"I am ready to pitch in all seven games." KT's guardian angel erases the nightmare of a walk-off home run allowed in the Korea Series three years ago, and prepares to face Samsung [Korea Series Game 1 On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"I am ready to pitch in all seven games."

Park Young-hyun (23), the closer for the KT Wiz who allowed a painful home run in the Korea Series three years ago, expressed his determination not to let slip the championship opportunity that has returned. Following KT manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) naming him as a candidate for the Korea Series Most Valuable Player (MVP), Park also revealed his willingness to pitch in every game of the series.

Ahead of Game 1 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven format) against the Samsung Lions, which will be held at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 3rd, Park met with reporters and said, "The manager told me that I would pitch in all seven games. I have always prepared with that mindset. Because the manager said that, I feel like I can do well."

This year, KT finished the regular season with a record of 90 wins, 5 draws, and 49 losses (winning percentage .647), securing first place along with their franchise's first 90-win season. They are aiming to reclaim the top spot for the first time in five years since winning their first integrated championship in 2021. The team prepared for the Korea Series by combining approximately three weeks of rest and practice games following the final regular season game on the 12th of last month.

On the other hand, Samsung finished second in the regular season with a record of 83 wins, 3 draws, and 58 losses (winning percentage .589). They advanced to the Korea Series by defeating the KIA Tigers in the playoffs after a close battle that went to Game 5, winning the series 3 games to 2. This is their first championship challenge in 12 years since 2014.

In the regular season head-to-head record, Samsung held the advantage with 9 wins and 7 losses. However, KT won all of the last four matchups. Park stated confidently, "I don't think the head-to-head record will matter in this series. It is a battle where we pour everything out and see which team performs better."

There is solid basis for that confidence. This year, Park recorded 7 wins, no losses, 30 saves, and an ERA of 2.48 in 56 games. He struck out 65 batters over 61⅔ innings, achieving 30 saves for the second consecutive year. Particularly against Samsung, he was strong with a record of 5 saves in 6 games, an ERA of 1.69, and allowing 3 hits, striking out 8, and giving up 1 run over 5⅓ innings. He also handled 19 multi-inning appearances during the regular season.

Manager Lee Kang-cheol expressed his expectation at the media day on the previous day (the 2nd), saying, "I hope Park Young-hyun takes the MVP with 4 saves." In the history of the Korea Series, the team that won Game 1 went on to win the championship in 31 out of 42 instances, a rate of 73.8%. This is why Park's role is crucial from the very first game.

In particular, Game 2 of the 2023 Korea Series against LG remains a painful memory. In the bottom of the 8th inning, with KT leading 4-3, Park allowed a walk-off two-run homer to Park Dong-won. Ultimately, KT lost 4-5 and finished as runners-up after suffering three consecutive losses from a 1-1 tie. At that time, Park recorded 1 loss, 1 save, and an ERA of 4.91 in 4 Korea Series games.

Park emphasized, "At that time, I was not even the closer and did not know much about baseball. I remember losing after allowing a crucial home run. I will discard all those bad memories and pour everything into this Korea Series."

He is also dreaming of the final moment when the championship is confirmed. Park smiled and said, "I imagine it a lot. I think I will do whatever comes to mind for the celebration. I cannot even begin to grasp how exciting and fun it will be."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original