Players worth more than starters. This is the standard for rebuilding. It's not a surprise sensation for the second place

Apr 07, 2025

Players worth more than starters. This is the standard for rebuilding. It's not a surprise sensation for the second place
오태곤. Photo =SSG Landers



"We'll be burdened, so I hope young players can play baseball as much as they want."

SSG Landers' first team entry has two veteran fielders that can never be left out. It's Kim Sung-hyun and Oh Tae-gon. Kim Sung-hyun, who can play almost all positions in the infield, and Oh Tae-gon, who can defend the outfield and the first base. The two are not currently classified as the main players, but in fact, they have been consistently performing as the main players.

In particular, Oh Tae-gon is already the third final hit. After hitting the winning hit in the eighth inning of the opening game against the Doosan Bears on March 22, he recorded a walk-off hit in both games against the KT Wiz at home in Incheon last weekend. In the game on the 4th, he recorded a walk-off hit against Choi Dong-hwan in the bottom of the 11th inning, and in the game on the 6th, a walk-off hit to destroy Park Young-hyun in the bottom of the 9th inning, when he was 0-0, brought his team's 1-0 victory.




It is the fourth consecutive walk-off hit in two consecutive games since Lotte's Moon Kyu-hyun in 2016, Samsung's Park Han-yi in 2018, and Kiwoom's Main Effect Award in 2020.

Players worth more than starters. This is the standard for rebuilding. It's not a surprise sensation for the second place
사진=SSG 랜더스
However, after hitting a walk-off hit on the 6th, Oh Tae-gon was the first to talk about his juniors. He said "Now our team has a lot of young players going to games. Seong-hyun and I are the only fielders veterans. I think it's right for us to take that responsibility rather than for young people. I was like that when I was young, young players watch baseball in a straight line. I just wish I could continue like that. You have to be as energetic as a young player. A veteran should take responsibility," he stressed.

SSG is currently pushing for a generational change by hiring young players in their early 20s, including Jung Joon-jae, Park Ji-hwan, and Ko Myung-jun as the main players. There are still ups and downs, but in the end, they have to grow to strengthen the team. Naturally, the chances of players in their 30s, including Oh Tae-gon, have decreased, which is the same as asking them to use themselves as shields instead of looking at them negatively.




Players worth more than starters. This is the standard for rebuilding. It's not a surprise sensation for the second place
KBO League Kiwoom and SSG match held at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 30th. SSG Park Ji-hwan who made a defensive error in the sixth inning of the throwing. Gocheok = Song Jeong-heon Reporter songs@sportschosun.com/2025.03.30/
Twenty-something promising players still have ups and downs. In particular, Ko Myung-joon, Jung Joon-jae, and Park Ji-hwan, who are actually in their second year, are all learning the difficulties of baseball at the beginning of the season. Oh Tae-gon also sympathized with this and "There were times when I was like that, too. Everyone doesn't know what to do in the first year. But it gets harder when you know baseball. You have to overcome that to become a player like Park Sung-han and Jihoon Choi. The director trusts and writes it, and what an opportunity it is for them. It's really helpful for the players to trust and use them. I hope young juniors believe that and continue to do well. If they do well, our team will develop as well," he said, expressing his sincere opinion for the team.

In a way, it is the most ideal reconstruction look. Although it is said to push for a natural generational change, the process always comes with labor. Veterans who have been pushed out may be discouraged or have conflicts due to emotional injuries. In addition, young players are more often unable to play their baseball due to the pressure. However, SSG is working through this transition period with teamwork.

Players worth more than starters. This is the standard for rebuilding. It's not a surprise sensation for the second place
SSG Kim Sung-hyun hits an exhibition game between LG and SSG at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 16th. Incheon= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.03.16/
Coach Lee Sung-yong also praised veteran players for their roles. Director Lee said, `Taegon has a very high proportion of our team. He does all the bad things, and in a way, he's more valuable than a starter"Sung-hyun is also leading the juniors well, as are such veterans. They do their job so well. Thanks to these players, our team has invisible power," he praised.




Manager Lee Soo-yong also said, `We give young players time and opportunities even if they can't, but it's hard to do that for veterans as a coach. Still, Sung-hyun and Tae-gon know the team culture well and are a strong support to their juniors. Even in difficult situations, he always practices hitting and sets an example by practicing defense even though he can't go to games often. These players are the undisclosed power of our team. I am always grateful to the two friends."

SSG is doing well by ranking second in the early part of the season, breaking expectations of the lower ranks. However, its good performance in the early part of the season is by no means a surprise sensation. The positive factors accumulated over the years are creating clear synergy. It is an ideal textbook of old and new harmony.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.