*This content was translated by AI.
Hwang Jae-gyun (39), who announced his retirement from active duty last month, announced his intention to leave the ground for the time being.
Hwang Jae-gyun appeared at a youth clinic held at LG Champions Park in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do on the 7th for the first time in a long time. At the event, co-hosted by the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) Secretariat and San Francisco, San Francisco CEO Larry Baer, Buster Posey, general manager Jack Minasian, Bytello, player representatives Lee Jung-hoo and Willy Adames also wore ivory uniforms for the first time in a long time.
San Francisco has not forgotten its brief relationship. Hwang Jae-gyun, who finished the 2016 season and became the first FA, entered the Major League by signing a split contract with San Francisco. He started the 2017 season in the minor leagues, but he was dramatically called up to the major leagues and became the 21st Korean major leaguer. His Major League performance was 0.154 (8 hits in 52 times at bat), one homer, five RBIs and two runs, and OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.459 in 18 games.
Earlier, San Francisco CEO Baer said, "Hwang Jae-gyun, who was with San Francisco as a special guest, will also attend the clinic. I wanted to celebrate my retirement. I also wanted to let you know that if you played for the Giants, you are forever family," he stressed.
Hwang Jae-gyun, who heard this from reporters, said, "He (CEO Baeer) doesn't know me..." but added, "Of course, I feel good." It was really brief, and it's an honor just to remember it. Posey also remembered me," he said.
"(Lee) Jung-hoo called me. He asked if he could come and said he could do it willingly. Young children teach them whenever they have a chance, so there's no big problem," he said. "I was there for a while, but I was glad that Jung-hoo went to the team I was on. Also, seeing an event like this in San Francisco, I think Jung-hoo is amazing. I feel great to invite you to such an event," he said with a smile.
It was also a uniform worn by Hwang Jae-gyun for the first time in a long time. On the 19th of last month, Hwang Jae-gyun said goodbye to the ground he had been attached to for 20 years. Hwang Jae-kyun, who declared his fourth FA after the end of last season, chose to retire after consideration after receiving a proposal from his original team KT Wiz. It was the first time in 20 years since he joined the Hyundai Unicorns as the 24th in the second round of the 2006 KBO Rookie Draft. The KBO's career record is 0.285 batting average (2266 hits in 7,937 at-bats), 227 home runs, 1121 RBIs, 1172 runs and 235 steals, and a 0.349 slugging percentage.
Hwang Jae-gyun, who made his first public appearance after retirement, said, "I don't know which direction I'm going to go yet. Thankfully, there are people who are looking for me, so I'm thinking about it during the meeting. I'm going to take a little break for now," he said.
It was also considered a sudden retirement. Last year, Hwang Jae-gyun willingly competed as a backup in response to the club's request for a generational change. Nevertheless, due to thorough self-management, he marked a batting average of 0.275 (106 hits in 385 at-bats), seven homers, 48 RBIs, 50 runs and three steals in 112 regular-season games, a 0.379 on-base plus slugging percentage (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 0.379 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) and a batting average of 0.403 in scoring areas, becoming an example for juniors.
However, Hwang's choice was to leave when applauded. The unexpected decision was unexpected not only by KT players but also by the baseball community. Hwang Jae-gyun said, "I don't think every player thought I'd quit this soon. He said he would do it until he was 45 or 50 because he was not sick. "I came down on my own. When I said I was retiring, all my friends and juniors stopped me. KT juniors still get in touch. They say it feels empty because there is no older brother who has been there all along. But I thought it was right to stop here," he said honestly.
His career path after retirement was also unexpected. Hwang Jae-gyun was known as a great clubhouse leader internally in baseball, and as a talker with a sense of entertainment on the outside. As such, the possibility of either leader training or baseball entertainment seemed high. KT's club also reportedly promised to train its leader in the decision to retire Hwang Jae-kyun. However, the 20-year-old veteran wanted a break away from baseball for the time being.
Hwang Jae-gyun said, "I don't think of a leader for the time being. I was stressed out by baseball for 20 years. I think it would be worse to watch and receive stress than to do it yourself. I felt a lot while watching the older brothers playing baseball together," he shook his head.
He then said, "I got a call from baseball entertainment, but I refused to do it. I'm just thinking about playing soccer," he joked, adding, "I'm leaving it open in many ways. Wouldn't it go anywhere if there was a good offer. Still, I have to make a living, so I have to do everything," he laughed.
Finally, Hwang Jae-gyun, who looked back on his 20 years of professional career, said, "I hope he will be remembered as an indispensable player in the team. I hope he will be remembered as a player who can play any game, any position, or any batting line without getting really sick," he said.
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*This content was translated by AI.
