Koo Ja-wook’s class, remembered Miyaji: “Get me a championship T-shirt quickly!” → He never forgot the sweat they shed together [Samsung V9]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Fireworks were launched into the sky over Daegu, and at that very moment when the champagne of emotion compressed over 12 years burst forth. During the time when everyone was deeply intoxicated with the joy of the ceremony, the gaze of Koo Ja-wook (33), the “Series MVP” and captain of the Samsung Lions, turned toward the dark dugout corridor behind the glamorous stage. There stood Miyaji Yura (27), a “former teammate,” alone in civilian clothes, quietly applauding.

On the 8th, at Samsung Lions Park, the Samsung Lions defeated the KT Wiz 12-1 in Game 5 of the “2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (KS · best-of-seven series),” leveraging the explosive power of a lineup that hit 14 hits. With this, Samsung recorded a series record of four wins and one loss, reclaiming the pinnacle of the Korea Series for the first time in 12 years since the 2014 season, and building a golden tower of their ninth championship (V9) in franchise history.

On that emotional night completing the coronation after 12 years, there was a guest who took a particularly special step at Raemun Park. It was Miyaji, the Japanese pitcher who had to leave the team during the season. Miyaji, who stepped onto the KBO League stage for the first time this season, appeared in 36 games (30⅔ innings), struggling with one loss, three holds, and an ERA of 5.87 without a win. He failed to overcome control issues, issuing as many as 23 walks, and ultimately parted ways with the team after being removed from the roster on July 27. Subsequently, he returned to his previous team, the Kufu Hayate Ventures Shizuoka in Japan’s independent/minor league, and pitched there, but he also left that team.

Even after that, Miyaji’s heart still flowed with blue blood. In Japan, he consistently watched Samsung games and shouted “A pleasant victory” and “Nice game” on social media every time they won the playoffs. And as soon as his season schedule in Japan ended, he boarded a flight to Korea without hesitation. It appeared to be to watch the three-game series in Daegu.

Miyaji came down to Daegu from Game 3 on the 6th and watched from the stands, sharing in the joy of the team’s 5-1 victory. In Game 4 on the 7th, he cheered for Jang Chan-hee (19) and became the “victory fairy” of the 10-5 blowout win. Responding to the sincere pleas of teammates who grabbed his shoulders saying, “You must come tomorrow too,” Miyaji watched the final Game 5 on the 8th alone from the center table seats, holding his breath.

And finally, at the moment Samsung clinched the championship with a 12-1 victory, Miyaji quietly came down from the stands to the corridor behind the dugout. Since he was already in the status of a released player who had left the team, he could not readily step onto the field where the glamorous championship ceremony was unfolding, and stood alone watching his teammates being lifted in celebration from a distance.

At that moment, the one who spotted Miyaji was captain Koo Ja-wook. Without hesitation, Koo Ja-wook raised his voice toward club officials and nearby teammates, saying, “Where is Miyaji? Get him a championship T-shirt quickly.” He strongly grabbed the hand of Miyaji, who was hesitating shyly in civilian clothes, and pushed his back with force, saying, “You are also a player who sweated with us this season. Hurry up and go onto the field.”

At the warm yet firm touch of his older brother and captain, Miyaji finally received and put on the “2026 Korea Series Champion” commemorative T-shirt and stepped onto the field. The Samsung players, who spotted him, embraced Miyaji with bright smiles.

Although he failed to complete the season due to poor performance, his sweat and dedication over 36 games and 30⅔ innings, quietly pitching on the mound in the first half, were not erased. Above all, the Samsung players never forgot the sincerity of a former teammate who crossed the sea after the season ended to cheer loudly for them. At the moment of championship that should shine most brilliantly from the highest place, Koo Ja-wook’s consideration in warmly embracing even the teammate standing in the shadow was impressive. The one-team spirit and champion’s class of the “Lion Army,” which reclaimed the throne after 12 years, dyed the night in Daegu with moving emotion.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original