“76 km/h”: Park Chul-soon pitches, Lee Man-su catches, Kim Bong-yeon hits — “Every moment is history” [Jamsil on-site report]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Every moment was history in itself.

The “Jamsil The Last Inning by Renault” Legends Match, which marked the final chapter of Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium, took place on the 14th under a light drizzle. Hosted by the Ilgu Association, the event saw approximately 60 former stars who shone in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League make a full appearance, offering fans special and precious memories.

The game was contested between the East team, led by General Manager Kim Eung-yong and Manager Kim In-sik, and the West team, led by General Manager Kim Seong-geun and Manager Kang Byung-cheol. Old stars ranging from their 70s to their 40s took to the field for a rare outing, pitching and swinging bats. The East team featured Park Chul-soon, along with Kim Si-jin, Ryu Jung-il, Lee Seung-yeop, Lee Dae-ho, and Nipper (all East team), while the West team included Kim Bong-yeon, Kim Jae-bak, Kim Sung-han, Lee Soon-cheol, Lee Jong-beom, and Lee Byung-gyu (all West team).

Historical scenes that had not been seen before and are unlikely to be witnessed again began even with the pre-game ceremonies. Ilgu Association President Kim Gwang-su and Lee Jong-beom, President of the Korea Professional Baseball Retired Players Association, sang the national anthem together. The moment symbolized the unity between the two organizations representing retired professional baseball players.

Subsequently, Yang Hyeon-jong, President of the Korea Professional Baseball Players Association, presented bouquets to the four managers of the East and West teams on behalf of the younger generation. Managers Kim Eung-yong and Kim Seong-geun threw out the ceremonial first pitches, while Lee Man-su and Park Kyung-wan served as the ceremonial catchers.

A wave of emotion swept through the crowd from the very first at-bat after the game began. The East team’s starting pitcher was Park Chul-soon (70), the MVP of the inaugural professional baseball season in 1982; the catcher was Lee Man-su (68), who hit the first home run of the opening series; and the West team’s leadoff hitter was Kim Bong-yeon (74), the home run champion of 1982.

Although Park Chul-soon’s pitch speed reached only 76 km/h, cheers erupted from the spectators as the “Immortal Phoenix” took the mound at Jamsil. Shortstop Ryu Jung-il (63) fielded Kim Bong-yeon’s grounder and made a precise throw to first baseman Shin Gyeong-sik (65) for an out.

Tickets for the event were sold out through advance reservations, though it was reported that some cancellations occurred due to the rain. Nevertheless, spectators who had brought raincoats and umbrellas enjoyed the time by singing both past players’ cheer songs and the current support songs of each team. Jamsil Baseball Stadium, which has stood alongside Korean baseball for 45 years since its opening in 1982, faded into history, leaving unforgettable memories for the legends and the fans.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original