"It's still worth it" Heartbreaking farewell after being notified of release, baseball never gives up

Oct 09, 2024

Park Minho. Sports Chosun DB

"I understand the direction of the club. Just to think it's a new turning point."

Incheon-born sidearm pitcher Park Min-ho was recently notified of his release by his team SSG Landers. He will leave the team with Ko Hyo-joon, Kang Jin-sung, and Choi Kyung-mo.

He graduated from Incheon to university and was a fan of the SK Wyverns (currently SSG) even before joining the team. I grew up here and played as a professional player for my team, so my affection was even greater. However, when he was notified of his release, Park Min-ho thought "It's here."

In a telephone interview with Sports Chosun, he had been given the opportunity to play in the first team earlier this season. I think I pitched well myself. In mid-June, he came down to the second division while sluggish, and time passed while preparing for the second half, but it was already October. "I threw well in the second division and the ball was good (there was no chance)," he said.

Park Min-ho's Futures League performance this season was also selected as the MVP of the team's selection game several times, preventing a 6-hold ERA of 2.67.2-3 innings in 19 games.

However, it was not easy to give Park Min-ho many opportunities as SSG entered the rebuilding mode as a whole, including the bullpen. At the end of the season, Shin Heon-min, Park Si-hoo, Park Sung-bin and Jung Dong-yoon gained experience by taking the mound at a time when the score gap widened. Park Min-ho was also born in 1992 in his early 30s, but he had no choice but to give up a chance to his relatively young juniors.

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He said he understood the club. Park Min-ho "I know the direction of the club. I've been in this team for a long time, and I can see how they make the team. I was notified while I thought I wouldn't have a chance. I thought the club was also trying to start next season properly. Of course, I respect the club's opinion."

Park Min-ho, who had been together for a long time and had a good relationship with senior and junior players and front staff, smiled and said goodbye fondly. Park Min-ho hugged not only the president and the general manager but also the front team leaders. He sent it as if he was going to leave somewhere, not 'you go out'. I didn't feel bad. However, I was going to pack up and go (on the day I was notified of the release), but the players came out and blocked the car not to go. Hurry up and go in and exercise." I was grateful, but I felt the regret of the breakup.

I've always been desperate about baseball, but now I have a new desperation. Since he married in December last year and is the head of a family, he cannot let go of baseball just because he was notified of his release. Even after his release, he has continued his personal training by throwing balls at baseball academies run by Kim Tae-hoon.

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Park Min-ho said "The offerings are still worth using. I've tried selection, finishing, and middle. I don't think everyone can be a fastball pitcher who throws 150km. Obviously, I think there is still a role that a pitcher like me can play. There is no pain at all now, and in the Futures League, he pitched 2-3 innings every time he took the mound until the end of the season. I think it's still my competitiveness that I can throw long balls and block them efficiently with fewer pitches in one inning"I think this year has been the best for me than the last two or three years. So I was released, but I decided to make a good body and throw it again," he vowed.

Of course, it's a shame to leave the friendly team. Park Min-ho referred to himself as the 「Forever SSG fan」. He is an SSG fan even if he goes to another team. However, until now, I have lived in Incheon and have just played baseball since joining SK. Now that I'm trying to find a way to live, I should do better. There is still a role I can play, and I have the confidence to do well enough. I'm going to try without giving up."

youll@sportschosun.com