'Incheon Baseball'He was a 23-year-old one-club man, but ended in one season 'Destination Life', and the last fan greeting 'Nippert'?
Oct 03, 2024
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On the 2nd, Hanwha announced a total of seven players who decided not to renew their contracts. Among them were three players who expressed their intention to retire. The retired players are Jung Woo-ram, who recently had a retirement ceremony, and outfielder Kim Kang-min and Lee Myung-ki.
Kim Kang-min, who was a "One Clubman in 2023" decided to retire after living in Hanwha for a year.
Kim Kang-min, who started his professional career in the second round (18th overall) of the SK Wyverns (currently SSG Landers) in 2001, was a "one-club man" who played for SSG after SK for 23 years. It was like a `romantic' to Incheon baseball fans, showing a wide range of defense and the ability to hit a single shot at an important moment.
In the heyday of 'Incheon Baseball', there was Kim Kang-min. He led the Korean Series to five championships in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2018, and 2022. In particular, in Game 5 of the 2022 Korean Series against the Kiwoom Heroes, he came out as a pinch hitter and hit a walk-off home run, winning the oldest Korean Series MVP.
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In the second draft, which took place after last season, Kim Kang-min was excluded from the list of 35 protected players. Hanwha, which lacked outfield resources, nominated experienced Kim Kang-min in the fourth round, judging that it would be helpful. In the aftermath of missing Kim Kang-min, SSG's general manager has also changed.
He suddenly transferred, but Kim Kang-min adjusted smoothly. Hanwha also made Kim Kang-min play the game by managing him rather than starting the entire game in consideration of his age. Kim Kang-min had a batting average of 2.24 with one homer and seven RBIs in 41 games this season. The hamstring injury came, and the head shot continued. Eventually, he decided to retire at the end of the season.
Kim Kang-min appeared in 1,060 games and finished his active career with a batting average of 273, 139 home runs, 681 RBIs, 810 runs and 209 steals, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.748 points.
Although retiring at Hanwha, a player who symbolized 'Incheon' However, he last played for Hanwha and also delivered know-how to young players.
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Nippert joined Doosan in 2011, and Nippert played for Doosan until 2017. However, he failed to renew his contract with Doosan after the end of the 2017 season and played for KT in 2018. He will retire after playing in 29 games with KT and recording 8-8 losses with a 4.25 ERA. The retirement ceremony requirements were sufficient, with the longest number of foreigners ever and the first 100 wins for foreign pitchers. Eventually, he was registered as Doosan's special entry and was able to convey greetings to fans.
Regardless of where the subject is, it is likely to be a game between Hanwha and SSG next season. First of all, Hanwha said "As the season is over, we will discuss plans for the retirement ceremony in the future."
Meanwhile, Lee Myung-ki is retiring along with Kim Kang-min. Lee Myung-ki, who wore the SK uniform in the second eighth round (63rd overall) in 2006, joined the Hanwha uniform last year after playing for KIA and NC.
He injured his ankle while stealing last year and had surgery, and finished the season with a 14-game trip, and this season he will play only four games in the first team.
In addition, Hanwha notified pitcher Lee Seung-kwan, Junghoon Lee catcher Lee Jae-yong, and outfielder Kim Sun-dong of the release.
bellstop@sportschosun.com
