Park Jin-man, who experienced a "win-win-win-loss-loss-loss-win" run in the 2000 Korea Series: "It feels like we have crossed the ninth peak, but there is no room for complacency"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The Samsung Lions are just one win away from winning the Korea Series championship. However, the gaze of head coach Park Jin-man (50) of Samsung was unwavering. Although assessments have been made that they have crossed the ninth peak, he kept the reins of caution tightly in hand.

Samsung defeated KT 10-5 in the fourth game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Korea Series (best-of-seven) held on the 7th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. With this victory, Samsung has run up an unbeaten streak of three consecutive wins following their loss in the first game, taking a 3-1 lead in the series.

At the same time, Samsung is just one win away from winning the Korea Series championship for the first time in 12 years since 2014. Their probability of winning the title has also risen to 94.7%. Among the 43rd Korea Series held to date, there have been a total of 19 instances where a team led 3-1 at the end of the fourth game, and in 18 of those cases, the team leading 3-1 ultimately claimed the championship.

Manager Park, who appeared at the official press conference after the game, stated, "As of today, we have crossed the ninth peak, but in the postseason, once the momentum of a single game shifts, anything can happen," emphasizing that "we must prepare with the mindset of truly ending it tomorrow, without becoming complacent."

The reason Manager Park does not lower his guard is rooted in a vivid memory from his playing days. During the 2000 Korea Series, when he was a starting shortstop for the Hyundai Unicorns, the team won the first three games in a row, seemingly on the verge of an easy sweep victory. However, they suffered a shocking three-game losing streak from the fourth to the sixth game, pushing them to the brink of being reverse-swept. At the time, Hyundai dramatically lifted the trophy thanks to the one-man-show performance of foreign hitter Tom Quinlan in the seventh game. He has felt more than anyone else how drastically a series can swing if you surrender the momentum in an instant despite taking an early 3-0 lead. Manager Park Jin-man has continuously reminded everyone of the 2000 Korea Series throughout the duration of this championship series.

The presence of Park Seung-gyu, who swung a hot bat with three hits and three RBIs in four at-bats today, shone brightly. Manager Park highlighted Park Seung-gyu's performance, noting his active movement in the lineup, saying, "They say you need a crazy player for the postseason, and he really seems crazy." He also highly praised the positive impact on team morale, stating, "Seung-gyu's reactions have lifted the bench atmosphere tremendously."

Regarding plans for tomorrow's fifth game, Manager Park previewed an all-out effort without complacency. Manager Park stated, "If we think about winning tomorrow, I am thinking of using every pitcher available," reaffirming his firm resolve to approach the game with the mindset of thoroughly ending the series tomorrow, despite having secured a favorable position.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original