"Should I take some of the Jamsil dirt with me?" From a 0-won signing bonus to a national team star: A farewell from Doosan's legendary shortstop to Jamsil Stadium

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"I felt a bit strange, to the point where I wondered if I should take some dirt home with me."

An unknown developmental player who received not a single won in signing bonus grew into a national team shortstop. The place where he first stepped onto the professional stage and the place where he played his final game were both Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Son Si-hyun (46), coach for the Doosan Bears, bid farewell to Jamsil, which holds 23 years of memories.

Coach Son Si-hyun met with reporters ahead of the "Jamsil The Last Inning" game held at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 14th, opening by saying, "The fact that it is entering history brings to mind Dongdaemun Baseball Stadium, where I played during my amateur days."

He continued, "Dongdaemun Baseball Stadium is a place filled with childhood memories for me and my senior players. But now, if you go to Dongdaemun, there is nothing left, so it comes to mind often," adding, "Jamsil is being rebuilt to become an even better baseball stadium, but since today (the 14th) is almost the final game, I feel a bit strange."

Jamsil Baseball Stadium is an indispensable part of Coach Son Si-hyun's baseball life. After graduating from Sunlin Information High School and Dong-eui University, he was overlooked in the 2003 KBO Rookie Draft. At the time, with his small stature of 172 cm and no standout hitting ability, he joined Doosan as a developmental player without a signing bonus.

However, he did not miss the opportunity that came in the Jamsil game against the Samsung Lions on July 1 of that year. In his professional debut, he started at shortstop and recorded his first hit. Coach Son Si-hyun later revealed that he still remembers the conversation he had with Lee Seung-yeop (50), former manager, who was the opposing team's first baseman at the time, showing how specially he holds onto that day.

He subsequently grew into Doosan's starting shortstop, leading with stable defense. In 2005, he recorded 115 hits and 60 RBIs in 126 games, winning the Golden Glove for the shortstop position. He also claimed the golden glove again in 2009, after returning from military service.

He also created unforgettable classic games at Jamsil. The most representative was the third game of the 2010 playoffs against Samsung on October 10, 2010. In the game held at Jamsil, Doosan trailed 6-8 after allowing two runs in the top of the 11th inning of extra innings, but Im Jae-cheol's two-run, tying double to second base in the bottom of the 11th brought the score level. Then, with runners on second and third bases and no outs, Son Si-hyun hit a walk-off hit against Jung In-wook. It was a 9-8 comeback victory completed before a sold-out crowd of 27,000. Son Si-hyun, who was Doosan's captain at the time, personally put the final period on the game.

That year, Son Si-hyun also earned the national team mark. Selected as the starting shortstop for the baseball team at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, he formed a keystone combination with Jung Keun-woo and contributed to Korea's gold medal win. He built a remarkable career, rising from a developmental player who started with a 0-won signing bonus to become not only the league's best shortstop but also a national team starting shortstop.

After finishing the 2013 season, he acquired free agent (FA) status and transferred to the NC Dinos. Leading the infield of the newly established NC, he contributed to their first postseason appearance in franchise history, and retired from active duty at the end of the 2019 season.

His career records over 15 seasons were 1,559 games, a .272 batting average (1,265 hits in 4,657 at-bats), 70 home runs, and 550 RBIs. After retiring, he gained coaching experience with NC and the SSG Landers, and returned to his former team as a quality control (QC) coach for Doosan ahead of the 2026 season.

Standing at Jamsil again, Coach Son Si-hyun said, "I played my debut game at Jamsil, and I am finishing my last game at Jamsil. So it feels like I am wrapping up both the beginning and the end today," adding, "I first went out on July 1, 2003, and today's date has truly become the day it all ends."

He also showed affection for his juniors. Mentioning the lineage of Doosan shortstops, Coach Son Si-hyun said, "Kim Jae-ho did better than I did. Heo Kyung-min was not a shortstop, but he played as an incredibly excellent player in his own position," adding, "There was also senior Kim Min-ho above them, and it gives me pride regarding the shortstop position."

Above all, what Coach Son Si-hyun will miss is the roar of the fans that could only be heard at Jamsil. Coach Son said, "Jamsil Baseball Stadium has a different resonance. There is a fan roar that you cannot hear in other baseball stadiums," continuing, "Sajik Baseball Stadium is also packed, and Daegu and Gwangju are all full with cheering roars, but there is a unique resonance that can only be felt at Jamsil. That is probably why I think of it more."

He also conveyed expectations for the new Jamsil dome. Coach Son Si-hyun said, "Recently, while playing in the Dream Players game, I played at Escon Field, and it was a really good baseball stadium," adding, "I hope the new Jamsil Baseball Stadium will have well-equipped environment and facilities."

He also emphasized preserving the memories of the disappearing stadium. Coach Son Si-hyun said, "It would be nice if there were something that allows us to recall past memories again. Players currently playing or older people could bring their grandchildren later and visit the baseball stadium anytime, right?" adding, "Even if they come back to watch a game, it will feel fresh, and I think it will probably be good."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original