* Translated by Papago

Starnews

"I think I'm going to cry.""Dun Choi Hyung-woo returned to Lapak for the first time in 10 years → He took off his helmet and greeted him, but unfortunately, he made a mistake in scoring position."

Published :
Park Sujin

*This content was translated by AI.

Choi Hyungwoo greets his home fans.
Choi Hyungwoo greets his home fans.
Choi Hyung-woo saying hello.
Choi Hyung-woo saying hello.

Samsung Lions' "Living Legend" outfielder Choi Hyung-woo (43) returned to the batter's box at Daegu Samsung Lions Park (Rapak) for the first time in 10 years and made an emotional return. Upon returning, he broke the milestone of being the oldest KBO league hitter to play, signaling the return of the legend.

Samsung played the opening game of the 2026 KBO League against the Lotte Giants at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 28th.

Choi Hyung-woo, who left Daegu, which he had been attached to since 2016, and spent his second heyday with the KIA Tigers, wore a blue uniform again ahead of the 2026 season through a free agent (FA) contract.

Choi Hyung-woo, who was listed in the starting lineup on the day, played at the age of 42 years, 3 months, and 12 days, surpassing the record of the oldest hitter ever played (42 years, 2 months and 17 days) held by Choo Shin-soo (former SSG Landers). Just entering the batter's box has written a new history of the KBO League.

Therefore, the most anticipated moment of the day was Choi Hyung-woo's first at-bat. Fans gave a standing ovation to Choi Hyung-woo, who entered Daegu's home at-bat wearing a Samsung uniform exactly 3,461 days after the match against KIA on October 5, 2016.

At the same time, the "Legendary Cheering Song" that Samsung fans have been waiting for so long has also returned. Choi Hyung-woo's exclusive cheering song, which rewritten Kim Won-joon's "Show," resonated in Lapak for the first time in 10 years. In commemoration of Choi Hyung-woo's return, the Samsung club raised the mood to its peak by displaying a congratulatory message from original songwriter Kim Won-joon on the electronic display board.

Choi Hyung-woo, who entered the batter's box amid the enthusiastic Chant of fans, took off his helmet and bowed politely toward the third base's home stands, behind the catcher, and toward the first base to report his return. Ahead of this season, it was the moment when he signed a two-year FA contract for a total of 2.6 billion won and said, "I think I will cry if I go out to bat in Rafak."

But it wasn't an emotional atmosphere that made me cry. The results of the first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning, when the team was trailing 0-2, swallowed the disappointment by stepping down with a fly ball to the left field, but the weight of Samsung's batters was clearly changed just by the appearance of Choi Hyung-woo.

Choi Hyung-woo, who set a new record for the oldest hitter in KBO history.
Choi Hyung-woo, who set a new record for the oldest hitter in KBO history.

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*This content was translated by AI.

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