*This content was translated by AI.
As the season enters its final stretch with fierce standings battles, '21-year Veteran' Kim Hyun-soo (38) of KT Wiz, who led his team to victory by achieving a historic 1,600 career RBIs—the third in KBO League history—left a weighty word of advice for his younger teammates. He urged them to be stricter with themselves regarding the so-called 'management baseball' trend that has recently taken root in the baseball world.
On the 9th, Kim Hyun-soo started as the designated hitter batting fifth in an away game against Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. In the top of the 6th inning with the score tied 0-0, he launched a decisive two-run home run that broke the deadlock, firmly propelling his team to a 2-0 victory. With this win, second-place KT closed the gap to just 0.5 games behind first-place Samsung, intensifying the race for the top spot.
Especially as the slugger who led the team to victory that day, Kim Hyun-soo reached the milestone of 1,600 career RBIs in KBO League history. Only two players have achieved 1,600 RBIs in KBO history before him: Samsung's Choi Hyung-woo (1,833 RBIs) and SSG Landers' Choi Jeong (1,681 RBIs), making it an immense golden monument ranking third all-time in the league.
Although he dismantled opposing starter Won Tae-in with a decisive two-run home run during his strong performance, Kim Hyun-soo showed veteran humility even before the historic achievement and victory in his post-game interview. "Won Tae-in had great stuff," he said. "I didn't hit it particularly well; I just didn't miss the mistake pitch."
Struggling with a batting slump since July, when his average dropped into the .200s and causing him significant mental strain, he calmly stated, "After playing baseball for so long, I honestly didn't know what was wrong. I've been practicing hard, and the hitting coach and the performance analysis team have continued to help me, which is why I think I'm managing to hold on. I am grateful to the coaches and the performance analysis team. I need to keep studying and training hard to raise (my pace) even further."
Regarding his achievement of 1,600 RBIs, Kim Hyun-soo said, "I actually didn't know. After hitting the home run, I went into the dugout and they told me, so I found out. So I just thought that's how it is. If you play baseball for a long time, anyone can do it. You just need to stay healthy and play for a long time. I think all players who will play longer in the future will achieve this as well," dismissing it lightly.
However, when it came to his attitude toward baseball, he was uncompromising. In particular, he delivered a cutting remark about the recent atmosphere in professional baseball where rest is easily granted even for minor discomforts. Kim Hyun-soo said firmly, "These days, players are well-managed and don't get hurt, which is good, but as soon as they feel a little pain, they make a fuss saying 'they'll take care of me.' I don't understand why management needs to be so necessary. You just need to be a bit harsher on yourself."
When asked about overcoming slumps, he offered an extremely realistic and detached answer. Kim Hyun-soo said, "I think I've passed the age where I can 'overcome' anything. Because of my age, rather than thinking about 'overcoming,' I should now think that retirement is approaching." He added calmly, "There's nothing to be done now. Let's quickly think about the next (batting plate). This is how it is. I think all players who grow older and become Veterans tend to think this way."
The 21-year 'Veteran' who holds himself to endlessly harsh standards and swings his bat desperately at every plate. In an era where the phrase "rest if you hurt a little" has become commonplace, Kim Hyun-soo's weighty words are once again reminding us of the meaning of the 'iron man' that is disappearing from the recent KBO League.
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*This content was translated by AI.
