"I will make sure to say a proper goodbye; please wait just a little longer." With the heatwave cancellations, even the retirement ceremony was suddenly called off... He made his own statement.

*This content was translated by AI.

Due to widespread heatwaves across the country, the KBO League has entered a "heatwave break." The person who expressed regret over the cancellation of three consecutive weekend games was none other than Hwang Jae-kyun (39), whose retirement ceremony had been scheduled.

KT Wiz planned to hold Hwang Jae-kyun's retirement ceremony during their home game against Lotte Giants at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 8th, but it had to be postponed.

The reason was the suspension of the league due to extreme heat.

On the previous day (the 6th), the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) convened an emergency executive committee attended by heads of all 10 KBO League teams, the secretary-general of the Professional Baseball Players Association, and officials from the Sports Safety Foundation.

At this meeting, the executive committee discussed adjusting game schedules to respond to the ongoing heatwave, revising guidelines on whether games should proceed, and strengthening heat countermeasures at stadiums.

As a result, the committee decided to cancel all games until the 9th and resume play starting August 11, while also reinforcing safety measures for spectators in response to the heatwave conditions.

The KBO announced that game start times would be changed to 7 p.m. for all matches through September 6 (7 p.m. on weekdays at Gocheok Sky Dome, 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays). However, future decisions on whether to proceed with games at these times will remain flexible depending on weather conditions. This measure aims to minimize heat exposure for players and spectators by scheduling games during periods when temperatures and perceived heat are relatively lower.

KT was scheduled to face Lotte Giants in this weekend's three-game series. A significant event had also been planned: Hwang Jae-kyun, who previously played for Lotte, was set to hold his retirement ceremony on the 8th. However, with the league suspended due to the heatwave break, Hwang Jae-kyun too had no choice but to postpone his retirement ceremony.

Hwang Jae-kyun began his professional career after being selected in the second round, 24th overall pick of the 2006 KBO Rookie Draft by Hyundai Unicorns. He later played for Heroines and Lotte before stepping onto Major League Baseball (MLB) with the San Francisco Giants in 2016. Upon returning to Korea in 2018, Hwang Jae-kyun signed a four-year, 8.8 billion won free agent (FA) contract with KT, marking his first connection with the team.

Since then, Hwang Jae-kyun has played exclusively for KT, leading the team to five consecutive postseason appearances from 2021 onward. Notably, in 2021, as team captain, he guided KT to its first-ever regular-season title and Korean Series championship, becoming a central figure in their integrated victory.

Hwang Jae-kyun recorded a .285 batting average (3,776 at-bats, 1,075 hits), 112 home runs, 527 RBIs, 567 runs scored, and 62 stolen bases in 1,016 games with KT alone, along with an on-base percentage of .349, slugging percentage of .436, and OPS of .785. His overall KBO career statistics include 2,200 games, a .285 batting average (7,937 at-bats, 2,266 hits), 227 home runs, 1,121 RBIs, 1,172 runs scored, and 235 stolen bases, with an on-base percentage of .349 and slugging percentage of .436.

KT originally explained that the retirement ceremony, held together with his former team Lotte, would be divided into two parts with a concept based on Hwang Jae-kyun's entrance song during his playing days, "Europe: The Final Countdown."

Prior to the game, Part 1 was planned to include a signing session where Hwang Jae-kyun would meet 100 fans at the central Wiz Hall in Wiz Park and express his gratitude. Additionally, ceremonial first pitch, hit, and throw were to be performed by members of Hwang's family to add special meaning. Following the game, Part 2 was intended to feature greetings from Hwang's family, teammates, former coaches from his alma mater, and junior players, but unfortunately, they will have to look forward to another opportunity.

Upon hearing the announcement about the heatwave-related cancellation, Hwang Jae-kyun made a direct statement via his social networking service (SNS): "Due to the heatwave, my retirement ceremony has been temporarily postponed. It's disappointing, but I promise to meet again on a safer and better day. Please wait just a little longer. I will make sure to say a proper goodbye."

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*This content was translated by AI.