Samsung's core bullpen, which looks at the milestone of "the first 7 consecutive seasons of the league, 10 holds," only thinks about winning the team"

*This content was translated by AI.

Samsung Lions' "Veteran" right-hander bullpen pitcher Kim Tae-hoon (34) re-tied his shoe laces to catch two rabbits, the team's challenge to win the championship, along with a milestone that will remain in KBO league history. He did not hide his greed for the first record of 10 holds for seven consecutive seasons, but he also expressed his willingness to only look at the team's victory.

According to the Samsung club, Kim Tae-hoon started preheating in earnest on the 6th by pitching his first bullpen of the season in Guam, Samsung's spring camp site. Kim Tae-hoon threw a total of 30 pitches on the day. He did not pitch a bullpen in Guam ahead of the 2025 season, but he also announced his plan to prepare at a faster pace than usual.

Regarding his first bullpen pitching, Kim Tae-hoon said, "I personally have a faster pace than last year, and I'm preparing well in line with my plan. As he threw the ball on the mound for the first time since the end of the season, he focused on coordinating his senses rather than his pitches themselves. I threw lightly today with the thought of adapting to the mound," he said.

Kim Tae-hoon played in 56 games in the 2025 season, posting an outstanding record of 3 wins, 2 losses and 23 holds with a 3.96 ERA. Kim Tae-hoon, who has become a key bullpen for Samsung, remained after signing a free agent (FA) contract with Samsung after the end of the season. The contract period is 3+1 with a maximum total of 2 billion won and a condition (guaranteed amount of 1.5 billion won).

This season is even more special for Kim Tae-hoon. It is also because it is the first season to play fully in Samsung's uniform since the signing of the FA contract. As Samsung is considered a strong "winner" inside and outside the team, Kim Tae-hoon feels a different sense of responsibility.

"As many people see our team as the championship, we are only thinking about winning the team," Kim Tae-hoon said. "The biggest goal is to contribute to the team steadily without getting sick for a season."

Personal goals are also clear. It is the achievement of a double-digit hold for the first seven consecutive seasons of the KBO League. This record, a symbol of consistency, is a path that no one in league history has ever taken. With Kim Tae-hoon recorded, left-hander bullpen pitcher Kwon Hyuk (43, now retired) achieved double-digit holds for Samsung for six consecutive seasons in the 2012 season from the 2007 season. However, he failed to record more than 10 holds for seven consecutive seasons, with only three holds in the 2013 season.

If these achievements are achieved, not only Kim Tae-hoon but also the team's performance will be high. Kim Tae-hoon has harvested 92 holds in a total of 455 games since his days as the Heroes. Starting with 10 holds in the 2020 season, he recorded more than 10 holds for six consecutive seasons until the 2025 season.

"I want to set an unprecedented record by recording more than 10 holds this season," Kim Tae-hoon said, adding, "I'm amazed and looking forward to the fact that I can challenge such a record when I joined the lower round when I started baseball."

Kim Tae-hoon, who is not a brilliant star player, is silently writing history while keeping his place. Fans are excited about how his "heavy" pitch will power Samsung's winning streak this season.

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*This content was translated by AI.