KIA, a giant in All-Star selections! smiles: "The last Jamsil game will be meaningful; congratulations to all → Just let me sort out the rotation for Olle"

*This content was translated by AI.

The KIA Tigers proved the fierce popularity of their tiger brigade by sending no fewer than five players to the 2026 KBO All-Star Game's "Sharing All-Star Best 12." The five players are starting pitcher Adam Olle, middle reliever Jung Hae-young, closer Sung Young-tak, third baseman Kim Do-young, and outfielder Park Jae-hyun, making them the team with the most selections in the Sharing All-Star Best 12. KIA manager Lee Beom-ho (45) also conveyed his congratulations to the players. He added that he would only take a closer look at adjusting the rotation for Olle, the starting pitcher.

According to the roster released by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on the afternoon of the 24th, KIA became the team with the most selections in the Sharing All-Star Best 12. In particular, the pitching category saw KIA players sweep the board completely, from starters to middle relievers and closers.

Ahead of the away game against Kiwoom Heroes held at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome on the 24th, KIA manager Lee Beom-ho met with on-site reporters, repeatedly smiling as he offered congratulations to his players.

The manager said, "The All-Star announcement came about three hours ago, and I heard that five of our players were selected, making us the team with the most selections in the Sharing category. I want to convey congratulations to all the players since there are so many of them," he laughed.

He also highlighted the special significance of this year's All-Star Game. The manager stated, "This is the last All-Star Game to be held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, and from next year on, games will be held at a newly changed venue, so it will be very meaningful for the players."

Regarding the sweep of first place in all pitching categories—starter, middle reliever, and closer—the manager expressed deep satisfaction. "I already received their grateful feelings earlier," he began, "and Olle, Hae-young, and Young-tak were voted for and loved by many fans. I think they were selected because players from other teams also voted for them. It seems the fans and fellow players have kindly recognized the result of the players holding their positions well," he conveyed his gratitude to fans and fellow players.

However, a "pleasant dilemma" as a commander also arose. This concerns the adjustment of Adam Olle's late first-half and second-half starting rotation as he starts in the Sharing All-Star starting pitcher role. This season, Olle has posted an outstanding record of 8 wins and 5 losses with a 2.51 ERA in 15 games, leading the league in wins, ERA, innings, and strikeouts. He is truly the top starting pitcher dominating the league this season.

Manager Lee Beom-ho revealed, "We had slightly adjusted the rotation before he became an All-Star, but since Olle was selected for the Best 12, we will need to sort out the rotation once again." The manager added, "If he pitches one inning in the All-Star Game, it could strain his arm, so we will check with pitching coach Lee Dong-geol and review it," previewing a strict management mode.

According to manager Lee Beom-ho, Olle was scheduled to appear in one of the three away games against Lotte Giants planned from July 7 to July 9. Since he must start in the All-Star Game on July 11, a somewhat tight schedule awaits. It is expected that careful schedule coordination will continue to prevent fatigue accumulation.

With the honor of having the most All-Star selections and the solid trust of the commander, the KIA Tigers' upward momentum is expected to continue fiercely through the late first half and beyond the All-Star break.

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*This content was translated by AI.