Even though he was about to retire, Oh Seung-hwan had only the Samsung Lions in his head.
Oh Seung-hwan will retire through a home game against the KIA Tigers in the 2025 professional baseball KBO League at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on the 30th.
In name and reality, Oh Seung-hwan was the closing pitcher representing Korean baseball. After being called by Samsung as the fifth overall in the second round in 2005, he recorded 44 wins, 33 losses, 19 holds, 427 saves and an ERA of 2.32 in a total of 737 games (803.1 innings) in the KBO League. In 2006 and 2011, he made 47 saves with 4 wins and 3 losses, 1.59 ERA and 0.63 ERA, respectively, setting the record for the most saves in a season in Asia. With Oh Seung-hwan at the forefront, Samsung won the championship in 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012 and 2013. All pitchers in the season were Oh Seung-hwan.
사진 확대 Photo = Yonhap News 
사진 확대 Photo = Yonhap News
He continued his performance on the international stage. He played in 127 games (136 innings) wearing the Hanshin Tigers uniform of the Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2014 to 2015, recording 4 wins, 7 losses, 12 holds, 80 saves, and an ERA of 2.25. From 2016 to 2019, he played in 232 MLB games (225.2 innings) in the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) with the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Colorado Rockies, posting 16 wins, 13 losses, 45 holds, 42 saves and an ERA of 3.31. The total number of saves in Korea, the U.S., and Japan is 549.
But the passage of time was irresistible. He returned to the KBO League in 2020, but his skills gradually declined. He played in 58 games (55 innings) in the 2024 season, but had only 3 wins, 9 losses, 2 holds, 27 saves, and an ERA of 4.91. That year, Samsung entered the fall baseball league, but Oh Seung-hwan’s name could not be found in the entry.
Oh Seung-hwan, who was desperate, tried to rebound this year, but failed to achieve his goal. Before the opening, he was saddened by his mother’s death, and even his thigh injury overlapped. In the end, Oh Seung-hwan, who announced his retirement at the end of this season, had a retirement tour around each stadium, and is now facing his last retirement game. Depending on the team’s situation, there is a possibility that he will take the mound on the same day or against KIA in Gwangju on October 3.
However, he only thought of the team rather than the individual appearance. Oh Seung-hwan, who met before the game on the 30th, said of his last appearance, “Today’s an important game. Apart from the retirement ceremony, the team competed fiercely for a season and with two games left, the ranking could change. We have to watch the game. “I’ll just prepare as usual until the end,” he said. “When I told you (550 saves in Korea, the U.S., and Japan at the time of the retirement announcement), I didn’t know that the ranking fight would go this intense. That’s not what matters now,” he stressed.
He also said, “I have no regrets (about the decision to retire). I threw the ball without regret. I have no regrets,” he said.
â–² The following is the Q&A with Oh Seung-hwan.
Q. How do you feel about the retirement ceremony.
– I’m busy today because it’s my retirement ceremony I’m so out of my mind because I went there. A month ago, time didn’t go by, but seeing a lot of acquaintances from yesterday night (29th) to today’s baseball stadium and lobby made me realize that it was a retirement ceremony.
Q. How was your last day on your way to work.
– I didn’t feel much until morning. It still doesn’t touch much. I think I’ll feel a lot more real when I have a retirement ceremony.
Q. Fans are still cheering for us, sending us coffee cars before the game.
– It’s not easy to do, but I’m so grateful to see you do that. He came down from Seoul and did it for me. Thank you so much. On the one hand, I feel like I’m being cheered on until the end. Thank you so much. All I can say is thank you to the fans. be well-loved. I think I can still have an interview like this because I have fans.
Q. There are Japanese fans, too.
– It has been loved by Hanshin fans so far. Many Japanese fans remember. I think I should say hello one more time someday. I’m so grateful.
Q. If you have a chance, why don’t you say hello to your American fans.
– Will MLB fans remember me. Cardinals fans still seem to know. There are many Koreans I knew when I played in the United States. They are still contacting me and supporting me. When I was in the United States, I got a lot of help from them. I could eat a lot of Korean food, too. I want to say thank you.
