"(Park) Young-hyun sometimes does strange things." A scary wild pitch by a same-year draft classmate, and An Hyun-min took it in good humor [KS1 On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"(Park) Young-hyun plays well, but he occasionally does strange things. He was blaming himself earlier, so I just watched him."

An Hyun-min (23), who hit a home run in his first-ever Korea Series (KS), delivered a lighthearted jab at same-age closer Park Young-hyun (23). The two friends, who had thrown the ceremonial first pitch and caught the ball together as rookies four years ago, combined to secure a victory from the very first game of the Korea Series.

An Hyun-min started Game 1 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven) against the Samsung Lions on the 3rd at Suwon KT Wiz Park as the third-hitter and designated hitter, recording one hit in two at-bats (one home run), two walks, two RBIs, and two runs scored.

Led by three home runs from An Hyun-min, Han Seung-taek (32), and Kim Hyun-soo (38), KT defeated Samsung 8-7. In the history of the Korea Series, which has been held 42 times, the team that won Game 1 went on to win the championship in 31 instances (73.8%).

It was a game where victory could not be guaranteed despite leading 8-0. Samsung scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning, combining Koo Ja-wook's two-run home run and Lee Jae-hyun's two-RBI hit. As they continued their pursuit with Kim Seong-yoon's RBI hit in the top of the eighth, KT brought in closer Park Young-hyun early with a 8-6 lead and bases loaded on one out.

Park Young-hyun recorded Ryu Ji-hyuk with a flyout to left field, but threw a wild pitch during Kim Hyun-jun's at-bat, allowing runner Koo Ja-wook from third base to score. In a situation where they were being chased by just one run, Kim Hyun-jun's home-run-worthy hit was also caught near the left-field fence. Park Young-hyun took responsibility through the ninth inning and barely held on to the victory.

After the game, An Hyun-min said, "We thought we would do well because we have Young-hyun. As you can see, he did well," while adding with a laugh, "But I wish he wouldn't throw wild pitches like that. I don't know why he does it sometimes. He plays well but occasionally does strange things." He continued, "He probably doesn't do it on purpose, but when we talked about it earlier, he was blaming himself. Since he was blaming himself, I just watched him."

This kind of banter was possible due to a long-standing bond. The two are same-age peers born in 2003 and were drafted by KT in the same year, 2022. Park Young-hyun was selected with the first overall pick, while An Hyun-min was chosen in the fourth round, 38th overall, of the second draft. They performed the ceremonial first pitch and catch together at the draft welcome ceremony at the time, and had maintained a friendship since their middle school days.

Park Young-hyun, who established himself in the first division earlier, grew into a top-tier closer in the league, while An Hyun-min swept the Rookie of the Year award, On-base Percentage title, and Outfielder Golden Glove last year. In August against the NC Dinos, An Hyun-min, a former catcher, donned the mask for the first time in a long while and formed a battery with Park Young-hyun to protect a victory.

The two friends who grew up together played side by side in the Korea Series this time. In his first at-bat of the bottom of the first inning with one out and a runner on third, An Hyun-min drew a walk from Samsung starter Choi Won-tae and scored on Sam Hileard's double to left-center field, recording his first run in the Korea Series.

In the bottom of the third inning, with no outs and a runner on second set up by Kim Min-hyuk's big double as the leadoff hitter, An Hyun-min attacked Choi Won-tae's changeup and hit a two-run home run that just cleared the left-field fence, traveling 105 meters. It was his first career postseason home run and the first home run of this Korea Series. Choi Won-tae was replaced by Yang Chang-seop after allowing the home run. An Hyun-min also drew a walk to reach base in the bottom of the fourth inning.

An Hyun-min reflected, "It seems less about not missing off-speed pitches and more about my emotional state. Rather than overthinking, stepping into the batter's box simply led to a good result."

There was also a reason he did not run immediately after hitting the home run. An Hyun-min said with a laugh, "(A home run that just clears the fence like that) is my favorite kind of home run. But from practice, I felt the ball wasn't traveling well. It seemed like the wind was blowing inward." He added, "So I walked for about three steps before running. You can't just walk thinking it's a home run if something else happens."

He expressed satisfaction with the lineup that scored eight runs despite a three-week break from live action. An Hyun-min said confidently, "The scoring wasn't concentrated on one player; everyone played their respective roles to score. We were able to score many runs with three home runs. I think we will get better day by day starting tomorrow."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original