'Was there an ordeal for this?' Pitcher, who was retiring due to release, was in his prime at 40 years old

Aug 16, 2024

No Kyung-eun posing with a 30-hold memorial for two consecutive years. Photo =SSG Landers

A pitcher who is overcoming trials and spending his prime at the age of 40. 'Human victory' is a message from Noh Kyung-eun.

SSG Landers Noh Kyung-eun wrote this KBO league record for the first time. 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.

Roh Kyung-eun as a rookie in 2003. Sports Chosun DB

It is a major reversal of Noh Kyung-eun, who was born in 1984 and entered her 40s this year. Noh Kyung-eun's baseball life was in turmoil. After graduating from Seongnam High School, he received tremendous expectations and attention from the time he joined the Doosan Bears as the first rookie of the year in 2003. He, who was followed by the label 'Unfinished Standby', embraced Poten, who did not explode, and won 12 games and won his first double-digit victory after 10 years of joining in 2012. And he seemed to finally see the light with 10 wins for the second consecutive year and stable performance of the starting lineup, but he accepted a shocking report card with 15 losses (3 wins) and an ERA of 9.03 the following year.

In 2016, when the slump continued, there was a commotion to announce his retirement once, but he was traded to Lotte Giants, making a new start in the second team. Noh Kyung-eun, who seemed to be reviving by winning nine games in the 2018 season at Lotte, also signed an FA contract, but was released after the 2021 season ended after a slump.

Noh Kyung-eun, who took the mound in the Korean Series in the 2022 season. Sports Chosun DB

SSG reached out to Noh Kyung-eun, who was at the crossroads of retirement. And after the transfer, the reversal began. In that year, Noh Kyung-eun was reborn as a 12-win pitcher between the starting pitcher and the bullpen, and SSG succeeded in winning the integrated title of 'Wire to Wire'. Noh Kyung was also a leading player in the championship. Last year, he played a key role in the must-win group and won 30 holds. And this year, he maintained his skills unchanged and even recorded his first KBO League record. Having almost retired twice, unfinished standby is now a complete veteran must-win pitcher who is in his 40s.

After achieving the milestone, Noh Kyung-eun "It seems to be setting such a milestone in life. I think it will be the most valuable record in my baseball life. It is a record that gave meaning to baseball life. I thought that there must have been an ordeal so far to set such a record. The moment I achieved the record, the moments of my past baseball life passed like a film. I was deeply moved.

There is still a goal. Since there are still more than 30 games left, it is also possible to set a new club hold record. Noh Kyung-eun "As far as I know, the team's most holds are 34 holds (SK Park Hee-soo in 2012). The next target is 35 holds. I still have a lot of games left, so I want to try it"He expressed his determination.

He also said "Hold cannot be recorded alone. This is possible because there were coaches, coaches, and teammates who trusted and allowed them to play. Thank you to everyone."

youll@sportschosun.com