"If An Hyun-min hadn't been sidelined, we could have won several more games..." KT manager Lee Kang-cheol expresses lingering regret over finishing third in the first half [Suwon Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I often wonder what would have happened if An Hyun-min hadn't been injured."

Lee Kang-cheol (60), manager of KT Wiz, cited the injury and absence of team slugger An Hyun-min (23) as a major disappointment while reflecting on the first half of the 2026 season.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the final first-half match against Kiwoom Heroes at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 9th, Manager Lee said, "It's somewhat disappointing compared to our start, but I'm glad the players worked hard and managed to finish in third place." He added, "I can't help but think, 'What if An Hyun-min hadn't been injured? He was playing so well at that time...'"

After hitting .365 with three home runs in the first 14 games following the season opener, An Hyun-min suffered a right hamstring injury during a baserunning play against NC Dinos on April 15. He returned to the first division roster on June 16, two months later.

KT initially took sole possession of first place early in the season but saw their standing decline after May 23, when they shared the top spot, ultimately finishing third at the end of the first half.

Manager Lee reiterated, "I often wonder if we could have won a few more games if An Hyun-min hadn't been injured. If we had pushed harder back then... With Hilliard improving, I can't help but think, 'What if we had kept An Hyun-min in the lineup?'" The current gap between KT and first-place LG Twins is four games, implying that without An's injury, the race for first place could have continued.

Nevertheless, Manager Lee noted, "We had quite a few injured players (including An Hyun-min, Heo Kyung-min, Ryu Hyeon-in, and Jang Seong-woo). It was tough, but the players overcame it well, and the coaching staff and club front office also worked hard. Overall, things seem to have gone smoothly."

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*This content was translated by AI.