"I miss Hwang Jae-kyun!" Why did Lee Kang-chul suddenly recall the retired player? → Why exactly?

*This content was translated by AI.

"It's the nostalgic Hwang Jae-kyun!"

KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul (60) mentioned the name of retired infielder Hwang Jae-kyun (39) in front of reporters, showing a helpless smile. The void left by the "iron man" who had firmly guarded the team's hot corner for a full 8 years at KT has deepened the manager's concerns amid a string of injuries. As the battle for the top positions intensifies, the memory of Hwang has become even more prominent.

On the 18th, ahead of a home game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Suwon KT Wiz Park, Manager Lee Kang-chul addressed the team's serious shortage of third basemen due to injuries.

KT sits in second place without a win against Samsung, but the third base position is in a state of devastation, with no clear distinction between starters and backups. Starter third baseman Heo Kyung-min (36) was excluded from the 1st team roster on the 16th due to a left hamstring strain, while backup prospect Ryu Hyun-in (26) also suffered a fracture in his right finger while attempting a slide to second base during a match against Changwon NC Dinos on the 16th, making a long-term absence inevitable.

Manager Lee Kang-chul particularly felt the pain of Ryu Hyun-in's injury. He expressed regret toward Ryu, saying, "If not for the injury, he would have been at third base for at least a month. It's too disappointing that he slid like that."

With injuries blocking every direction, the person who came to the manager's mind was Hwang Jae-kyun, who retired from active duty at the end of the 2025 season. Hwang Jae-kyun was a symbol of health, having guarded third base without major injuries for 8 years after joining KT. During his 8 seasons with KT, he played in over 100 games every year. The 2023 season, with 109 games played, recorded the fewest appearances.

Manager Lee Kang-chul recalled, "(Hwang) Jae-kyun played in games as long as he wasn't injured. He was a sturdy player without injuries," and added with a hearty laugh, "Actually, since I came to this team, I never worried about third basemen. But now that Jae-kyun is gone, I finally realize we don't have a third baseman."

However, mixing in his characteristic wit, the manager also smiled, saying, "I only worried about shortstops in this team. The fact that (Hwang) Jae-kyun was briefly forgotten in my mind also means our team's depth has become stronger."

For the time being, KT plans to assign the starting third base role to Jang Jun-won. According to Manager Lee Kang-chul, if Jang Jun-won is removed from a game, rookie infielder Lee Kang-min (19), who is currently starting at shortstop, will move to third base. Backup infielder Kwon Dong-jin (28) stated he is not considered a third base backup. Instead, there are plans to call up another infielder, Kang Min-seong, who was sent down to the 2nd team on the 11th.

Manager Lee Kang-chul's confession that "we played baseball without worrying about third base in KT" ironically highlights the current difficulties in KT's infield operations. The situation is even more disappointing as the absence of outfielder Ahn Hyun-min is being partially filled by newly signed players Kim Hyun-soo and Choi Won-jun. It remains to be seen whether KT, currently in an injury ward, can erase Hwang Jae-kyun's shadow and turn this crisis into an opportunity.

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*This content was translated by AI.