"Just let me see one at-bat..." Choe Min-seok faced an eight-pitch battle head-on; it shone without flashiness... 'Player Kim Sung-hyun's' final flourish [Incheon]

*This content was translated by AI.

The time for 'Player Kim Sung-hyun' has come to an end. Like his 21-year career, there was no flashiness, yet it shone all its own.

Kim Sung-hyun appeared as the leadoff second baseman in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game against Doosan Bears at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 5th and was substituted for Jung Jun-jae after the bottom of the first inning.

This was Kim Sung-hyun's final game, having been drafted in the second round, 20th overall pick of the 2006 rookie draft by SK Wyverns (the predecessor to SSG), and playing for only one team for 21 seasons up to this year.

Before the game, Kim Sung-hyun met with reporters and said, "I am so grateful. It's not something you can just say you want a retirement ceremony." He added, "After playing for so long, I've reached this point. Somehow, people have called me a one-club man and held a grand retirement ceremony for me, and I am truly thankful."

Though not a flashy player, he was a valuable infield utility resource who played for one team for a long time with diamond-like contributions. Over 1,622 career games, he recorded a .268 batting average (4,283 at-bats, 1,149 hits), 46 home runs, 456 RBIs, 559 runs scored, 59 stolen bases, a .335 on-base percentage, a .349 slugging percentage, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.684.

SSG manager Lee Sung-yong said, "It's a blessing. It's not easy to leave with applause. As a coach, he has many good qualities. I think he will do well." He added, "Today, even if it's just one at-bat and one defensive play, I hope he enjoys it." Kim was scheduled to be substituted after completing the top of the first inning defensively and the bottom of the first offensively.

Although he started the season as a playing coach, he essentially performed only coaching duties. Nevertheless, while preparing his body for the retirement ceremony, he felt a bit of ambition. Kim Sung-hyun said, "I never regretted anything or thought about wanting to play again. I didn't think I would feel that way, but while preparing, those thoughts came up. It was fun." He continued, "I knew I shouldn't do anything strange out there, so I tried to prepare hard, and it turned out to be fun. I practiced more than I expected. I only did defensive drills."

He even made a special request (?) to Doosan manager Kim Won-hyung, who was once his senior player, coach, and manager. Manager Kim said, "Yesterday when he came by briefly during practice, we greeted each other and talked about various things. He asked me to let him step in for just one at-bat during the retirement ceremony," he laughed.

He continued, "When Sung-hyun joined when I was a senior player, he played baseball with great determination despite his physical build. In terms of personality, he was endearing." He added, "Even as a coach, since I was in charge of pitchers and there was an age gap, we didn't talk much. But whenever we did talk, he approached without any discomfort. Even as a manager, when we talked, he would joke around and never made me feel uncomfortable. I grew very fond of him, but now that he's older, he's retiring. While his playing career wasn't extremely flashy, he was always a necessary presence. Though he is retiring, we should also celebrate him. There may be some regrets, but as a coach, I hope he becomes a great manager."

Before the game, Coach Kim Sung-hyun conducted a 'family joint ceremonial first pitch, hit, and throw' with his children.

Typically, players who are added to special rosters for their retirement games enter as designated hitters and are substituted after their first at-bat, but Kim Sung-hyun was different. As an infield utility player who contributed significantly defensively, it was also interesting to see him in action on the field.

Kim Sung-hyun took the field first in the top of the first inning. With two outs and a runner on first base, he quickly chased Yang Eui-ji's fly ball and cleanly handled it, ending the inning with his own effort.

In the bottom of the first, he immediately stepped up as the leadoff batter. After watching the first pitch for a ball, Kim engaged in a persistent eight-pitch battle from the second pitch onward. Choe Min-seok consistently relied on fast pitches. Though it was a highly focused duel, an 8th-pitch 147 km/h two-seam fastball perfectly hit the outer edge of the strike zone, resulting in a looking strikeout to conclude his final at-bat.

Before the top of the second inning, Jung Jun-jae came onto the field, and Kim Sung-hyun shared warm hugs with shortstop Park Sung-han and Jung Jun-jae, exchanging final farewells. He then shook hands with the lineup of players lined up in front of the dugout and Haifa Eve, and after a final goodbye with his 'best friend' Choe Jeong, who had specially visited the scene, 'Player Kim Sung-hyun' marked his final moment.

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*This content was translated by AI.