'1667 days without missing a single game' Park Hae-min finally achieves 'second place alone in history' today (8th)... Can Choi Tae-won surpass 1,009 games?

*This content was translated by AI.

Finally, today (8th), he secures second place alone in history.

LG Twins' Park Hae-min (36) has joined the ranks of the second 'Iron Man' in KBO League history.

On the 7th, Park Hae-min started as the sixth hitter and center fielder in a home game against the Doosan Bears at Seoul Jamsil Stadium, recording 3 at-bats, 1 hit, 1 RBI, and 1 stolen base. He has appeared in all 33 games for his team this season, extending his consecutive game streak from 622 games since October 13, 2021, against the Gwangju KIA Tigers while playing for the Samsung Lions (589 games through last year). This ties him with Kim Hyung-seok (1989–1994, then OB), who holds the second-place record in this category.

In terms of days, this amounts to 1,667 days, or 4 years and 7 months, without missing a single game. Since joining LG in 2022, he has played all 609 games over five seasons.

If Park Hae-min appears in the game against the Hanwha Eagles at Daejeon Hanwha Life Park on the 8th, he will surpass Kim Hyung-seok with 623 consecutive games and move into sole second place.

Attention now turns to whether Park Hae-min can surpass the 1,009-game record held by Choi Tae-won (1995–2002, then Ssangbangwool-SK), who holds the top spot in this category. To do so, he must continue his streak for the next two years. If Park Hae-min plays all 144 games each year moving forward, he will reach 733 games by the end of this season, 877 games next year, and 1,021 games in the 2028 season.

Even so far, this is an astonishing record. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) 2026 Record Book lists consecutive game appearances up to 28th place (331 games), and no active player is currently approaching Park Hae-min's record.

Playing every game in a single season is not something anyone can do. Last year, only six players across all 10 teams managed to play every game: Park Hae-min, Noh Si-hwan (Hanwha), Diaz (Samsung), Kim Ju-won (NC Dinos), Reyes (Lotte Giants), and Song Seong-moon (then Kiwoom Heroes). In 2024, only five players achieved this, and in 2023, only Park Hae-min did. It is an incredibly rare feat.

Park Hae-min has already achieved this difficult feat for four consecutive seasons since 2022. He also set a record of 448 consecutive games from March 31, 2017, to May 22, 2020, while playing for Samsung, ranking 12th all-time.

For coaching staff to keep a player in the lineup, the player must not only be injury-free but also possess the necessary skills. Park Hae-min serves as a key offensive weapon, creating scoring opportunities, while also boasting top-tier center field defense and exceptional base-stealing ability. With all-around skills in offense, defense, and base running, combined with rigorous self-management and relentless effort, he continues to maintain his value.

As LG's captain this season, Park Hae-min is batting .250 (28 hits in 112 at-bats) with 13 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Recently, he was named 'Most Influential Baseball Player' in the '2026 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards' announced by the Korea Consumer Forum for two consecutive years Yeon Sok (수상). Notably, 88% of the participants who voted for Park Hae-min were women, and by age group, those under 30 accounted for 81% (42% in their 20s, 24% in their 30s, and 15% in their teens), highlighting strong support from young female fans.

Park Hae-min said, "It means a lot that fans voted for me. I am also happy to be selected for two consecutive years. I will do my best to repay the fans."

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*This content was translated by AI.