'LG is coming, ERA 3.13' 41-year-old released pitcher turns life around! Signs 1.6 billion won blockbuster deal → Also sets 7th all-time record in KBO history

*This content was translated by AI.

It is no exaggeration to say that his life changed after joining the LG Twins. Kim Jin-seong (41), who was released five years ago and stood on the brink of retirement, has set an all-time record with 800 career appearances in the KBO League.

On the 17th, Kim Jin-seong appeared as the team's third pitcher in the away game against the KIA Tigers at the Gwangju-Kia Champions Field during the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season, recording a perfect inning.

Following him, Yacel Larios, who came in to pitch, collapsed over 1/3 of an inning, allowing three hits (one home run) and three earned runs without a walk or a strikeout, leading to LG's 4-5 defeat.

However, a meaningful record was achieved. With this appearance, Kim Jin-seong reached 800 career appearances at the age of 41 years, 3 months, and 10 days, becoming the 7th player in KBO history to do so. This comes two years after KT Wiz's Woo Kyu-min (41) achieved 800 appearances in a game against the Busan Lotte Giants on September 5, 2024.

It is also the oldest age for 800 career appearances in history. The previous record was held by Gak-gyeom Yeom during his time with SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers), who reached 800 appearances at 40 years, 11 months, and 24 days in a game against the Incheon Hanwha Eagles on September 25, 2010.

Looking back at Kim Jin-seong's career, this 800th appearance carries special significance. After graduating from Seongnam High School, Kim was selected by SK in the 2nd round, 6th pick, 42nd overall in the 2004 KBO Rookie Draft. However, he could not make his first-team debut until 2013 with the newly established NC Dinos.

In his first professional season, he proved his potential by appearing in 33 games. In the 2014 season, he appeared in 58 games and recorded 25 saves, establishing himself as a key relief pitcher. In 2020, he shared in the joy of NC's first Korean Series championship. However, his performance declined over time, and in his final year with NC in 2021, he recorded a career-low ERA of 7.17 and was released after the season.

It was LG that reached out to him. At the invitation of LG General Manager Cha Myeong-seok, Kim joined LG for the 2022 season and wrote a turnaround story alongside the vast Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Despite joining LG at the late age of 37, he enjoyed a second prime, posting 330 games, 25 wins, 11 losses, 106 holds, 7 saves, and an ERA of 3.13.

In the 2023 season, he appeared in 80 games, the most among pitchers, and became the top contributor to LG's first Korean Series championship in 29 years. Contributing to LG's second championship in 2025, Kim, known as the "Devoted Seat," signed a multi-year non-free agent contract worth up to 1.6 billion won for 2+1 years ahead of the 2026 season.

This year, he has contributed to LG's first-place standing with 34 games, 5 wins, no losses, 13 holds, 1 save, and an ERA of 2.78.

Kim Jin-seong is approaching another all-time record: the most career holds in the KBO League. Having played 14 seasons and recorded 173 holds, Kim currently ranks 2nd all-time in this category, just four holds behind the all-time record of 177 holds held by Ahn Ji-man (formerly of Samsung). If he adds five more holds, he can surpass the tie and claim sole possession of the all-time record for most career holds.

Meanwhile, the KBO plans to present Kim Jin-seong with a commemorative award for his 800th career appearance in accordance with its award regulations.

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*This content was translated by AI.