The wait of 404G-1486 at-bats ends with a game-winning hit after eight years since debut! KT's Kang Min-seong firmly etches his name: "It's more thrilling than I expected. I hope there will be more days like this." [Suwon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz's Kang Min-seong (27), who hit the game-winning hit for the first time in eight years since his debut, moved fans with his emotional performance.

On the 28th, KT defeated LG Twins 6-5 in a regular-season home game at Suwon KT Wiz Park as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League. With this victory, KT improved to 18 wins and 8 losses, extending their lead over LG (16 wins, 9 losses) to 1.5 games and securing first place.

True to its nickname "preview of the Korean Series," the game saw multiple lead changes until the final moment. As the game-winning hit changed hands repeatedly, the ultimate victor was the relatively unknown Kang Min-seong, who had appeared in only 42 first-division games over eight years.

With the score tied 5-5 and two outs with runners on first and second, Kang stepped into the batter's box. He immediately targeted Kim Jin-soo's first pitch—a low outside curveball—and drove it to left field. As second baseman Kwon Dong-jin sprinted home, the 3rd-hour-and-48-minute drama concluded.

After the game, Kang told reporters, "Whether in the dugout or in the on-deck circle, I tried to let go of my ambitions and stay calm. Instead of thinking I had to hit well no matter what, I focused on executing what I had prepared."

Countless memories of past failures flashed before his eyes. Kang, a right-handed batter and infielder, graduated from Daegu Oksan Elementary, Gyeongbuk Middle, and Gyeongbuk High School before being selected by KT in the second round (51st overall) of the 2019 KBO Rookie Draft.

As shown by his Futures League career statistics—362 games, .262 batting average (308 hits in 1,176 at-bats), and 60 home runs—he has long been recognized for his hitting potential. However, whenever he stepped onto the first-division field, even a single hit felt like a struggle.

Kang reflected, "Last year, I received many opportunities, but I couldn't deliver. The issue was always my mental state. I didn't feel this way in the minor leagues, but whenever I reached the first division, I became too timid and lacked decisiveness."

He added, "Whenever I played in the first division, I struggled with both defense and hitting. Colleagues often encouraged me, saying that if I could just strengthen my mindset, I could succeed. I'm not naturally a timid person, but the obsessive need to survive and the pressure I felt were crushing me. As a result, I became overly cautious."

But in his 404th professional game (42 first-division games + 362 minor league games) and 1,486th at-bat (65 first-division at-bats + 1,421 minor league at-bats), the perennial prospect finally broke through. His second career hit was a two-run single against last year's champion LG, marking his first game-winning hit since debut.

Kang smiled broadly, saying, "I've imagined walk-off hits since I started playing baseball in elementary school. This feels like the most thrilling moment since joining the professional league. I've hit walk-off hits in the minor leagues, but I've never felt this way before. It's much better."

Despite the cold, windy weather during a weekday night game, 12,312 fans who visited Suwon KT Wiz Park celebrated Kang's hit. Kang said, "I've often imagined days like this when being interviewed as a hero. It's truly an honor. It was so fun, and I hope there will be more days like this in the future."

He continued, "Fans congratulated me warmly. They often said things like 'Late-blooming flowers are beautiful' and 'You'll definitely succeed.' I truly believe I succeeded because of the fans."

Last year, Kang led KT to their inaugural KBO Futures League championship title with a 3-for-4 performance, including one RBI, against the Army team (Sangmu), earning the Outstanding Batter award.

His goal is to share that championship joy in the first division. Kang stated confidently, "When I was in the military, the team won the championship. I don't think only exceptional players win championships. My goal is to stay in the first-division roster like today, contribute as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement when needed, and secure a championship even as a backup."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.