"It was worth the wait." The bitter fate of teams advancing to the Korea Series after he leaves, finally ended! How did a 23-year veteran right-hander with the most career appearances prepare? [Korea Series Game 1 On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Woo Kyu-min (41, KT Wiz), a 23-year veteran right-hander who holds the record for the most career appearances by a right-handed pitcher in KBO League history, could not hide his excitement about stepping onto the Korea Series stage for the first time since his professional debut.

Ahead of Game 1 of the Korea Series (best-of-seven) against the Samsung Lions, scheduled to be held on the 3rd at Suwon KT Wiz Park, Woo met with reporters and said, "I feel more excitement than nervousness. In any case, having played in countless games, my sense of anticipation outweighs any tension."

It is a stage he waited for over an incredible 23 seasons. Woo was drafted by the LG Twins in the third round (19th overall pick) of the second phase of the 2003 rookie draft and made his first division debut in 2004. He played 13 seasons with LG before transferring to Samsung in 2017, where he spent seven seasons. Since 2024, he has worn the KT uniform.

During that time, he experienced roles as a starter, middle reliever, and closer. He recorded 30 saves in 2007 and achieved double-digit win totals for three consecutive years starting from 2013. In 2021, he logged 24 holds. This year, he protected KT's bullpen with a record of one win, no losses, five holds, and an ERA of 3.35 in 51 games.

As of the end of the regular season, he has appeared in 908 career games, ranking second all-time in pitcher appearances behind Jung Woo-ram's 1,005 games. He is a living history as the first right-handed pitcher to reach the milestone of 900 career appearances.

However, he had no connection with the Korea Series itself. Coincidentally, the teams he left advanced to the Korea Series. LG achieved its first combined championship in 29 years in 2023, after Woo transferred to Samsung, and Samsung reached the Korea Series in 2024, immediately after he moved to KT.

Woo was well aware of this bitter fate. He smiled and said, "It is indeed painful that LG won the championship after I left, and Samsung went to the Korea Series after I departed. Still, I am very satisfied with the fact that we are playing in the Korea Series right now. I would say it has been worth the wait."

The opposing team this time, Samsung, features another titleless veteran, Kang Min-ho (41). Kang Min-ho, who became the first player in KBO history to reach 2,500 career appearances, did not have a Korea Series championship ring until last year. He also lost in his first-ever Korea Series appearance in 2024 against the KIA Tigers.

The championship rings of the two veterans were also a topic at the media day the previous day. Samsung Manager Park Jin-man (50), mentioning Woo, whom he had played with in the past at Samsung, joked, "I will give you one of my six rings and we will win the championship. I will make sure Kang Min-ho wears this year's championship ring."

Woo did not back down either. When asked who was more desperate between him and Kang Min-ho, he answered, "Min-ho is in his second Korea Series, but this is my first. For me, it is a one-shot deal."

He continued, "Of course, I want to remember the moment of putting on the championship ring and lifting the trophy. This is an opportunity that has come once in 24 years, and it may not come again. I repeatedly urged my younger teammates that we must win no matter what. I told them to focus and quickly secure four wins."

He also left practical advice for his younger teammates. Woo said, "Honestly, I think you cannot enjoy the Korea Series. Once you are in the game, you cannot enjoy it. Instead, I hope they play aggressively without regret. I just hope they do not make plays that lead to regret."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original