'Already the fourth time for a shared first place': Kiwoom's walk-off hit has a 'story'

*This content was translated by AI.

There have been 16 walk-off hits in the KBO League this season. As of the 10th, with a total of 305 games played, the rate is 5.2%. That means one occurs roughly every 20 games, which is not very common.

Among them, two teams have recorded it four times each: Kiwoom Heroes and KT Wiz. Next are SSG Landers and Doosan Bears with two each, while NC Dinos, LG Twins, Samsung Lions, and Hanwha Eagles have each tasted the thrill once. KIA Tigers and Lotte Giants have yet to record one.

The team that particularly draws attention is Kiwoom. Although they remain in last place, they are no less than a 'tradition' when it comes to walk-off hits. Moreover, Kiwoom's walk-off hits hide stories and emotions.

In the Kiwoom-NC game held at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the 9th, Kiwoom, trailing 1-5 until the middle of the game, tied the score at 6-6 in the bottom of the 8th on a two-run hit by Choi Ju-hwan (38). In the bottom of the 9th, with two outs and bases loaded thanks to hits by Kim Geon-hee, Lee Hyung-jong, and Seo Geon-chang, Choi Ju-hwan again hit a two-run single off opposing closer Ryu Jin-wook, securing a thrilling 7-6 comeback victory.

The reason Choi Ju-hwan's walk-off hit stands out even more is that he is the oldest position player on the team. Kiwoom's lineup is heavily occupied by veteran batters in their late 30s, led by 1988-born Choi Ju-hwan, followed by 1989-born Seo Geon-chang, Lee Hyung-jong, and Oh Seon-jin, and 1990-born Ahn Chi-hong. Their skills have not rusted at all, and above all, their diligent and earnest playing style serves as an inspiration to younger players.

Seol Jong-jin (53), Kiwoom's manager, praised them, saying, "Veterans are not just telling young players what to do with words; they faithfully fulfill their roles without saying a word, whether in games or during practice. Since they show it all with their actions, it has a positive effect on the team's atmosphere."

Earlier, three of Kiwoom's walk-off hits also sparked intense discussion.

On May 10, Ahn Chi-hong hit a home run to left-center field off opposing pitcher Kim Min-su in the bottom of the 9th with one out and bases loaded in a 1-1 tie against KT. It was the 25th walk-off bases-loaded home run in KBO League history. Since the league's inception in 1982, a total of 23,761 games had been played up to that point over 45 years, making the probability 0.105%, or one occurrence per 1,000 games—a record-breaking feat.

Subsequently, in games against SSG on May 19 and 20, Kim Woong-bin set a 'cartoon-like' first record. Back-to-back walk-off hits were the fifth in history, and among those, Kim Woong-bin was the first to achieve it against the same pitcher (Jo Byung-hyun).

Manager Seol Jong-jin said, "Walk-off hits come when you don't give up until the end. It seems the players are gradually realizing the importance of having the confidence that you can still catch up even when you are behind."

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*This content was translated by AI.