FA jackpot forgotten: "I'd rather collapse" — Now in Yamamoto mode, 'returning to the rotation' Won Tae-in: "I truly want to win the championship" [KS]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"I want to win the championship so badly that I would rather push through until I am completely exhausted and collapse."

With free agency (FA) just around the corner, Won Tae-in (26, Samsung Lions) is approaching the Korea Series with a resolve to burn it all, regardless of the circumstances.

In the second game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Korea Series (best-of-seven series), held on the 4th at Suwon KT Wiz Park, Won Tae-in entered as a relief pitcher in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out and runners on first and second bases. He threw 32 pitches over 1⅔ innings, allowing two hits and one walk while giving up one unearned run, laying the foundation for his team's 3-2 comeback victory in the 12th inning.

With this, Samsung achieved its goal of going 1-1 on the road and can now return to their home base in Daegu.

Won Tae-in took the mound during a critical crisis, entering in a situation where his team could have suffered a walk-off loss in the bottom of the ninth inning. He successfully shut down the threat without allowing runs, but he returned to the mound in the bottom of the 10th inning while his team led 2-1 and made a painful mistake. With one out and a runner on first base, he watched a high-flying grounder hit by Ahn Hyun-min until it became a foul ball, only for the ball to unfortunately bounce inward instead. This resulted in runners on first and second bases with one out. He induced a ground ball toward first base from Sam Hilliard, but the fielder failed to make the catch, leading to bases loaded. Ultimately, he issued a walk to Kim Hyun-soo, allowing a bases-loaded walk that tied the game.

However, he retired Oh Yun-seok with a line drive to first base and Heo Kyung-min with a ground ball to second base to end the inning. The team then capitalized on an opposing defensive error in the top of the 12th inning to take the lead and secure the victory.

After the game, Won Tae-in blamed himself, saying, "I tried too hard to keep it scoreless, which made the at-bats difficult, and a walk that absolutely should not have happened occurred." However, he steadied his mindset under the bench's unwavering trust. He expressed relief, stating, "With the thought that we absolutely could not allow a comeback, I went back to basics and pitched from scratch. Fortunately, I did not allow a comeback and created a foundation for us to win, which feels great."

Won Tae-in, who is Samsung's trusted starting pitcher, has been serving as the team's closer in this fall postseason after closer Kim Jae-yoon was sidelined with an injury. He delivered rock-solid pitching in the playoffs as well and led his team to victory on this day. However, he will now return to the rotation.

Manager Park Jin-man stated, "(Won) Tae-in will now go out as a starter. Since (Choi) Won-tae is absent, we can have back-to-back bullpen days, which could create a situation where our pitching staff collapses. Because it is a three-game series rather than a two-game series, Tae-in will start in either the fourth or fifth game."

Previously, ahead of the playoffs, Won Tae-in recalled Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LA Dodgers). Yamamoto had performed a comic-book-like feat last year, alternating between relief and starting duties to single-handedly secure three wins in the World Series and lead his team to the championship.

It is not easy to fulfill one's role by switching between the bullpen and the rotation over a short period, especially when fatigue has accumulated. Nevertheless, Won Tae-in said, "My body is extremely tired, but I believe that the Korea Series stage is not something anyone can experience, nor is this role something just anyone can do." He added, "I think Yamamoto led his team to victory because he endured without collapsing until the very end. I also believe that if I do not collapse until the end, our team can win the championship as well."

He continued, "In such a difficult situation, I hope someone gives me some strength until the very end," and reaffirmed his resolve: "I want to win the championship so badly that I would rather push through until I am completely exhausted and collapse."

Samsung's autumn as they aim to reclaim the top spot for the first time in 12 years. The ace's desperation to willingly collapse on the mound is emerging as Samsung's most powerful weapon.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original