“1,829 days ago” — They never forgot that day… Won Tae-in: “I will pitch with a desire for revenge”

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Both teams had not forgotten “that day.”

At the 2026 KBO League Korea Series media day held on the 2nd at Ramada Plaza Suwon in Suwon, both KT Wiz and Samsung Lions brought up the “1st-place decider (tiebreaker)” from five years ago as a topic of conversation.

When asked about his resolve heading into this Korea Series, Samsung pitcher Won Tae-in (26) said solemnly, “I tasted defeat in the tiebreaker, and I experienced pain in the Korea Series two years ago (against KIA Tigers). I will pitch hard with a sense of frustration and a desire for revenge so that we can definitely win the championship this time.”

In 2021, KT and Samsung finished the regular season tied with identical records of 76 wins, 9 draws, and 59 losses. In accordance with regulations, a single-game showdown to determine the top team was held on October 31 at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.

Cuevas started for KT, while Won Tae-in took the mound as the starter for Samsung. A tense 0-0 balance continued through the fifth inning. In the top of the sixth, KT scored a precious first run off an error by the opposing team and a hit by Kang Baek-ho, which became the only score and the winning run of that game. Cuevas secured the win with seven innings pitched, one hit allowed, and no runs allowed, but Won Tae-in took the loss after pitching six innings, allowing two hits and one unearned run.

KT, having won 1-0, advanced directly to the Korea Series and experienced the thrill of their first championship in franchise history. Samsung, pushed down to the playoffs, suffered a two-game sweep (under the then-best-of-three format) from Doosan Bears, who finished fourth in the regular season, and ended their season in third place in vain. The fates of the two teams diverged sharply based on the result of just one game.

While it was a painful defeat for Samsung, it remains a thrilling memory for KT. KT Manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) reflected on the 1st-place decider against Samsung at the media day that day while announcing Daniel (29) as the starting pitcher for Game 1.

He said, “Even when we won the Korea Series in 2021, we did not have a definitive ace starter. But through the tiebreaker, Cuevas rose to the level of an ace starter. The ace starter was completed as the season progressed,” adding, “This time, Daniel has also adjusted well to become an ace starter through games,” expressing his expectations.

This is the first postseason matchup between KT and Samsung. However, they experienced a fierce contest in the 2021 tiebreaker that was no different from a “one-game Korea Series.” As of the 3rd, when Game 1 of the Korea Series will be held, it has been 1,829 days since that day. It remains to be seen how the vivid memories of that day will impact both teams in this series.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original