I wish Oh Seung-hwan’s juniors a new goal ahead of 300 saves in the KBO League.
Oh Seung-hwan (39, Samsung Lions), who does not cling to the record, also gives meaning to the KBO League’s first 300 saves 안전놀이터
Oh Seung-hwan, who met at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on the 2nd, said, “It is a record set in the same league, and there is no player in the KBO league who has made 300 saves yet, so it is meaningful.”
It is unusual for Oh Seung-hwan, a “stone Buddha” who rarely shows his feelings even if he sets a milestone, to give this much meaning to his record.
Oh Seung-hwan said, “If I achieve 300 saves, the bangs of the KBO League’s personal save record will change,” adding, “The juniors may set ‘300 saves’ as a new goal.”
Oh Seung-hwan achieved 400 saves in his career against the Doosan Bears in Jamsil on June 16 last year.
In the match against Doosan in Daegu on August 14, he made his 208th save, surpassing 407 saves by Hitoki Iwase (retired), who the Japanese media called “the best record in Asia.”
When Korea, the U.S., and Japan’s career records became a hot topic, Oh Seung-hwan said, “The records set in different leagues are meaningless.”
Ahead of achieving 400 saves, he also said, “I hope I can achieve it quickly and pass by.”
Oh Seung-hwan, who joined the Hanshin Tigers in 2014, earned 80 saves in two years.
In 2016, he made 42 saves with the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Colorado Rockies.
Oh Seung-hwan proved that “Korea’s top finisher also works in the Japanese and U.S. Major Leagues.”
However, when Oh returned to the KBO league, his major league performance in Japan and the U.S. was sealed as a “past record.”
Oh Seung-hwan’s KBO league record is ‘current progressive’.
Oh Seung-hwan, who made his first personal save against the LG Twins at Daegu Citizen’s Stadium on April 27, 2005, made a total of 277 saves before the Incheon SK Wyverns on September 24, 2013.
Oh Seung-hwan, who returned to the KBO league in 2020, made 18 saves that year.
Oh Seung-hwan will fill 300 saves in the KBO League if he adds five saves.
Samsung’s final goal in 2021 is Oh Seung-hwan.
If Oh Seung-hwan’s number of saves increases, Samsung’s winning rate will also rise.
Oh Seung-hwan said, “If I save a lot, doesn’t that mean the team often wins the tight match?” “If you win often, you will gain strength throughout the team.” “If such power builds up, we become a strong team.”
It is also building up its strength to withstand a tight race.
Oh Seung-hwan said, “I started my personal training on December 12, 2020, faster than ever. “I made my body well with the help of many people including Lee Han-il (former Samsung trainer).”
“We are trying to increase the angle of the arms and increase the rotational power compared to last year. “The ball needs to be thrown at a 45 degree angle (between the head and the shoulder) to increase its rotational power, but last year, my arm felt like throwing while lying on the side,” he said. “I am making up for my shortcomings while reviewing last season.”
His physical condition is better than last year, and information on other hitters has increased.
Oh Seung-hwan said, “When I threw the ball last year, I felt that KBO league hitters had improved technically. “No matter how good a fastball is, I knew that if the pattern was monotonous, I would be attacked,” he said. “The experience of returning to the mound last year and facing batters will be of great help this year.”
Oh Seung-hwan’s effect is also spread to bullpen and locker rooms.
Samsung pitchers said, “I learn a lot just by training with Oh Seung-hwan.”
Oh Seung-hwan is blunt on the mound, but he stays calm with his juniors.
Oh Seung-hwan said, “I gained a lot from training with my juniors last winter. There are times when I have a hard time in training, too. “When I do that, I see my juniors and whip them even more.
When Samsung’s juniors are tired, they cheer up a little more, saying, “Oh Seung-hwan also trains like that, can juniors rest?”
Oh Seung-hwan said, “I and my juniors seem to give each other a good stimulus.”
With the retirement of Kwon Oh-jun, a two-year senior, Oh Seung-hwan became Samsung’s top senior. Friends of the same age, including Kim Tae-kyun and Jung Geun-woo, who led Korean baseball, have also retired.
Oh Seung-hwan said, “Recently, I get a lot of questions about my retired seniors or colleagues.” “I haven’t thought about retirement yet, but I’m reminded of my age when I get asked that question frequently.”
Oh Seung-hwan is still the top finisher in the KBO League. Of course, it is too early to consider retirement.
Oh Seung-hwan said, “I don’t want to continue my career due to my poor skills. “I’ve never felt like I’m overwhelmed now,” he said while training. “In 2021, I want to pitch better,” expressing his motivation as much as a new pitcher.