사진 확대 Photo = Reporter Chun Jung-hwan
Q. Coach Park Jin-man said he would give him a chance to take the mound in the ninth inning if the situation becomes that day.
– After retiring, I thought I didn’t need to take care of myself. He kept throwing the ball too hard. He said he was talking about taking the mound in the ninth inning, but today is an important game. Apart from the retirement ceremony, the team competed fiercely for a season, and with two games left, the rankings could change. I’ll just watch the game and prepare as usual until the end.
Q. If he takes the mound, Kia plans to substitute Choi Hyung-woo, who was a teammate of Samsung.
– You don’t have to get hit at the end. I remember getting hit a lot when it was important to Choi Hyung-woo when I played against KIA. I don’t think it’ll fit until today.
Q. How would you feel if you took the mound.
– I don’t know how it feels and how it feels. What is clear is likely to be very different.
Q. There is a possibility that he will play against KIA in Gwangju on October 3rd.
– You have to move according to the team’s situation. There are two games left in the team, but the ranking has not been confirmed yet. It’s best if it’s confirmed through today’s game. I don’t know what’s going to happen later, so I don’t think you have to keep it in mind. I don’t think it’s too much to throw if there’s a chance even for one game.
Q. One save is left until 550 saves in Korea, the U.S., and Japan.
– I don’t think I need to think about it now. The team takes precedence over personal records. When I announced my retirement (550 saves), I didn’t know (the ranking fight) would go this intense. That is not the point now.
Q. Did you talk to your retired colleagues earlier.
– When I announced that I was retiring, I got a lot of calls. I’ve heard a lot of stories. Lee Dae-ho said, “I’m sure I’m going to cry.” (Kim) Tae-kyun and Jung Geun-woo did a great job. Choo even sent a coffee truck. I’m so grateful.
사진 확대 Photo = Reporter Chun Jung-hwan
Q. What did you talk about with Samsung players.
– Today, too many kids came to me to get autographs. I thought you were letting me go (laughs). The players all came together and asked me to write their names while getting autographs. It occurred to me that it was the last time. Kang Min-ho and Park Byung-ho asked how they felt. I told you that you’d feel it.
Q. Did you hear any regrets after you announced your retirement.
– Rather, it is a situation in which my mind is gradually becoming more comfortable. I didn’t even go to the game after announcing my retirement. I got better after retirement. I have no regrets. I threw the ball without regret. I have no regrets.
Q. Have you decided on any future plans.
– I haven’t decided anything yet. I’m not sure what decision I’m going to make now either. Until today’s retirement ceremony, I thought let’s not worry and get stressed. So far, no decision has been made.
Q. Who is the best catcher among the catchers you’ve worked with.
– Thankfully, I played with a lot of good catchers. If there is a catcher with a gap in skills, I will pick him, but luckily I played with Jin Gap-yong from the beginning. Everyone knows about Molina Yardier even when she goes abroad, and when she returned, she played with Kang Min-ho for a long time. The catcher’s luck was really good. I think I’ve benefited more than the pitching I throw.
Q. If you could pick a gift that you remember from the retirement tour.
– It’s all memorable, but if I were to pick one, it was a jar from Doosan. I heard that the boss thought about the phrase for two days. When Lee Dae-ho and Lee Seung-yeop received the jar, the players used the words they decided themselves, and in my case, I asked the boss. The boss said he put the phrase in after thinking about it for two days.
Q. What’s your favorite nickname.
– They are all similar and good-feeling nicknames. There are many images such as the end plate leader, stone straightforward, and stone Buddha, and they are all similar and good. I think they named it well to match the image.
Q. Did you prepare for your retirement.
– I’m ready. I wrote it down in advance today. Even after reading it, I think I’ll regret it (I can’t express it all). I only did it once. It’s a little (upset) but I think I’ll get a different feeling when I do it on the playground.
Q. Have you ever thought about not crying when you see other players crying when they retire.
– I didn’t think I should not cry. When I saw a player who cries a lot, I thought, “Why do you cry like that?” (laughs).
사진 확대 Photo = Reporter Chun Jung-hwan
[Daegu = Lee Han-joo, MK Sports Reporter]