"I'll take the blame in place of my juniors": Even a 38-year-old former Korea Series MVP is this desperate... Kim Hyun-soo, backed into a corner: "It doesn't matter if I break a finger; we will win and go to Suwon" [Korea Series Game 5 On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"Rather than leaving it to my young juniors, we will take the criticism; no, I will take it. I will take the blame and I will receive the praise."

Kim Hyun-soo (38), a veteran of KT Wiz, which has been backed into a corner with a record of one win and three losses, took all responsibility upon himself. The veteran, who was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in last year's Korea Series and holds three championship rings, shielded his juniors while revealing a resolute will to play even if he broke a finger.

KT will face the Samsung Lions at 2 p.m. on the 8th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park for Game 5 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven series). After winning Game 1, 8-7, KT lost consecutively in Games 2, 3, and 4 with scores of 2-3, 1-5, and 5-10, respectively. If KT loses today as well, their bid for a unified championship, which they have not attempted since 2021, will end after five years.

Meeting with the press before the game, Kim Hyun-soo did not ignore the team's sluggish atmosphere. He confessed, "The young players are very nervous. The veterans seem to be nervous in their own way, and I am the same. I think everyone is quite tense overall." Nevertheless, he acknowledged the opponent's performance by stating, "Being nervous is not an excuse. Samsung is playing well."

Because they had the strongest lineup during the regular season, the disappointment is all the greater. KT ranked first in the league this year with a team batting average of 0.286, 825 runs scored, and an on-base percentage of 0.367. However, their lineup struggled to connect in the Korea Series, compounded by consecutive injuries to key players. Kim Hyun-soo said, "We simply failed to perform. If we lose, it means we all failed; if we win, it means we all did well. Each player will be thinking about the disappointing moments." He emphasized, "It is our mistake and something we must prepare for again. We must ensure that today is not the end."

Despite this, Kim Hyun-soo has been one of the most consistent players in the KT lineup during this Korea Series. Through Game 4, he recorded a hit in every game, posting a batting average of 0.375 (six hits in 16 at-bats), one home run, four RBIs, and two walks. He did not strike out even once. In Game 1, he led the victory with two hits (one home run) and two RBIs. In Game 2, he drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game in the bottom of the 10th inning of extra innings. In Game 4 as well, he added an RBI with a bases-loaded walk to close the gap in the top of the fifth inning. However, Kim Hyun-soo believes that no matter how good his individual statistics are, they hold no meaning if the team loses.

He is a veteran who understands the value of winning better than anyone else. He reached the pinnacle with the Doosan Bears in 2015 and the LG Twins in 2023 and 2025, securing three championship rings. In particular, last year, he dominated with a batting average of 0.529 (nine hits in 17 at-bats), one home run, and eight RBIs across five Korea Series games, earning the MVP award. Immediately after, he chose a new challenge. In November last year, he left LG and signed a three-year free agent contract with KT worth a total of 5 billion won. KT's expectations extended beyond his bat; the leadership of a veteran who had experienced winning and his attitude of leading by example were also key reasons for the signing.

Living up to expectations, Kim Hyun-soo recorded a batting average of 0.286 (159 hits in 555 at-bats), 14 home runs, and 95 RBIs in 142 games during this year's regular season, leading KT to the first-place finish in the regular season for the first time in five years. However, the team found itself in crisis in the Korea Series, which is ultimately the most important stage. Kim Hyun-soo himself injured his left finger while sliding during defense in Game 1. Even then, he did not waver in his will to play, stating, "Even if the manager says no, I will persuade him and go out there."

His answer to questions about his injury condition was even more desperate that day. Kim Hyun-soo stated emphatically, "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if it is torn right now or if it breaks. As long as I can walk and hold a bat, I believe it is the right thing to go out there." He continued, "This is my personal opinion, but even so, I will go out and try to do something. Everyone probably feels that way." He added, "Originally, when cornered, one becomes stronger. Let's give it a try."

He also expressed his intention to take the lead in changing the team's atmosphere. Kim Hyun-soo said, "There must be someone who breaks the ice for anyone. If everyone is struggling, I will strive to break the ice at least once myself."

Nevertheless, he had no intention of shifting responsibility to his juniors. Kim Hyun-soo diagnosed, "The juniors are doing well. All our team players prepared well. But because the results did not match their preparation, they must be very frustrated." He added, "I think we are being pushed back in momentum." Then he raised his voice, saying, "Rather than leaving such things to young juniors, we (veterans) will take the criticism; no, I will take it. I will take the blame and I will receive the praise. I will make it so."

Finally, when asked whether he could meet the fans in Suwon again, Kim Hyun-soo's answer showed no hesitation. Kim Hyun-soo declared his resolve: "I will definitely go. I will find a way to go. No, I will find a way to win and go. We will win and go to Suwon."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original