'Amazing' Tigers franchise history's 'this record' ranks first! "I don't know about other records, but I had ambition for this one"

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers' key bullpen resource Jeon Sang-hyun (30) achieved a valuable record, becoming only the ninth pitcher in KBO League history to do so. He recorded 10 holds for five consecutive seasons.

On the 18th, KIA secured a one-run victory with a 4-3 score against Hanwha Eagles in an away regular-season game at Daejeon Hanwha Life Wings Park.

With this win, KIA extended their winning streak to three games, finishing with 57 wins, 48 losses, and 2 ties. KIA maintained sole fourth place in the league, trailing third-place LG Twins by one game.

Jeon Sang-hyun took the mound as the second pitcher for KIA, following starter James Neale on this day.

Entering the seventh inning with his team leading 4-2, Jeon allowed a infield single to first baseman Sim Woo-jun. He then struck out Choi In-ho with a swinging strikeout, but Sim stole second base.

Jeon subsequently gave up a two-run double to Ferrer, allowing one run. However, the crisis ended there. He fanned Moon Hyun-bin on a fourth-pitch swing-and-miss. Although he surrendered a hit to Kang Baek-ho via a right-field single, he retired Noh Si-hwan with a flyout to left field, ending his outing. Despite allowing a run, Jeon secured a hold as his team maintained a 4-3 lead.

Jeon joined KIA in the 2016 season and recorded his first career hold on June 10 of that year against Gwangju Samsung in relief appearance. Since the 2019 season, he has established himself as a key pillar of the bullpen.

In the 2019 season, he appeared in 57 games and recorded his first double-digit holds (15). The following season in 2020, he reached 10 holds faster than any other pitcher in the league. Since the 2022 season, he has achieved 10 holds for four consecutive seasons.

As he continued his streak of consecutive records, his performance also improved. In the 2025 season, he appeared in 74 games and recorded 25 holds, setting a new personal best. On June 28 against LG at Jamsil Stadium, he became only the 19th pitcher in league history and the first in franchise history to reach 100 career holds.

The record for most consecutive seasons with double-digit holds is six, held jointly by Kwon Hyuk (formerly Samsung, 2007–2012) and Kim Tae-hoon (Kiwoom·Samsung, 2020–2025).

Players who have recorded five consecutive seasons of double-digit holds include Cha Myung-joo (formerly Doosan·Hanwha, 2001–2005), An Ji-man (formerly Samsung, 2011–2015), Jin Hae-soo (formerly LG, 2016–2020), Jung Woo-young (LG, 2019–2023), and Gu Seung-min (Lotte, 2020–2024). Additionally, on May 23 against Kiwoom at Jamsil Stadium, LG's Kim Jin-seong (2022–2026) newly joined this list. And today, Jeon Sang-hyun added one more hold, becoming the ninth pitcher in history to join this prestigious group.

After the game, Jeon said, "I'm glad we secured a tough win. It was a close game that felt difficult, but I'm satisfied because we held our lead until the end and contributed to the team's victory."

He continued, "Recently, I've often been called upon in difficult situations against strong teams. I've tried my best to pitch exactly as prepared, and fortunately, things have gone well with good results coming out." He showed a humble attitude.

Jeon Sang-hyun holds the franchise record for most career holds (119) in Tigers history.

Finally, he added, "I don't know about other records, but I had ambition for this one. Achieving a record over the course of a season means consistency. The consistent preparation I've put in so far has resulted in these achievements, and I'm proud of that. I hope to continue building on this record in the future."

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*This content was translated by AI.