'Thank you, Boss': Samsung Players Hold Real Farewell Ceremony for Austin Bos After LG Game on the 5th; Scheduled to Be Removed Ahead of 6th-Day Match → Will Register Ariel Huardo Instead

*This content was translated by AI.

Though their time together was brief, the impact was profound. Austin Bos (34), the replacement foreign pitcher for Samsung Lions, said a heartfelt goodbye amid sincere farewells from his teammates.

The Samsung team held a meaningful farewell ceremony for Bos after finishing their game against LG Twins at Seoul Jamsil Stadium on the 5th. Having already hinted at parting ways by taking a group photo immediately after the Daegu Lotte game on the 1st, the players conveyed sincere gratitude and messages of support to Bos, who had dedicated himself to the team, coinciding with the time of Ariel Huardo's (30) official registration to the first division. Bos responded in kind, exchanging farewells with his teammates. Fortunately, Samsung came back from a 0-3 deficit in the 11th-inning extra innings on the 5th game to win 4-3, reclaiming sole possession of first place.

Although still under contract, Bos accompanied the team on their Jamsil road trip on the 4th and 5th but is scheduled to be officially removed from the first division roster ahead of the 6th-day match. The vacancy will be filled by "ace" Ariel Huardo, who has returned from a shoulder injury. Huardo led the mound this season with 107 innings pitched in 17 games, posting a record of 5 wins and 1 loss with an ERA of 3.11 as the team's top starter. For Samsung, which is currently leading the regular league standings and aiming directly for the Korean Series, Huardo's return was crucial, and thus the decision to part ways with Bos had been made well in advance.

However, Bos did not lose the dignity of a "professional" until the very last moment. Having joined as a replacement for Huardo in July, Bos actually struggled during the early stages of adapting to the KBO League. He suffered three consecutive losses: on July 26 against Doosan (5 innings, 2 earned runs), on August 2 against Lotte (3 innings, 7 earned runs), and on August 12 against KIA (4 innings, 4 earned runs).

His true value emerged in the second half. On August 19 against SSG, he fired a signal of his comeback with 5 innings pitched, striking out 12 batters while allowing only 2 earned runs. On the 25th against Kiwoom, he delivered 6 innings with just 2 earned runs, recording his first Quality Start (QS) in the KBO League.

The highlight was his farewell game on the 1st against Daegu Lotte. He pitched 7 scoreless innings, allowing only 6 hits and walking 1 batter while striking out 6. Especially memorable was the scene in the top of the 7th inning with one out and runners on first and second bases, where Bos, relying on the trust of pitching coach Choi Il-eon, induced a double play from Son Seong-bin. After the game, Bos smiled broadly, saying, "We held strong even in crisis. The cutter that led to the 7th-inning double play was the most satisfying."

Bos's final stats were 6 games, 2 wins, 3 losses, and an ERA of 4.80. While not outstanding numbers, his fighting spirit went beyond statistics, filling the void in the starting rotation with his body and becoming a decisive pillar in the race for first place. Having proven a perfect comeback in his last two games, it is possible that Bos's connection with the KBO League stage may not be completely over.

The "Boss," who stepped up as a starter and steadfastly protected Samsung's mound over six games, ended his chapter on a high note amid thunderous applause from his teammates.

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*This content was translated by AI.