Young Lions Write New History, Samsung’s “Painful KS” Is a Thing of the Past → An Upset Victory?

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The Samsung Lions defeated the KT Wiz to claim the top spot in the Korea Series (KS). It is their ninth championship title in franchise history (including the unified title from the first and second halves of 1985).

This victory holds a particularly different meaning for the Samsung organization. It marks a farewell to the past “painful Korea Series” and can serve as the starting point for a new chapter in their history.

As an inaugural member of professional baseball, Samsung is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious clubs. With 19 appearances in the Korea Series alone, they hold the record for the most, surpassing the Doosan Bears (15 appearances including OB, 6 championships, 9 runner-up finishes) and the KIA Tigers (12 appearances including their predecessor Hae-tae, 12 championships).

However, disappointment has often outweighed joy. Including this year, they have won 8 times and finished as runner-up 11 times. Their record of runner-up finishes is also the highest, ahead of Doosan (9 times) and the Hanwha Eagles (6 times including Binggrae).

Starting from their inaugural season in 1982, Samsung remained a Korea Series runner-up for seven consecutive years until 2001. After defeating the LG Twins in 2002 to taste the thrill of their first championship since founding, they established a dynasty by winning back-to-back titles in 2005–2006 and 2011–2014.

However, despite finishing first in the regular season in 2015, they ceded the championship to third-place Doosan, and also fell to KIA in 2024. Had they finished as runner-up again this year, the unwelcome “Korea Series jinx” might have resurfaced.

This time was different. It was their first return to the top of the Korea Series in 12 years, following two runner-up finishes, and moreover, it was the franchise’s first “upset victory.” In five previous instances where a lower-ranked regular-season team defeated the top seed, Samsung had been the victim of the upset twice. However, this year, despite finishing second in the season and facing the disadvantage of having to play a full five-game playoff series against KIA, they achieved an unexpected championship by winning four consecutive games after one loss against first-place KT.

The ambition of the “Young Lions,” who paid no heed to past nightmares, stood out. In this Korea Series, Samsung’s pitching staff shone with the outstanding performances of players born in the 2000s, including Won Tae-in (26), Lee Seung-min (26), Lee Jae-hee (25), Bae Chan-seung (20), and Jang Chan-hee (19). The lineup also gained vitality from Kim Sung-yoon (27), Park Seung-gyu (26), Kim Ji-chan (25), Kim Young-woong (23), and Lee Jae-hyun (23). This was complemented by the strong efforts of veterans such as Choi Hyeong-woo (43), Kang Min-ho (41), and Koo Ja-wook (33).

The growth of players in their early to mid-20s raises expectations that they will serve as the team’s core for the next decade or more. With championship experience added, the possibility of another dynasty era opening for Samsung is increasing.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original