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| The 2021 KBO League Kiwoom Heroes and LG Twins game was held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 20th. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Kiwoom's Cho Sang-woo is pitching hard. Jamsil = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2021.10.20/ |
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| A suspended match between Samsung and KIA in Game 1 of the Korean Series at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 23rd. Director Lee Bum-ho is smiling. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.10.23 |
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"We were very worried about sending Jang Hyun-sik, but I'm just grateful that the general manager did a good job of reinforcing the power."
KIA Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho finally smiled with relief. KIA handed over 1 billion won in cash to Kiwoom Heroes on the 19th and the first and fourth rounds of rookie nominations in 2026 and made a trade to recruit closer Cho Sang-woo (30). KIA thought about how to fill the vacancy while FA Jang Hyun-sik (29), who was a key bullpen, signed a four-year contract with the LG Twins for 5.2 billion won and left the team, and eventually succeeded in recruiting Cho Sang-woo, who had been watching with interest.
The trade was made because KIA wanted it first. KIA general manager Shim Jae-hak contacted Kiwoom general manager Ko Hyung-wook to meet an hour before the Golden Glove Awards on the 13th, and offered Cho Sang-woo trade at the meeting. Amid the formation of a consensus between the two teams, they tied the knot on the day when the executive committee was held on the 16th and 17th.
In a phone call with Sports Chosun shortly after Cho Sang-woo was recruited, coach Lee said, `I've seen a lot of people think about the best way for our team next season in various fields and parts. I'm just grateful because I've seen him move carefully when recruiting Cho Sang-woo."
After graduating from Daejeon High School, right-handed Cho Sang-woo joined the Heroes as the No. 1 overall pick in the first round in 2013, he returned this season after completing his alternative military service as a social service worker (2022-2023). He also played for the 2015 and 2019 Premier 12 and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The overall performance in the nine KBO League seasons is 343 games, 33 wins and 25 losses, 54 holds, 88 saves, and a 3.11 ERA.
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| LG 트윈스 장현식. Photo courtesy = LG Twins |
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| A match between the Kiwoom Heroes and the Samsung Lions at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 26th. Kiwoom Cho Sang-woo is catching his breath. Gocheok = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.04.26/ |
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An official from KIA said "We pushed for this trade by agreeing with the field about the need to strengthen the bullpen. Cho Sang-woo is a proven pitcher who combines a 150km fastball and sharp slider with various pitches such as splitter, change-up, and curve. As he has played a must-win role in the KBO League and international competitions so far, he said, "I expect it to be of great help to the team in the future."
Manager Lee said "He's a very good pitcher, and he had a little bad time last season after serving in the military, but I think he has a good ability." Now that I'm 30 years old, I think I'm a very good friend, so if I come to our team, I think the team itself can rise. We were also very worried about the place where Jang Hyun-sik was sent, but the general manager did a good job of reinforcing the power. "
Cho Sang-woo was Kiwoom's representative closing pitcher who won the first save king in 2020 with 33 saves. Naturally, the competition with KIA closer Jung Hae-young (23) is drawn. Jung Hae-young was the first nominee in 2020 and kept the back door of KIA in earnest from 2021. The total number of saves in the five professional seasons has already reached 121. Jung Hae-young also set a new record for the youngest 100 saves in KBO history at the age of 22.
Coach Lee seemed to be leaning toward Jung Hae-young right now, but he left all possibilities open. He said "Cho Sang-woo should come and meet and talk to Jung Hae-young and the pitching coaches, but I'm trying to keep the framework as it is. Whether to put Cho Sang-woo in Jang Hyun-sik's place or put him back a little more, I think we need to think in detail as we start spring camp and prepare for the season," he declined to comment.
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| Game 2 of a doubleheader between Kiwoom and Doosan at Jamsil Stadium on the 21st. Jo Sang-woo took the mound in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jamsil = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.4.21/ |
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