"Kwon Dong-jin! Kwon Dong-jin!" Even Samsung fans chanted his name, wishing for a speedy recovery, as he was hit in the eye by a batted ball and rushed to the hospital. "Undergoing detailed examination... Woo Kyu-min is fine" [KS5 On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"Kwon Dong-jin! Kwon Dong-jin!"

Samsung Lions fans, with their first Korea Series (KS) championship in 12 years within reach, chanted the name of a player from the opposing team. In a situation where the outcome was effectively decided, everyone united in wishing for his recovery. This was due to a harrowing incident in which KT Wiz infielder Kwon Dong-jin (28) was struck in the eye by a batted ball during the game and collapsed.

KT lost 1-12 to Samsung in the fifth game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven series) held on the 8th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. KT, which had finished first in the regular season with a franchise-record 90 wins, settled for second place in the series with a record of one win and four losses.

However, the shock KT faced that day was not just the defeat. It was the bottom of the eighth inning, with two outs and runners on first and second, as KT trailed badly by a score of 1-11. Samsung's Kim Young-woong (23) hit a strong grounder, and shortstop Kwon Dong-jin attempted to field it. However, the ball bounced in an unpredictable manner and struck Kwon Dong-jin directly in the eye area.

Kwon Dong-jin collapsed on the spot from the impact and was unable to get up for a long time. The game was immediately suspended. Startled players quickly requested that an ambulance be brought onto the field from the outfield side. Although Kwon Dong-jin received medical attention, he could not stand on his own until being loaded into the ambulance. He was eventually carried off the field on a stretcher and immediately transported to a nearby hospital.

Even Samsung fans, who had victory within sight, momentarily set aside their joy of triumph in this moment. The spectators filling Daegu Samsung Lions Park held their breath and watched Kwon Dong-jin as he lay on the ground. Then, as Kwon Dong-jin was carried toward the ambulance on a stretcher, chants of "Kwon Dong-jin! Kwon Dong-jin!" began from the third-base stands where Samsung home fans were seated, extending to the KT away fans.

It was an even more regrettable injury for Kwon Dong-jin himself. He had made his first appearance on a Korea Series starting lineup that day. His strong head-to-head record against Samsung starter Won Tae-in (26) in the regular season, with a batting average of 0.429 (three hits in seven at-bats), three runs batted in, and a double, had been the reason for his start.

Indeed, he hit a leadoff single to left field in the top of the third inning with no outs and a runner on first, laying the groundwork for the go-ahead run. He also produced a single to center field by attacking Won Tae-in's first pitch in the top of the fifth inning with one out. Although he committed a defensive error in the bottom of the fifth inning, failing to prevent Samsung from scoring in bulk, he strove to fulfill his role at the plate. However, he ultimately headed to the hospital without finishing the game through the final inning.

Veteran pitcher Woo Kyu-min (41) also suffered an injury for KT that day. Woo Kyu-min, who took the mound in the bottom of the eighth inning, felt pain while twisting his body to field a batted ball from leadoff batter Park Seung-gyu (26) as it bounced off first base. Fortunately, it was reported that Woo Kyu-min did not sustain a serious injury. However, Kwon Dong-jin's exact injury status had not been confirmed even after the game ended.

A KT club official stated after the game, "Player Kwon Dong-jin was hit in the eye area by a batted ball and is currently undergoing detailed examination. Player Woo Kyu-min has no major issues."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original