'Shock' turns out to be a side injury he played through! Kang Min-ho: "I didn't want to lose to KIA → Because everyone expected us to lose"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Veteran catcher Kang Min-ho (41, Samsung Lions), who had to kneel before the KIA Tigers and wipe away tears in the 2024 season Korean Series two years ago, has finally completed his long-awaited revenge. It turned out that this achievement was born from his determination to force his way onto the field despite suffering a severe injury that made normal batting impossible.

Samsung defeated KIA 6-1 in their home game against the Tigers in Game 5 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO playoffs, held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 1st. With this victory, Samsung advanced to the Korean Series with a series record of three wins and two losses. This is only the second time they have reached the Korean Series in the past two seasons. When met immediately after the game ended, Kang Min-ho's expression showed a mix of relief and overwhelming emotion.

In fact, Kang Min-ho played through this playoff stage with an incomplete physical condition. According to Kang Min-ho himself, his serious side injury resulted in poor hospital examination findings, leaving him unable to execute a normal full swing. This is why he managed by refraining from leg kicks at the plate and using a batting method that merely tapped the ball with the center of the bat. It was obvious to anyone watching that something was wrong with his physical condition.

Regarding this, Kang Min-ho revealed, "My side was in bad shape, making it difficult to swing fully," adding, "So every time I stepped into the batter's box, I kept praying from the on-deck circle, 'Please let a runner get out there.' Because if a runner gets out there, I can at least lay down a bunt." He said this with an awkward smile.

Manager Park Jin-man advised Kang Min-ho to wait on the bench and rest, but he could not break Kang Min-ho's stubbornness. "The manager kept telling me to sit out, but I told him, 'My body is less important than the game right now. Even if my side bursts open on the field, I will keep wearing the mask until the very end, until I can celebrate and come off the field,'" he conveyed his solemn resolve. Manager Park also could not break Kang Min-ho's will.

Behind his endurance of such pain appears to lie the pain of two years ago and a stubbornness to fight against public prejudice. Kang Min-ho, who swallowed his frustration after losing to KIA in his first Korean Series two years ago, had firmly prepared for this matchup. In the 2024 Korean Series, Kang Min-ho played in four games but struggled with a batting average of .154 (two hits in 13 at-bats). He also committed two errors.

Kang Min-ho stated emphatically, "It is my personal opinion, but even if we lose in the Korean Series, I really did not want to lose to KIA," adding, "I definitely wanted to take revenge. Moreover, didn't all experts, including the media, predict that we would lose (in the playoffs)? That made me want to beat KIA even more."

A veteran in his 23rd professional season who has enjoyed numerous titles and glories, but for Kang Min-ho, a Korean Series championship ring remains an unresolved final task.

When asked about the meaning of the Korean Series, Kang Min-ho emphasized "dream" without a moment's hesitation. He declared his firm determination to give it his all: "I have taken another step toward my dream. If I rest here just because it hurts, there is no guarantee that I will return to the Korean Series again. My only mindset is to try until the end, even if I burst open on the field. This time, I will pour out everything I have so that I can wear the championship ring and fulfill my dream."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original