Shakes off "illegal pitching" stigma, rises to MVP! Sangmu's Kim Ki-joong: "It was unfair, but things worked out well → Because I had a clear conscience"

*This content was translated by AI.

The "illegal pitching" stigma that unexpectedly arose in the hot July of last year was washed away in the most complete manner. Kim Ki-joong (24), a left-handed pitcher for Sangmu Phoenix, dominated the mound in the Futures League Championship Game, handing his team the championship trophy and being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Sangmu defeated Ulsan Whales 8-3 in the single-game showdown of the "2026 Medihil Futures League Championship" held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul on the 28th. They successfully reclaimed the top spot after wiping out the regret of finishing as runner-up behind KT Wiz last season just one year later.

The star of the Lee Nal (SVP) victory was Kim Ki-joong, who took the mound as the second pitcher. Sangmu trailed early as starter Kim Dae-ho allowed two runs in the first inning, but the lineup immediately tied the game and seized control. Kim Ki-joong, who pitched next, shut down the opposing lineup with just one run (unearned) over five innings, crushing Ulsan's pursuit.

This championship and MVP award hold special significance for Kim Ki-joong. This is because he faced an unexpected trial in a game held at Goyang Stadium on July 25 of last year, just two months ago.

At the time, Kim Ki-joong, who started the game, was immediately ejected after being flagged for a substance on his glove during a surprise foreign object inspection by the umpires following his pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning, and faced the risk of a 10-game suspension under KBO regulations. However, after the KBO subsequently retrieved the glove and conducted a detailed investigation, it was finally confirmed that the leaked substance was not intentionally applied by the player, but rather "adhesive (compound) inside the glove melted due to extreme heat and seeped through the holes in the laces." It was officially revealed that there was no illegal pitching, and the suspension was revoked without additional sanctions, but it was a shocking misfortune that could have greatly shaken a young pitcher mentally.

Kim Ki-joong, who appeared for an official interview after the game, recalled the situation at the time and shared his honest feelings. He said, "The weather in Goyang that day was really hot. There were no problems at all until I pitched in the first or second inning, and I had no idea that the compound inside the glove was melting and leaking out. When you pitch as a starter, you don't usually look closely at your glove, do you?" He added, "It was an unavoidable part of the rules, but since I hadn't done anything, there were parts where I felt it was unfair."

However, Kim Ki-joong did not waver. He said, "Still, Manager Park Chi-wang helped me a lot, and I was glad that things worked out well," adding calmly, "Above all, because I had a clear conscience myself, I was able to endure without worrying too much about such matters."

The manager also showed unwavering trust in Kim Ki-joong's strengthened inner strength. Manager Park Chi-wang (SVP) said, "Kim Ki-joong must have been very confused after experiencing a situation he did not intend during the summer," adding, "I think he gained a great lesson personally as well. His actions and words became much calmer after that incident. I believed that if I put him on the mound today, he would definitely pitch his own pitches calmly."

True to Manager Park's faith, Kim Ki-joong performed 120% of his role on the biggest stage. Kim Ki-joong said, "The coaching staff told me in advance that I would go out as the second pitcher, so I was well prepared. (Kim) Dae-ho hyung pitched well before me, and catcher (Lee) Yul-ye and the other infielder hyungs helped a lot on defense, allowing me to pitch comfortably from behind," crediting his teammates.

He continued, "I didn't have many walks this season, but I hit a lot of hits and was deeply concerned, so I talked a lot with the catchers and received guidance from pitching coach Lee Jung-sik, and my pace improved as we moved into the second half of the season. Today's great pitching and MVP award gave me a lot of confidence in my pitches," he said emphatically.

Kim Ki-joong, who cleared his name and perfectly proved his value with his skills, now looks to higher places. He said, "Since the season is over, I will diligently complete winter off-season training to maintain good momentum," adding, "I will prepare well so that I can immediately contribute to the team when I return to my original team (Hanwha) during the next season."

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*This content was translated by AI.