“Four championship rings, yet 12 years without a title…” A key figure of the Samsung dynasty returns to Raemkun Park with KT, making an unexpected confession: “Back then, I thought winning was a given” [KS3 On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Kim Sang-soo (36, KT Wiz), who experienced the final championship of the Samsung Lions dynasty, returned to his former team’s home stadium for the first time in 12 years. Once a young player who took winning for granted, he now challenges for the top spot again as a veteran on the KT roster.

Ahead of the third game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven) against Samsung, scheduled to be held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 6th, Kim Sang-soo met with reporters and candidly shared his feelings: “I desperately need a championship too. It has already been 12 years since my last title.”

The two teams split the first two games in Suwon. KT won the first game 8-7, but Samsung came from behind to win the second game 3-2 after a grueling 12-inning extra-inning battle, tying the series. The stage has now moved to Daegu. For Kim Sang-soo, it is a place of special significance. A graduate of Gyeongbuk High School, he was drafted by Samsung in the first round in 2009 and entered professional baseball. He grew into a starting shortstop and shared in Samsung’s four consecutive unified championships from 2011 to 2014. In 2014, he also won the stolen base title with 53 steals.

However, the glory of the dynasty did not last long. Since 2014, Samsung has failed to lift the Korea Series championship trophy for 12 years. Kim Sang-soo has also been unable to add another championship ring since then. After completing the 2022 season, he earned free agent (FA) status and signed a four-year contract with KT worth a total of 2.9 billion won. It was a new challenge for a franchise star who had spent 14 seasons solely with Samsung.

Kim Sang-soo, who has continued to play as a starting infielder for KT, contributed to the team’s first-place finish in this year’s regular season. And by meeting Samsung in the Korea Series, he has once again secured an opportunity to challenge for a championship.

“I was the rookie back then, but now I am a veteran playing alongside my teammates,” Kim Sang-soo reflected. “When I was young, we always made it to the postseason and had good results, so I thought winning was a given.” He continued, “Looking back now, just making it to the Korea Series is incredibly difficult, and reaching the postseason every year is truly a hard task. I feel that when such an opportunity comes, we must seize it,” he emphasized.

His physical condition not being at 100% is a variable. Kim Sang-soo has been dealing with pain in the heel of his left foot. He started the first game but ceded his starting second baseman spot to Ryu Hyun-in for the second game. However, he will start again in the third game.

On this day, KT set its batting order as Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder) - Ahn Hyeon-min (right fielder) - Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman) - Sam Hilliard (center fielder) - Jang Seong-woo (designated hitter) - Kim Sang-soo (second baseman) - Ryu Hyun-in (third baseman) - Jo Dae-hyun (catcher) - Jang Jun-won (shortstop). The starting pitcher is So Hyoung-jun.

In response, Samsung set its batting order as Kim Ji-chan (center fielder) - Kim Seong-yoon (right fielder) - Koo Ja-wook (designated hitter) - Choi Hyung-woo (left fielder) - Lewin Diaz (first baseman) - Kim Young-woong (third baseman) - Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop) - Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman) - Kang Min-ho (catcher). The starting pitcher is Ariel Hurdado.

Kim Sang-soo explained, “My physical condition is fine. I believe that playing in a game means my body is well enough to play.” He added, “If I am out there defending and swinging the bat, it is okay. It is difficult to say what percentage that represents.”

His impressions of meeting Samsung again were also unique. Kim Sang-soo confessed, “In fact, I don’t remember ever playing in a Korea Series at Raemkun Park. Meeting them as an opposing team makes me feel a bit strange.” Nevertheless, he drew a line: “I am now with KT and have played for the team for about four years. I am not thinking about that part; I am focusing on winning.”

His bonds with former teammates remain strong. Samsung’s Kim Ji-chan (25) had said before the second game, “I hope Sang-soo hyung returns to Samsung near the end of his playing career so we can play baseball together again.” In response, Kim Sang-soo said, “It is a team I was with for a long time, so I have many close younger players and seniors. I am grateful that they think of me that way,” while adding, “In the ballpark, none of that matters. We will do whatever it takes to win.”

He also showed a veteran’s reaction to the loss in the second game. Despite giving up the winning run due to an infield throwing error in the 12th inning of extra innings, he did not blame his teammates. Kim Sang-soo expressed confidence: “Everyone gave their best effort. Because the result was a loss, the mistakes are being highlighted more. It is disappointing, but I believe the players will manage their mental state well and reduce errors going forward.”

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original