*This content was translated by AI.
"In the end, it was all about strength. I've changed my thinking."
It is often said that as people age, their strength wanes but their vision widens and they become more adept at using tricks. Noh Kyung-eun (42, SSG Landers), who has won the saves champion title for two consecutive years as the oldest player to do so, held this belief as well. However, competing against the world's best players on the global stage after 13 years changed his perspective.
Noh Kyung-eun, who began his professional career in 2003, has been active for 24 years. After a long period of obscurity, he rose to become the league's top starting pitcher over a decade ago, and since then, he has experienced ups and downs, alternating between starting and relief roles. After being released by the Lotte Giants, he donned the SSG uniform in 2022 and entered a second prime.
In 2022, he alternated between starting and relief roles, securing 12 wins. The following year, he transformed into a reliable reliever, recording 30 saves. In 2024, he recorded 38 saves, and in 2025, 35 saves, claiming the saves champion title for two consecutive years as the oldest player to do so.
Last season, he displayed incredible stamina, pitching 80 innings in 77 games, yet he also participated in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) ahead of the new season. Noh Kyung-eun, who experienced heartbreak at his first WBC in 2013, showed his iron-clad form on the stage after 13 years. He pitched 3⅔ innings in four games, remaining scoreless against Czech Republic and Taiwan, and appeared in the Australia game after LG's starting pitcher Son Ju-young was forced to leave due to a sudden injury, pitching two scoreless innings to lead Korea to a dramatic quarterfinal berth. Manager Ryu Ji-hyun expressed his gratitude for Noh Kyung-eun's outstanding performance.
This experience brought another realization to the 42nd-year-old pitcher, Noh Kyung-eun. In an interview with StarNews, Noh Kyung-eun said, "When I went in 2013, I didn't manage my condition well, and that failure became a good turning point. So this time, I managed my condition thoroughly." He added, "I also carefully observed how much the skills of world-class players have developed compared to 13 years ago. Their techniques have improved significantly and developed immensely. It's not just about technique; there are so many excellent players globally, and I experienced that firsthand."
Even though he is already a seasoned player, he felt something after experiencing the global stage. Ironically, despite his age, he realized that he should not rely more on tricks but rather maintain his strength to the fullest.
Noh Kyung-eun said, "I realized in the end that it was all about strength. To avoid being left behind as I age, I feel even more strongly that I must build and maintain my strength until the very end, rather than relying on tricks or techniques. To maintain it, strength is ultimately necessary. As I age, my body might not keep up, so I thought I should rely on tricks, and there are players like that. But I realized once again that it is strength, and this became a turning point to change my thinking."
For Noh Kyung-eun, who is undergoing the most rigorous personal training, this also became an opportunity to gain more confidence in his routine. "Personally, regarding my training, I have been consistently doing weight training without letting go of my focus on instant power and strength. I thought, 'I'm glad I did this.' I now feel even more strongly that I must maintain this and not let it drop further," he said.
Perhaps because of this. While many players who participated in the WBC, regardless of whether they are pitchers or batters, have suffered injuries or condition issues, Noh Kyung-eun said, "I think it was a good opportunity to build my body in a good environment with good weather." He added, "On the contrary, since I played baseball in an even better environment, there is no problem at all. I just played a bit earlier than others, and I took good care of my body without any overexertion."
Last year, SSG boasted the strongest bullpen, but they are facing difficulties as their starting pitchers' ERA (4.95) ranked last. Although their ERA is 4.29, ranking third, they rarely get opportunities for holds or saves.
As a result, Noh Kyung-eun, Kim Min, and Lee Run all experienced some instability since May. However, all three quickly found their stability.
Noh Kyung-eun pitched 16⅓ innings in 17 games, recording 1 win, 2 losses, and 4 holds. His numbers worsened after collapsing twice in May, but he regained momentum with strong performances in the last two games, erasing crises.
In the Doosan game on the 8th, when Anthony Venegas faltered after two outs, Noh Kyung-eun appeared in a crisis situation with runners on first and second, recording an out with just two pitches. He then retired all three batters through the 7th inning and secured a hold.
In the Doosan game on the 10th, he appeared in the bottom of the 7th inning with his team trailing 0-3. Despite allowing a runner due to a shortstop error to start, he cleanly retired the next three batters.
The season is long, and there are signs that the SSG starting rotation will improve. Noh Kyung-eun, who has gained new insights, is expected to continue holding firm, and SSG's reliable bullpen is anticipated to regain the same power it had last year.
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*This content was translated by AI.
