What a romance! 'Park Seok-min's son' Park Jun-hyun, starting on the day of 'Dad's best friend uncle' Park Byung-ho's retirement ceremony → The opponent is also 'Kiwoom-born' Choi Won-tae

*This content was translated by AI.

Kiwoom Heroes is launching a direct breakthrough by fielding 'right-handed fireballer' Park Jun-hyun (19), the overall No. 1 pick in the 2026 rookie draft, even as their starting pitchers face a string of injuries. This appearance is particularly stirring for baseball fans, as it falls on the retirement ceremony of Kiwoom Heroes' 'legend' Park Byung-ho (40, currently a coach with the Kiwoom Heroes reserve team) and marks Park Jun-hyun's debut against Samsung Lions, the team where his father, Park Seok-min (41), serves as the 2nd team coach.

Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin (53) made a 'surprise' announcement ahead of the NC Dinos game scheduled for the 22nd at Gocheok Sky Dome. He confirmed that right-handed rookie Park Jun-hyun, selected first overall in the 2026 draft, has been designated as the starting pitcher for the home game against Samsung Lions on the 26th.

The Kiwoom mound is currently in a state of emergency. 'Second starter' foreign pitcher Nathan Wills (28) has been sidelined due to shoulder pain, and left-handed Kenny Rosenberg (31), signed as a replacement foreign player, has not yet received his visa. Manager Seol Jong-jin stated, "Oh Seok-ju, who started on the 21st, is a bullpen resource and cannot handle a four-day rest rotation," adding, "Park Jun-hyun, who has completed his starting buildup in the Futures League, will take the mound on the 26th."

Park Jun-hyun, who joined Kiwoom as the overall No. 1 pick in the 2026 rookie draft, did not make the opening day roster but has posted solid numbers in four Futures League appearances: one loss with an ERA of 1.88. In particular, on the 19th against Lotte, he proved his readiness for a starting role by throwing a fastball clocked at 154 km/h. Over five innings, he allowed four hits, two walks, eight strikeouts, and three earned runs, delivering a performance that was far from poor.

After considering alternative starters, Kiwoom decided to give Park Jun-hyun his first-team debut following internal discussions. Manager Seol Jong-jin expressed confidence in Park Jun-hyun, saying, "If he stays calm and throws only his own pitches, he should be able to handle about five innings."

This debut of Park Jun-hyun is filled with 'storylines.' The event is scheduled for the 26th, the day of the retirement ceremony for Kiwoom's 'icon' Coach Park Byung-ho. The opposing team, Samsung, is also the original team where Park Seok-min, currently Samsung's 2nd team coach and 'Park Jun-hyun's father,' played during his active career. Simultaneously, Park Jun-hyun will make his debut on the day of his father's close friend Park Byung-ho's retirement ceremony, facing the team his father joined. Park Byung-ho and Park Seok-min are known to be close friends in the baseball world, being of similar age. Both served together in the Army Baseball Team during their playing days.

An unintended, coincidental scenario has unfolded. Park Jun-hyun has consistently started in the Futures League once a week since March 29. The intention was clearly to establish a starter's routine, as he pitched every Sunday. Coincidentally, the situation arose where Kiwoom needed a first-team starter. In a twist of fate, the scheduled starter for Samsung on the 26th is right-handed Choi Won-tae (29), a 'Kiwoom-born' pitcher.

On the day when the legend Park Byung-ho, who dominated an era, holds his official retirement ceremony, can 'his friend's son' Park Jun-hyun herald the beginning of a new legend? All eyes are turning to Gocheok Sky Dome on the 26th.

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*This content was translated by AI.