'Retirement Ceremony' Park Byung-ho Registers for Special Entry! To Start as 4th Hitter and First Baseman in Samsung Game on the 26th, to be Substituted Immediately After Play Begins

*This content was translated by AI.

Kiwoom Heroes' symbol and "South Korea's representative power hitter" Park Byung-ho (40), now a reserve team coach, will once again take the field for his final game at Gocheok Sky Dome.

The Kiwoom organization officially announced ahead of the Samsung Lions game at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome on the 26th that "Coach Park Byung-ho has been registered as a special entry. He will start the game on this day as the 4th hitter and first baseman."

On this day, Kiwoom set its starting lineup as follows: Park Ju-hong (right fielder), Brooks (left fielder), An Chi-hong (designated hitter), Park Byung-ho (first baseman), Kim Geon-hee (catcher), Kim Ji-seok (third baseman), Park Soo-jong (center fielder), Song Ji-hoo (second baseman), and Oh Seon-jin (shortstop).

Originally, Park Byung-ho had politely declined the special entry registration, stating, "I do not want to be a burden to active players." However, it is reported that he changed his mind after the team's persistent persuasion, expressing a desire to "show the highest respect befitting a franchise star." Although he is not expected to play any innings in this event appearance, Kiwoom fans will now have the opportunity to witness his final moments in a Kiwoom uniform, wearing a first baseman's mitt and taking the field defensively.

Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin (53) stated regarding Park Byung-ho's participation in today's game that "he will be substituted immediately after the game begins."

This retirement ceremony is dramatic from the very matchup. The opposing team, the Samsung Lions, is the club where Park Byung-ho lit his final spark during his playing career. After being traded in 2024, he achieved the historic milestone of 400 career home runs while with Samsung, and through the 2025 season, he hit 35 home runs exclusively with Samsung, leaving behind the sentiment, "I played baseball happily."

Park Byung-ho will officially put a period to his career in a setting where warm welcomes from fans of his original team coexist with applause from former teammates. Furthermore, through this registration, Park Byung-ho's final team of his playing career will be officially recorded as transitioning from Samsung to Kiwoom Heroes.

Park Byung-ho, who left behind the astonishing record of 418 career home runs in the KBO League, previously stated at his retirement press conference held in January that "I regret that my final at-bat while playing for Samsung ended with a fly out." His special entry appearance is expected to be a precious opportunity to ease that regret and bid a final farewell to fans.

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*This content was translated by AI.