"They don't ask a single person." KS MVP's unexpected confession... Why KT's juniors don't seek out their "champion senior" — "I just need to do my job well"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Kim Hyun-soo (38), last year's Korea Series MVP, shared his unexpected impressions of the atmosphere within the KT Wiz team as they prepare for the Korea Series.

After finishing a Korea Series preparation training session at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 21st, Kim spoke to reporters, saying, "Lately, everyone prepares so well that no one really asks me anything. I think I just need to do my job well."

This was his answer to a reporter's question asking whether young KT juniors who are experiencing fall baseball or the Korea Series for the first time seek advice from Kim. Kim is a 21-year veteran who has experienced numerous fall baseball seasons through his stints with the Doosan Bears and LG Twins. Last year, he led LG to a double crown and won the Korea Series MVP before signing a three-year free agent contract worth a total of 5 billion won to join KT.

He was not simply a player who excelled at hitting. Since his days with LG, Kim has served as a role model for juniors through rigorous self-management and leading by example. KT Manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) expressed satisfaction during this year's spring camp, stating, "I now understand why we use Kim Hyun-soo. Watching him practice, he is truly a great player. If I had just said 'I know why it's Kim Hyun-soo,' that would have been the end of it."

In fact, Kim appeared in 142 games this year, recording a .286 batting average (159 hits in 555 at-bats), 14 home runs, and 95 RBIs, contributing to KT's regular season championship. He fulfilled his role even after transitioning from the familiar outfield to first base.

The KT team that Kim newly experienced was one where it was not necessary for veterans to step forward and teach or correct everything. This year, KT recorded 90 wins, 5 draws, and 49 losses (a .647 winning percentage), setting franchise records for the most wins in a single season and the highest winning percentage. It marked their first regular season title in five years since 2021.

The solo lead was not smooth from the start. The team began with a 19-9 record in March and April but slowed to an 11-12 record in June. In September, three key pitchers—So Hyoung-jun (25), Oh Won-seok (25), and Park Young-hyun (23)—were called up to the Asian Games national team.

Each time, it was the veterans who kept the team centered. Captain Jang Sung-woo (36), along with Kim Hyun-soo, Heo Kyung-min (36), Kim Sang-su (36), Ko Young-pyo (35), and Woo Gyu-min (41), led the squad from their respective positions. Catcher Han Seung-taek (32), who joined the team this year, also testified in a previous interview with StarNews, saying, "Even when we went on two-game or three-game losing streaks, senior Sung-woo and the other veteran seniors kept us steady." He explained that the squad remained stable centered around the veterans, allowing them to bounce back before slumps could become prolonged.

What Jang Sung-woo emphasized from before the season was in the same vein. During this year's spring camp, he stressed, "A team with many good players is a strong team. The team can only develop if each player constantly strives to improve." This meant that beyond simply being a friendly team, they needed to become a strong team where everyone contributes their skills.

The pitching group established the same culture in a slightly different way. There is a saying in KT's bullpen that there are "two mothers." While Ko Young-pyo is the type who gives detailed advice to juniors and points out mistakes, Woo Gyu-min plays the role of providing comfort. Woo Gyu-min, now in his 23rd professional year, said, "I talk a lot with the relief pitchers. Rather than thinking about the age gap, we joke around like older and younger brothers, but when it's time for serious conversation, we have that too."

The leadership Kim experienced in the position player group was not much different. Kim explained, "It's all about communication. We try to prepare in advance, both before games and during them. I've been through a lot of this since I was young." He added, "It might seem simple, but we occasionally say things like 'Hey, that runner is slow' or 'Hey, that runner is fast.' That really sticks in people's heads. When you're young, you don't know; there is a difference between just thinking it internally and saying it out loud once. I think that works well."

The experience and communication accumulated in this way translated into the players' confidence. This year, Choi Won-jun (29) posted a .356 batting average with 208 hits and 125 runs scored, while Sam Hilliard (32) hit 44 home runs and drove in 139 runs to win the RBI championship. Ko Young-pyo also led the starting rotation with 15 wins. The result of each player performing at their position was the franchise's first 90-win season.

For the same reason, Kim named Choi Won-jun as the player who would play the most fearlessly in the Korea Series. He highly praised him, saying, "Won-jun had a career-best performance this year, but beyond that, he was fearless enough to set a career record. During the season, there should have been moments where he could waver, but he didn't. So I think he is the most fearless and will continue not to waver."

This does not mean the role of veterans has disappeared. The mere fact that seniors with big game experience are holding things up from behind gives juniors strength. Kim said, "It's easy to charge in fearlessly. And it's comfortable knowing there is a place to lean on with the seniors; that's good." When asked if he himself, as a veteran, had no one to lean on, he laughed and replied, "I don't have anyone. I have to make sure (there is a place for juniors to lean on) somehow."

KT will challenge for their second double crown against the winner of the playoff between the Samsung Lions and KIA Tigers starting November 2. Kim Hyun-soo also aims for his second consecutive Korea Series title, following last year's victory with LG. He conveyed his determination, saying, "Since we finished first in the regular season, we are doing this to win the championship again. I know my game sense has dropped significantly, so I am working hard to regain that feel."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original