"The Return of General Romachader": The legendary foreign investor who landed in Incheon with 155 home runs said, "2018 is the most memorable year. Thank you so much for passing down the number 27." [Incheon Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Five years have passed since he left Korea, but there are still moments that stand out vividly. The year 2018, when he led his team to a championship with powerful hitting, remains an unforgettable memory for Jamie Romack (41).

Malcom, a foreign legend who played five seasons with the SSG Landers (including during the SK era), has landed in Incheon. On the 27th, Malcom took part in a ceremonial first pitch and batting session at home against the Hanwha Eagles alongside his family at the Incheon SSG Landers field.

SSG organized this event to welcome Romac back to Incheon for the first time since his retirement in 2021, allowing him to share an emotional reunion with fans and commemorate the memories he left behind in the club's history.

Romac, who served as SSG's central batter for five seasons from 2017 to 2021 and is the club's longest-serving foreign player, appeared in 626 career games, recording a batting average of 0.273, 155 home runs, and 409 RBIs. His 155 home runs stand as the most by any foreign player in club history and rank fourth among all foreign players in KBO League history. He maintained consistent performance with a career OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.908.

Romac, who returned to Canada after the 2021 season, worked as a youth baseball coach in his home country before recently accepting an invitation from a broadcaster and visiting Korea for a TV appearance.

Before the game that day, Romack stood before SSG fans with his first son, Nash Romack (9), as the ceremonial first pitch thrower and Pierce Romack (6) as the ceremonial first pitch catcher, while Romack himself took the batter's box as the ceremonial hitter. As Romack appeared, cheers erupted from the stands, and holding a microphone, he shouted "SSG Landers fighting," drawing applause.

Before the game, Malcom met with reporters and said, "I talked the most with Han Yu-seom and Kim Sung-hyun, and although Choi Jeong is not here right now, we agreed to have a meal and talk when she returns." He added, "Many players from my playing days have moved on to other careers or left, so it felt strange yet familiar to be in an unfamiliar place with familiar players."

Although he returned to Korea due to a broadcasting schedule, he spent a special time there. Romac said, "It was incredibly busy. I met with players in Seoul, ate a lot of meals, went to a jjimjilbang (Korean sauna), and played screen baseball. I really ate a lot." He added, "Yesterday, I had a cultural experience learning Korean etiquette with my family and participated in a children's career exploration program. As soon as I arrived in Korea, I visited the literature museum first and enjoyed chimaek (chicken and beer). I enjoyed things I couldn't enjoy during my playing days."

When people retire, they often reduce their physical activity and gain weight. However, Romac still maintains a solid physique. He said, "I play squash three times a week. It has become my new passion. I am applying everything I always prepared for while playing baseball to squash. It is a sport that makes people humble." He added, "Although I still have to fulfill the role of a father, once both of my sons grow up, I plan to participate in tournaments as well."

Malcom has lived in Korea for five years, making it almost a second home to him. "I visited the places where I lived in Songdo, the spots where I took walks, and Central Park," he said, adding that his eldest son also attended kindergarten there. He shared such memories, noting, "My wife and I often recalled the support and gifts we received from fans while coming here. Even on the flight to Korea, my first son, who had been eating seaweed since he started kindergarten, ate two packs by himself." He laughed as he recounted this.

Even while away, there were moments that remained unforgettable. The 2018 season, when he hit a staggering 233 home runs and was dubbed the "home run factory." Romac also recorded career highs in batting average (.316), home runs (43), and RBIs (107) during that season.

Romac said, "I thought about 2018 the most. While watching videos, I found myself watching even more videos without realizing it. I also watched highlights from that time. The Korean Series was amazing, but Nexen and the playoffs really stand out in my memory." He added, "That season with managers Trey Hillman and Merrill Kelly, Kim Sung-hyun, Han Yu-seom, Choi Jung, Kim Kwang-hyun, and Kim Kang-min is what I remember most. 2020 was difficult due to the coronavirus and because my family couldn't come to Korea, but it was also the season where I grew the most as a person and overcame major challenges."

The legacy of Romac continues at SSG, embodied by the number 27 jersey. At the time of his retirement, this number became a symbol for foreign batters at the club. In 2022, Kevin Cron and Juan Lagares succeeded in wearing it, contributing to the championship victory, and since 2023, Heredia has been using the number.

Romak said, "I mentioned this again this morning; I feel so good and grateful that words cannot describe it." He added, "I met Heredia, and even though we were meeting for the first time, he told me he knew that number came from me. It made me feel good to see him doing well over a long period and getting along well with the players."

Jamsil Baseball Stadium, which will disappear at the end of this season, also holds special significance for Romac. This is because he hit two home runs over the fence there, his only ones at Jamsil. Upon hearing the news, Romac joked, "I didn't know, but I hope someone preserves the exact spot where those over-the-fence home lands when it's rebuilt."

The event that day was styled with a 'Homecoming Day' concept to reconnect and share moments with fans. Fans selected through pre-event recruitment met with Romac at the autograph session. Before the game began, he went onto the field with his family to throw the ceremonial first pitch and hit the ceremonial first ball, offering fans unforgettable memories.

The MBC Every One representative variety program "Welcome to the World of Korea," which prompted Romac's move to Korea, is scheduled to premiere next month on the 17th at 8:30 p.m. on MBC Every One.

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*This content was translated by AI.