'Shocking 7-game losing streak': Foreign investor who left LG in tears, advice he conveyed upon visiting Jamsil Stadium...

*This content was translated by AI.

Despite Casey Kelly (37), regarded as the greatest foreign pitcher in LG Twins history, throwing the ceremonial first pitch, the team fell into a 7-game losing streak. Nevertheless, he offered sincere advice to his former teammates before the game.

LG is going through a difficult time at the end of the season. On the 4th, in a home game against the KIA Tigers during the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium, LG suffered a painful 5-6 comeback loss. The bullpen collapsed in the top of the 9th inning while leading by two runs, allowing three runs and resulting in defeat.

With this loss, LG dropped to fourth place, ceding third place to KIA (74 wins, 61 losses, 2 draws). LG recorded a record of 75 wins, 62 losses, and 1 draw. The gap between KIA and LG became '0'.

Ahead of the game that day, a familiar face visited Jamsil Stadium. It was Kelly. He had come to Jamsil Stadium as the ceremonial first pitch thrower to wish for victory.

After donning the LG uniform in 2019, Kelly served as the heart of the LG pitching staff for six seasons until 2024. Over his total of six seasons, he appeared in 163 games, recording 73 wins and 46 losses with an ERA of 3.25. The 73 wins are a record for the most wins by a foreign pitcher in LG history. In 2022, he won the winning title with 16 victories. In particular, in 2023, he appeared in two Korea Series games, posting a strong record of 1 win, no losses, and an ERA of 1.59, leading the team to the championship for the first time in 29 years.

Kelly left LG after his farewell ceremony held at Jamsil Stadium on July 20, 2024. At the time, amidst heavy rain, he shed tears profusely, moving LG fans deeply. And now, about two years and two months later, he returned to Jamsil Stadium to cheer for his former teammates.

Before the ceremonial first pitch, Kelly met with reporters and spoke about his feelings at returning to Jamsil Stadium: "I feel a comfort like home, as if I never left and have been here all along. In particular, I spent a lot of time here with my children. It is wonderful that I can bring them back to share memories together."

Kelly appeared significantly slimmer than during his playing days. He said, "When I was an active player, I needed the muscle endurance required to start about 30 games in a season. So there was a part where I increased my weight. Now that I am not playing baseball, I do not need that much muscle mass, so I have lost weight."

Kelly shared, "As soon as we arrived at the stadium, my wife was overcome with emotion and on the verge of tears. So I comforted her by saying 'you must not cry.' Memories from when I first came here came back vividly. I remembered how warmly the fans welcomed us and how happily the club staff greeted us. In particular, the city of Seoul holds great meaning for me. I am grateful and feel a special nostalgia at being able to return here."

That day, Kelly climbed onto the mound before the game to throw a powerful ceremonial first pitch, then watched the game from the press box. When Austin hit a home run, he cheered as if it were his own achievement. However, LG ultimately suffered its 7th consecutive loss after the bullpen collapsed.

Kelly advised, "Right now is the most physically and mentally exhausting and difficult time after going through a long season." He continued, "But our LG is a resilient team that has achieved the great feat of advancing to the postseason for eight consecutive years. The players themselves know best what they need to do in this moment to win and with what mindset they should approach it. I firmly believe that they will wisely overcome this difficult situation and achieve the ultimate goal everyone desires."

In fact, LG has successfully advanced to the postseason for eight consecutive seasons since Kelly joined the team. This is a first in the 10th-team system. Also, looking at the entire history of the KBO League, it ranks fourth behind Samsung (12 consecutive years, 1997~2008), and tied second place held by Samsung (9 consecutive years; postseason not held in 1984, 1985; 1986~1993) and KIA (1986~1994).

Finally, Kelly addressed the LG fans: "I sincerely thank you for your unwavering support and love for me and my family over the years. Thanks to your support, our entire family has deeply felt that we are 'Seoul people' and 'members of the LG Twins family.' I bow my head in sincere gratitude to all fans who have sent us constant support and love."

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*This content was translated by AI.