two consecutive seasons and completed his duties with holding requirements.
Furthermore, Noh Kyung-eun was born in 1984 and is 40 years old this year. Although he is over the hump, he is playing as the league's best bullpen pitcher with more skillful and stable pitching than he was in his 20s.
Until now, all pitchers who have stepped on the 30-hold mark first have ranked first in the league's hold for the season. Noh Kyung-eun achieved 30 holds last year, but Park Young-hyun (KT), who reached first, won the 'Hold King' with 32 holds, ranking second in this category. If she wins 'Hold King' this year, Noh Kyung-eun will be honored with an individual title for the first time since her professional debut.
youll@sportschosun.com
