Kang told reporters ahead of a showdown with the "2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League" LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium on Tuesday. He plans to write a new history in the KBO League on the very day. 토토사이트넷
On the day, Kang was listed as the starting catcher for the fifth batter. If the game proceeds normally through the fifth inning after the game begins at 6:30 p.m., he will play in 2,238 games. He was about to set a new record of the most games played in KBO league history (2,237 games played by Park Yong-taek).
"I thought I would have special feelings, but I have no special feelings. I think it is (an ordinary) day where I spend the entire season. Personally, I think I have been doing well without any major injuries. It is an honor to be able to reach the records of senior players. I will play for them longer, and they will be able to challenge my record," he said.
Kang Min-ho joined Lotte Giants in 2004 as the 17th overall pick in the second and third rounds of the KBO League rookie draft. He is now in his 21st year of professional baseball. He has been standing behind the home plate for a long time without any major injuries. "I think I should thank my parents for giving me a healthy body rather than a secret to not getting hurt. I also remember the many trainers who gave me a lot of treatment throughout my long professional life. It wasn't something I could do alone. With the help of many people, I feel like I can play baseball healthily and for a long time. I have never played with this record in mind until now. Having spent a season healthy, I was able to reach it. There were many atmospheres that seniors had to retire over the age of 40. I will play more games this year with a sense of duty to show my juniors that they can play if they are competitive even if they are old," he said.
Kang Min-ho, who is rewriting the history of being a catcher in the KBO, expressed his attachment to the catcher by saying that he wants to be a catcher even if he is born again in his next life. "Capture is a really difficult position, but I can feel joy, sorrow, and pleasure the most compared to other positions. That's another charm. If I have a next life, I want to be a catcher again. He is charming," he said with a smile.
Kang Min-ho, who played 2,238 games on the day, also played as a member of the national team, including the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He experienced numerous games. As for the most memorable moment, he said, "In my second year as a professional baseball player, I played the opening game at Sajik (then a member of Lotte Giants / against Hyundai Unicorns on April 5, 2005)." That was the most memorable moment. In the first year of the pro league, my team was also at the bottom, and I was not nervous because the season was coming to an end. But the next year, I remember being really nervous because the crowd was full. I don't remember who our team's starting pitcher was, but I remember hitting Jeon Joon-ho (pitcher) in the final."
Samsung coach Park Jin-man and LG coach Yeom Kyung-yeop praised Kang. "Captors are physically burdened unlike other positions. As a catcher, I think it will be worth more for him to set such a record. I hope he continues to set good records in good health," Yeom said in a thumbs-up. "It is more meaningful than any other player that a catcher sets a new record for the most appearances. I think he managed the catcher really well as a baseball player, as he was really struggling. Younger players need to learn a lot. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart."
Meanwhile, as the fifth inning ended and the game became official, Kang's total number of games increased from 2,237 to 2,238. Indeed, he has written a new chapter in the history of the KBO league. At that moment, a surprise guest named Park Yong-taek, a commentator, visited the stadium and expressed his congratulations. LG did not remain complacent either. Captain Oh Ji-hwan and veteran Kim Hyun-soo came out and presented bouquets of flowers, showing respect to their seniors. Kang smiled brightly and took a photo with his teammates, and savored the moment of record by giving high-fives with teammates. Every game he participates in will become a new chapter in the KBO league.