“Hyeon-jong is also great” Yang Hyeon-
jong of the KIA Tigers started in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League home match against the Samsung Lions held at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 22nd, and had 3 hits and 4 walks in 5 innings. He struck out 1 run (1 earned run) and earned his first win of the season.
Yang Hyeon-jong’s 메이저놀이터victory on the 22nd had a different meaning from his other wins. It was because it was the 160th win in the KBO League’s personal career. Yang Hyeon-jong became the third player in KBO League history to leave his name behind Song Jin-woo (210 wins) and Jeong Min-cheol (161 wins). If you add 1 win, Yang Hyeon-jong will stand shoulder to shoulder with Jeong Min-cheol, and if you add 2 wins, you will rise to second place alone with the most wins.
Jamsil Stadium, where KT Wiz and Doosan Bears faced off on the 23rd, blossomed with the story of ‘record’. This is the reason why coach Lee Kang-cheol, the “legend” with a career record of 152 wins, 112 losses, 33 holds, 53 saves and an average ERA of 3.29, who pitched in 602 games during his active career, and commentator Jeong Min-cheol, who is still (?) holding the 2nd place in the KBO league with the most wins, met.
Director Lee Kang-cheol and member Jung Min-cheol are both ‘legends’ representing the KBO League. Head coach Lee Kang-cheol, who started with Haitai Tigers, Samsung Lions and KIA Tigers, ranked 4th with the most wins (152 wins), 6th with complete games (65), 5th with complete shutouts (18), 3rd with innings (2204⅔ innings) and strikeouts ( 1749) 3rd place, etc. It is ranked at the top in most indicators.
Commissioner Jeong Min-cheol, who played for the Binggrae Eagles and Hanwha Eagles during his active career, pitched in 393 games and recorded a record of 161 wins, 128 losses, 10 saves, and an average ERA of 3.51. In particular, he is ranked 2nd in most wins (161 wins), 11th in complete games (61), 2nd in shutouts (20), 5th in innings (2394⅔ innings) and strikeouts (1661).
In an interview with the reporters before the start of the game, coach Lee Kang-cheol raised his thumb, saying, “It’s great. (Yang) Hyeon-jong too” when the story of Yang Hyeon-jong’s 160 wins came out. When coach Lee Kang-chul was working as a coaching staff for the KIA Tigers, Yang Hyeon-jong ate rice in one pot for a long time. Although he is currently wearing a different uniform, he is also a proud junior and disciple.
Manager Lee Kang-cheol, who continued to praise Yang Hyeon-jong, asked “How many wins?” In response, Commissioner Jeong Min-cheol replied, “161 wins.” Then, director Lee Kang-cheol said, “If (Yang Hyeon-jong) adds one more, it will be a tie,” and the story of his career record began to bloom.
Coach Lee Kang-cheol joked, “The day before yesterday, I won my 150th win,” and Commissioner Jeong Min-cheol replied, “When I won 153th, the coach said, ‘I have to wake up quickly.'” In response, coach Lee Kang-cheol joked, “I’ll have to come down second place soon.”
The record story that started with Yang Hyeon-jong continued. Commissioner Jung Min-cheol said, “(I) want to be pushed to the most wins by the right-hander,” and coach Kang-cheol Lee said, “I think I’ll have to go under. From my point of view, (under) doesn’t seem to be broken,” he said, “(next rank) won’t be. I think they have all retired.
Director Lee Kang-cheol said to Commissioner Min-cheol Jeong, “I think (my record) will last longer. If (Min-cheol Jeong) hadn’t gone to Japan, I would have done more.” It was good” and finished the story in a warm atmosphere.
The ‘record’ during active service is like pride and achievement. Even after his retirement. However, the appearance of his juniors who exceed his own record is definitely a joy for the box office and development of the KBO League. It was a ‘comfort’ from a tremendous career, but coach Lee Kang-cheol and member Jung Min-cheol were sincerely happy that Yang Hyeon-jong achieved 160 wins.