"I can't go to Suwon either" Three KS runner-up finishes... Even a 2 billion won Samsung Veteran is 'as desperate as Kang Min-ho' [KS3 On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Samsung Lions right-handed pitcher Kim Tae-hoon (34) revealed his earnest desire to clinch the Korea Series (KS) championship in Daegu.

Ahead of the third game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven series) against KT Wiz, held on the 6th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, Kim Tae-hoon met with reporters and said emphatically, "(Kang) Min-hoo may have a great thirst for winning the championship, but I do too. I made it to the Korea Series but failed to win. I really want to win."

This is already Kim Tae-hoon's fourth Korea Series appearance. He challenged for the title wearing the Kiwoom Heroes uniform in 2019 and 2022, and as a member of Samsung in 2024, but finished as runner-up all three times.

His individual statistics were also disappointing. In the 2019 Korea Series, he allowed two runs in two-thirds of an inning across two games, while in 2022, he allowed three runs in two and one-third innings across three games. In 2024, he allowed five runs (four earned) in two innings across three games and took the loss. Across his previous three Korea Series appearances, he finished with a record of eight games, five innings pitched, one loss, and an ERA of 16.20.

However, this year is different. Kim Tae-hoon held on scoreless for two-thirds of an inning in Game 1, and in Game 2, he took the mound in the bottom of the 11th inning of extra innings, pitching a scoreless inning with no hits allowed, no walks, and one strikeout. As Samsung secured the winning run in the top of the 12th inning due to an error by the opposing defense to win 3-2, Kim Tae-hoon was credited with the win. His record in these two Korea Series games is two-thirds of an inning pitched, no hits allowed, no walks, two strikeouts, and scoreless.

Kim Tae-hoon said, "It was a tied game, so there was pressure. But since I had no choice, I threw with the mindset of overcoming it." He added, "Being named the winning pitcher is not particularly significant. Individual records are not important right now. As long as the team wins, anything is fine."

So, what was the bullpen atmosphere like in Games 1 and 2? Kim Tae-hoon said, "In Game 1, we were told to just allow one run. In Game 2, I really felt like, 'Hit a little. Please end it. End it in the ninth inning,'" which brought laughter from the audience.

Samsung trailed 0-8 in Game 1 before closing the gap to 7-8. Although they lost, it was a chase game where they pressed KT until the very end. Kim Tae-hoon reflected, "If we had lost 0-8, the atmosphere for Game 2 would not have been good either. We fought well in Game 1. I think that made the atmosphere even better."

The Game 2 they faced went to 12 innings of extra innings, contrary to Kim Tae-hoon's hopes. After taking the lead on a go-ahead hit by Lewin Diaz in the top of the 10th inning, they allowed a tie in the bottom of the 10th. However, Kim Tae-hoon shut down the bottom of the 11th scoreless, and Samsung regained the lead in the top of the 12th to secure the win.

Regarding the situation at the time, Kim Tae-hoon explained, "The flow could have shifted because of how An Hyun-min's hit turned out, but (Won) Tae-in held on until the end. Since we were not actually overtaken, I thought we still had a chance."

Because this opportunity was not easily obtained, his desperation is even greater. Kim Tae-hoon, who played under the name Kim Dong-jun before changing his name, graduated from Bukgyeong High School and was drafted by Nexen Heroes in the ninth round, 79th overall pick, of the 2012 KBO Rookie Draft.

After a long period as an unknown player, he grew into a key bullpen pitcher. In April 2023, Samsung acquired Kim Tae-hoon in a trade with Kiwoom that sent infielder Lee Won-seok and their third-round pick in the 2024 Rookie Draft to Kiwoom.

In 2024, he recorded 23 holds. After the end of the 2025 season, he earned FA (free agent) eligibility for the first time in his career and stayed with Samsung on a contract worth up to 2 billion won over 3+1 years. This year, he served as a key member of the closing lineup, posting a record of two wins, one loss, eight holds, and an ERA of 2.48 in 47 regular season games.

This fall, he is anchoring the Samsung bullpen. Closer Kim Jae-yoon (36) was excluded from the Korea Series roster due to injury, but the bullpen, including Kim Tae-hoon, Lee Seung-min (26), and Bae Chan-seung (20), is working together to fill the void. Kim Tae-hoon relayed, "(Kim) Jae-yoon hyung will be the most upset. Still, he comes to the bullpen and says many encouraging things to the players. He also advises (Won) Tae-in on how to prepare depending on the situation."

His trust in the young pitchers was also remarkable. Kim Tae-hoon emphasized, "Everyone is better than me. It seems like I don't have anything special to do right now." He added, "(Lee) Seung-min looks a bit struggling, but he is enduring well with a sense of responsibility. He worked really hard this year, and I hope he gets rewarded for it later."

He then stated, "I actually feel like my condition is better than during the regular season. I don't know why, but resting well while preparing also played a part." He continued, "Rather than thinking about making up for things in fall baseball, I am trying to just do my share of what I can do. My mindset is simply not to be a burden."

Samsung aims for its first Korea Series championship in 12 years since 2014. For Kim Tae-hoon personally, it is an opportunity to stand on top for the first time after his fourth attempt. Upon hearing his teammates' determination to win three straight games in Daegu and clinch the title, Kim Tae-hoon raised his voice and said, "I can't go to Suwon either. I hope we end it here."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original