'Only Two in Korea, the U.S., and Japan': At 41, Woo Kyu-min begins to approach Asia's first-ever grand record... The 'divine move' made by KT three years ago has returned as a blessing

*This content was translated by AI.

"I believe that 900 games is not an end for me, but rather another beginning."

In his 23rd professional season, even as he walks a path no other right-handed pitcher in the KBO League has ever taken, Woo Kyu-min (41, KT Wiz) still has no intention of stopping.

As of the conclusion of the game on the 6th, Woo Kyu-min has appeared in 902 career games in the KBO, recording 88 wins, 89 losses, 123 holds, and 91 saves across 1507⅓ innings with 948 strikeouts. He recently became only the third pitcher in history to reach 900 appearances, following Jung Woo-ram (former Hanwha Eagles) and Ryu Taek-hyun (former LG Twins). This is a first for a right-handed pitcher. Considering that left-handed one-inning relievers historically had more opportunities to appear in games, the rarity of a right-hander reaching 900 appearances is even greater.

Meeting Woo Kyu-min ahead of the the 5th game against Gwangju KIA Tigers, he said, "The title of being the first right-handed pitcher to reach this milestone is incredibly gratifying and makes me proud of myself," while adding calmly, "I don't attach too much significance to reaching 900 games. Another day has passed, so now I am preparing for the next game."

The way he reached 900 games is also special. Woo Kyu-min was selected by LG in the second round (19th overall) of the 2003 KBO Rookie Draft and made his first-team debut in 2004. As a closer, he recorded 30 saves in 2007 at age 30, then transitioned to a starting role and achieved double-digit wins for three consecutive years from 2013 to 2015. After moving to the Samsung Lions in 2017, he returned to the bullpen and recorded 24 holds in 2021. Having served as a starter in 130 games, a middle reliever in over 500 games, and a closer in more than 260 games, he surpassed 900 appearances after having experienced virtually every pitching role.

Woo Kyu-min said, "I think it can serve as an inspiration to younger players that I reached 900 games while switching between starting, relief, and closing roles," and added, "I want to manage my body well enough not only to be satisfied with where I am now but also to aim for 1,000 games."

As he has quietly walked this path, another road that no one in Korean baseball has ever tread began to faintly appear before him: the so-called "Triple 100" — 100 wins, 100 holds, and 100 saves.

This is a record rarely seen even across professional baseball in Korea, the U.S., and Japan. Tom Gordon (59), who spent his prime with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB), was the first to achieve it in 2008 with 890 games, 138 wins, 126 losses, 110 holds, and 158 saves. He was followed by Uehara Koji (51), who accomplished the feat across both Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and MLB in 2018 with 134 wins, 93 losses, 104 holds, and 128 saves. If Woo Kyu-min achieves all three records in double digits within a single KBO league season, he will become the first Asian player to do so.

With 12 wins short of 100 and 9 saves short of 100, it seemed impossible for him, a 41-year-old middle reliever. However, recent circumstances at KT have slightly increased the possibility. KT will send So Hyoung-jun (25), Oh Won-seok (25), and closer Park Young-hyun (23) to represent South Korea at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Currently in second place, just 1.5 games behind Samsung Lions, KT is facing the most intense battle for first place while simultaneously losing two starters and their closer.

KT manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) is actually more worried about the back end of the bullpen. Manager Lee said, "Starting pitchers are important, but not having a closer is a headache," naming Woo Kyu-min as one of the alternatives. He added, "(Woo) Kyu-min has good control, which makes games manageable. He already has experience as a closer and doesn't get nervous," expressing his confidence in him.

Woo Kyu-min does not shy away from responsibility. He said, "When (Park) Young-hyun is out, we need a pitcher to take responsibility for the final outs. I told our pitchers that whoever takes the role should focus on getting the 27th out cleanly," and added, "Of course, I would prefer to be the one who gets the 27th out, but it doesn't matter who does it. We keep telling each other to do our best so that Park Young-hyun's absence won't be noticeable."

As such, describing Woo Kyu-min's value to KT solely through statistics falls short. After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Woo Kyu-min was selected by KT with the sixth pick in the first round of the KBO's second draft, moving from Samsung at the age of 39.

The results exceeded expectations. In three years with KT, he appeared in 143 games, recording 6 wins, 3 losses, 17 holds, and 1 save with an ERA of 2.54. Rather than bringing in a veteran in his twilight years, KT acquired a bullpen arm still capable of handling high-leverage situations. He pitched whenever needed, regardless of whether it was for the lead or chase role. While KT consistently competed for a postseason spot, Woo Kyu-min filled gaps on the mound from behind the scenes and surpassed 900 appearances.

His presence is also significant off the mound. There is a saying within the KT bullpen that "there are two mothers." If Go Young-pyo (35), known as the "Guardian of Jangam Gate," answers younger players' questions in detail and gently points out even their mistakes, Woo Kyu-min is the type who embraces his teammates with warmth and comfort.

KT first-team pitching coach Jeong Chun-mo (44) remarked, "Veterans like (Woo) Kyu-min and (Go) Young-pyo have laid the foundation. I am just creating an environment where players can thrive." A club official also explained, "If you answer each of the players' questions one by one like Ko Yeong-pyo-ga (Prof.) does, Woo Kyu-min truly takes great care of his teammates. The younger players trust and follow him."

In fact, Woo Kyu-min felt shy when referred to as a "big brother." He said, "I talk a lot with the relief pitchers. Rather than focusing on age differences, we joke around like brothers and have serious conversations when needed," and added with a smile, "The young players are truly kind and have great passion for baseball. It feels like we create synergy together. I feel younger myself."

He does not show greed for the "Triple 100" record. Woo Kyu-min said, "In a way, that is in the realm of divine intervention. Since I am neither a starter nor a closer right now, rather than being greedy, I think it's just about luck," and added, "I give my best every time I go out on the mound. If points accumulate one by one, such an achievement might happen."

What he desires more is the Korean Series, which he has never experienced before. Woo Kyu-min emphasized, "I have no experience in the Korean Series yet. Participating in it is my bigger goal. I believe personal records will follow naturally as long as I continue playing baseball as I do now."

As such, over the past three years, Woo Kyu-min has been there whenever KT needed him most. Even at 41, he appeared whenever necessary and embraced young pitchers after leaving the mound. This is why KT's decision to select him in the second draft three years ago is regarded as a "divine move."

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*This content was translated by AI.