[Official] The "tearful" foreign investor ace who left LG returns to Jamsil on his birthday! Casey Kelly to throw first pitch in KIA game on the 4th... Jamsil's guardian +1R rookie also takes the mound

*This content was translated by AI.

Casey Kelly (37), a "loyal foreign investor" who left a deep mark on the history of the Seoul LG Twins, will once again stand on the mound at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

LG announced on the 1st that Kelly will serve as the ceremonial first-pitch thrower for the home game against the KIA Tigers to be held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 4th.

Born on October 4, 1989, Kelly is turning 37 on this day. It has been more than two years since he last stood on the Jamsil mound wearing the LG uniform in July 2024, and he will now throw a ball in front of LG fans again.

The bond between Kelly and LG was more than that of a simple foreign player and a team. After joining LG in 2019, Kelly appeared in 163 games over six seasons through 2024, recording a 73-46 win-loss record and an ERA of 3.25. His 73 wins are the most by a foreign pitcher in LG history. In 2022, he led the league with 16 wins, and most importantly, in the 2023 Korea Series, he posted a 1-0 record in two games with an ERA of 1.59, playing a decisive role in LG securing their first integrated championship in 29 years.

That is why the parting in July 2024 was all the more poignant. Even after the decision to replace the foreign player was made, Kelly expressed his desire to personally throw a ball one last time in front of the Jamsil home fans. He started against Doosan on July 20, but the game was called a no-game due to heavy rain in the third inning.

At the subsequent farewell ceremony, Kelly could not hold back his tears. His teammates also wept, and fans stayed in their seats to bid him a final goodbye. Kelly performed a deep bow to the fans, and the players lifted him in a traditional celebratory lift to see off the ace who had been with them for six years.

The bond did not break even after leaving LG. While staying in Arizona, USA, Kelly visited LG's spring camp directly this year, following 2025, to meet his former teammates. This year, he expressed his affection, saying, "I have a desire to go back again. I miss all the players." In August last month, he also sent a text message directly to Austin Dean (33), who was going through a difficult time, to encourage him.

However, this will be his first ceremonial first pitch. Through the team, Kelly said, "It is nostalgic to return to Jamsil. I have made countless unforgettable memories here with the best fans in the league, the LG Twins fans. This visit seems like it will be a very heartwarming time for me and my family."

He added, "Being able to experience winning the Korea Series at Jamsil is something I will be grateful for for the rest of my life. I am grateful to the fans and the team who have always warmly welcomed our family and made us feel like Seoul was home. I will continue to wish for the success of the LG Twins."

The three-game series itself is being arranged as a time to reminisce about the "last Jamsil." On the 3rd, the day before Kelly's first pitch, Director Kim Jong-moon of Technogreen, who has been responsible for managing the grounds at Jamsil Baseball Stadium from 1999 until this year for approximately 27 years, will take the mound.

Considering the significance of it being the final season at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, LG has specially arranged this first pitch. Director Kim Jong-moon expressed his feelings about throwing the first pitch, saying, "It is hard to believe that Jamsil Baseball Stadium, where I have worked for 27 years, will be closed this year. It is an honor to throw the first pitch on such a meaningful day."

On the 5th, Yoon Ye-seong (17, Inchang High School), who was selected by LG with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft, will take the mound. Yoon is a promising pitcher known for his fastballs exceeding 150 km/h, having recorded a 4-2 win-loss record, an ERA of 2.95, and 67 strikeouts in 58⅓ innings across 13 games this year. Yoon conveyed his ambitious resolve, saying, "It is a great honor to join the LG Twins, the best team in the KBO League. I will become a player who contributes to the team and aim for the Rookie of the Year award next season."

During this three-game series, a 'Goodbye Jamsil' commemorative merchandise pop-up exhibition will be held next to the central ticket office at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, and an 'LG Twins X Matisse Kim' collaboration pop-up store will operate in the outfield catchball area.

Additionally, memory walls where fans can freely write messages will be installed at the first base outfield entrance gate and the first base infield plaza, creating a space for fans to reminisce about Jamsil Baseball Stadium. The team plans to read the messages written on the memory wall directly, select impressive ones, and provide prizes to the writers.

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*This content was translated by AI.