'Only one team, 2,000 games at shortstop': Only LG's Oh Ji-hwan has achieved this historic first in KBO... The reason why the 23rd all-time record was even more special

*This content was translated by AI.

In baseball, the shortstop is classified as a special position.

In situations where right-handed batters inevitably hit many balls, those numerous batted balls pulled by them demand greater quickness, defensive range, and stamina from the shortstop. Since batting performance must also meet a certain standard to ensure consistent game participation, full-time shortstops hold special value.

In that sense, LG Twins' Oh Ji-hwan (36) is recognized as a unique figure even among KBO League shortstops. After graduating from Gyeonggi High School, he was selected in the first round of the 2009 KBO Rookie Draft and joined LG, never leaving that position since. Even when he temporarily missed games due to injury or poor form, Oh Ji-hwan was always present between the second and third base areas in LG's infield. Starting from Mokdong Baseball Stadium on the 2nd, 2009, and continuing through to Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 16th, 2026, he maintained the shortstop position for a remarkable 2,000 games.

Only 23 players, including Oh Ji-hwan, have played 2,000 games in the KBO League, and he is the second player after the late Coach Kim Min-jae to play 2,000 or more games specifically as a shortstop. However, Oh Ji-hwan is the first in history to play 2,000 games as a shortstop for only one team. On the 16th, after completing the Jamsil Lotte game, Oh Ji-hwan expressed "his feelings"about reaching 2,000 game appearances. He expressed gratitude for being able to play 2,000 games with one team. Furthermore, this record holds even greater significance because it was achieved without ever changing positions, remaining solely as a shortstop. He shared his unique reflections, stating that he feels a greater sense of responsibility to work even harder.

There were many adversities on the path to achieving KBO's unique record. Seventeen years ago, the standards and expectations for rookie shortstops were stricter than today. Moreover, Oh Ji-hwan's defensive style was not recognized by domestic coaches at the time. Oh Ji-hwan was a player who relied on his natural strong arm and athletic ability to handle batted balls that somehow reached his glove. This is a trait highly valued in Major League Baseball (ML). However, for decades, the Korean KBO League focused on maintaining a stable throwing motion by aligning the body's center directly in front of the batted ball, and by that standard, Oh Ji-hwan was not considered a good defender.

Players with a similar style, such as the retired Kang Jung-ho, began to be reevaluated starting in 2015 when he established himself in Major League Baseball. It was only after Kim Ha-seong (Atlanta Braves) completely revamped his defense and won a Gold Glove Award that Oh Ji-hwan finally received recognition. During this process, Oh Ji-hwan chose to remain silent and focus on his performance rather than offering explanations.

The game on the 16th, when he achieved the 2nd,000-game record, was an appropriate example demonstrating why Oh Ji-hwan had to be recognized. That day, he started as the shortstop and created an infield hit with a surprise bunt that caught the opponent off guard. He quietly stole second base and, in a close home situation, made a bold slide to secure a victory for LG.

Oh Ji-hwan said "There may be many days when such records are widely discussed, but I am glad we won this game. I tend to place importance on such things, and I dislike causing harm to the team", and added "When I was young, I was just happy to be able to play in games. I was very conscious of others, and there were many games we lost because of me", reflecting back.

He continued, "It was only in my late 20s that I could gradually play my own style of baseball. As I did so, I found baseball more enjoyable, and I regretted and thought about the time I couldn't play my own style. Before I knew it, I had undergone two free agency periods and become a senior player in the team, and I feel a greater sense of responsibility", smiling.

Oh Ji-hwan's history, overcoming prejudice and adversity to finally be recognized as the league's best shortstop, serves as an inspiration for younger players in the same position. With the increasing importance of multi-position players in recent years, achieving 2,000 games exclusively as a shortstop has become even more difficult.

Even in Major League Baseball, which boasts a 150-year history, it is extremely rare for a player to have played 2,000 or more games as a shortstop for only one team. A representative example is Derek Jeter (52) of New York. Jeter was drafted in the first round of the 1992 Major League Baseball Rookie Draft by the New York Yankees and played as a shortstop for 20 years until his retirement in 2014. He led the team to five World Series championships (1996, 1998–2000, 2009) and was also named World Series MVP in 2000.

Oh Ji-hwan's dream, which he has walked a similar path to in Korea, coincidentally mirrors that of Jeter. As captain in 2023, Oh Ji-hwan led LG to their first Korean Series championship in 29 years and was named Korean Series MVP. In 2025, he added a second championship ring.

Oh Ji-hwan stated "I am a player who prioritizes team performance above all. Naturally, I am driven by the desire to win. Having won twice as a senior player, I don't feel like I've accomplished something; rather, I feel a desire to do more", sharing his honest feelings. He continued, "Although I have enjoyed many things recently, I watched many championships as a child, so I actually feel a stronger thirst for victory. Therefore, I do not feel complacent", he conveyed.

He set a goal to win at least three more championships. Oh Ji-hwan emphasized "I hope to win a total of about five times. It is truly not easy for one team to win consecutively, but if that happens, I believe I can be remembered as a player of the LG Twins for a long time. I am running toward that dream".

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*This content was translated by AI.