'I endured eight years as a shortstop': Park Chan-ho of 8 billion won becomes the first infielder in KBO history to achieve... A record of 130 games played for eight consecutive seasons... The manager also said, "On one hand, I feel somewhat sorry."

*This content was translated by AI.

He repeated the arduous task of playing more than 130 games every year as a shortstop for eight years. Park Chan-ho (31) of the Doosan Bears has reached an area no infielder in the KBO League has ever tread before.

Park Chan-ho started at first spot in the batting order and as shortstop in the away game against KT Wiz held at SuwonKT Wiz Park on the 19th, recording two hits and one run in four at-bats. Although Doosan suffered a heavy defeat with a score of 3-15, Park Chan-ho, who recorded a multi-hit performance in his 130th game of the season, was one of the few sources of consolation.

He reached base from his first at-bat. In the top of the first inning, as the leadoff batter, Park Chan-ho's hit struck KT starter Daniel Davis's glove and rolled into center field for a hit. With his speed, he advanced to second base on an error by the opposing second baseman during a fielder's choice, then to third base on a ground ball by Kim Min-seok, and scored on Yunion Severino's RBI double. He hit another single to left field in the second inning before flying out in his next at-bat. After the game turned heavily against them, he was substituted for Park Ji-hoon before the bottom of the seventh inning defense and ended his day.

However, simply appearing in today's game allowed Park Chan-ho to set a historic record. Starting with 133 games in 2019, Park has successfully played more than 130 games for eight consecutive seasons up to this season. The only player in the KBO League to have achieved this record first is Son Ah-seop (38·Doosan), who played 130 or more games for eight consecutive years from 2016 to 2023. Park Chan-ho has now become the second person in history and the first infielder to make the list.

Moreover, his position is shortstop. It is a demanding role that requires constant movement in all directions, sudden changes of direction, and repeated strong throws every game, leading to significant physical exhaustion. In previous records of 130 or more consecutive games played, shortstops Kim Sung-hyun (retired), Oh Ji-hwan (36·LG Twins), and Sim Woo-jun (31·Hanwha Eagles) recorded five consecutive seasons, but Park Chan-ho has continued for a much longer period of eight seasons.

Park Chan-ho, who graduated from Jangchung High School, joined the KIA Tigers as the 50th overall pick in the second round of the 2014 KBO Rookie Draft. He has grown into a representative shortstop of the league, winning the stolen base champion title twice (2019 and 2022), the Defensive Award twice (2023-2024), and the Golden Glove once (2024).

Doosan signed Park Chan-ho to a four-year FA contract worth up to 8 billion won (5 billion won signing bonus, total salary of 2.8 billion won, and 200 million won in incentives) last November. While his dazzling award history, speed, and wide defensive range were attractive, his durability was an indispensable strength.

He logged 5,481 innings as a shortstop over the past five seasons until last year, ranking first during that period. This season, before the game on the 19th, he was responsible for 1,084 and one-third innings in 128 games, ranking third in defensive innings across all positions in the league and first among shortstops.

Kim Won-hyung (54), Doosan's manager who has witnessed this record up close, spoke of feeling sorry rather than just pride. Before the game on the 19th, Manager Kim said, "In Park Chan-ho's case, I also feel somewhat sorry on one hand. He holds a large share in our team," and added, "He is a shortstop defensively, and since we don't have many games where we win or lose by a large margin, there are many games he cannot afford to miss."

This meant that he was not a player who could be easily rested. Manager Kim conveyed his true feelings: "Nevertheless, it is truly appreciated by a manager when a player continues to play without hesitation and handles innings."

Park Chan-ho's presence extends beyond the field. As young position players like Ahn Jae-seok (24), Kim Min-seok (22), and Park Jun-soon (20) establish themselves in the first division, he plays a role of approaching them comfortably but firmly taking charge when needed. A Doosan Bears official also noted, "Park Chan-ho serves as a focal point for young players. No matter who it is, they follow Park Chan-ho's words well."

From 2019 to 2026, eight seasons have passed. The team changed, and countless seasons went by, but Park Chan-ho was always between second base and third base. The value of the 8 billion won FA contract was revealed not only in a dazzling single game but also in the ability to stand on the field every day.

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*This content was translated by AI.