Fifteen years have passed, but I haven't forgotten Kim Tae-kyun, right after pitching at Chiba Lotte's home game, the cheering squad called in Kim Tae-kyun's cheerleading who won in 2010

Jun 27, 2025

Fifteen years have passed, but I haven't forgotten Kim Tae-kyun, right after pitching at Chiba Lotte's home game, the cheering squad called in Kim Tae-kyun's cheerleading who won in 2010
Hanwha Eagles' permanent absentee legend Kim Tae-kyun threw the first pitch at the home game of Chiba Lotte Marines on the 27th. Chiba Lotte fans warmly welcomed Kim Tae-kyun, the 2010 champion. Picture source = Chiba Lotte Marines



Fifteen years have passed, but I haven't forgotten Kim Tae-kyun, right after pitching at Chiba Lotte's home game, the cheering squad called in Kim Tae-kyun's cheerleading who won in 2010
The Chiba Lotte cheering squad welcomed Kim Tae-kyun's cheering song. "Thank you for remembering me even after 15 years," Kim Tae-kyun said" he said hello. Picture source = Chiba Lotte Marines
Fifteen years have passed, but I haven't forgotten Kim Tae-kyun, right after pitching at Chiba Lotte's home game, the cheering squad called in Kim Tae-kyun's cheerleading who won in 2010
Kim Tae-kyun threw the first pitch of Lee Jung-hoo's Major League San Francisco home game on the 23rd. KBSN commentator Kim Tae-kyun with Lee Jung-hoo. Photo courtesy = TKOSB
Fifteen years have passed, but Chiba Lotte fans have not forgotten Kim Tae-kyun.

Kim Tae-kyun (43), the legend of Hanwha Eagles '52's permanent absence, took the mound at the Chiba Marine Stadium on the 27th. He threw the first pitch ahead of the Softbank Hawks in a Chiba Lotte Marines uniform with the mark '52'. When he appeared on the field, Chiba Lotte home fans welcomed him with a big round of applause. After the first pitch, the Chiba Lotte cheering squad sang Kim Tae-kyun's cheering song.

During the first pitch, an interesting scene took place. Kim Tae-kyun threw the first pitch before Softbank's No. 1 hitter Shuto Ukyo took the batter's box. Japanese media reported that laughter and shouts came from the audience after seeing the unexpected 'ultra-fast first pitch'.




Kim Tae-kyun said, `It's such an honor to invite you for the first time in 15 years. I was happy to throw the first pitch at Marine Stadium for the first time in a long time. I thank my fans for remembering me." He continued "I was glad and touched that you sang the cheer song. The Mariners fans are really the best fans."

Chiba Lotte played the game against Softbank 'Korea Night' As part of the event, Kim Tae-kyun, a former Chiba Lotte player, was invited as the first pitchman. On this day, a cart bar selling Korean food was built outside Marine Stadium, creating a Korean atmosphere.

Kim Tae-kyun, who played as Hanwha's 'Jupo', moved to Chiba Lotte in 2010. He played in 172 games until 2011 and batted .265-167 with 22 home runs and 106 RBIs. He played as the fourth batter from the opening game of the first year of the transfer and played a strong role in the early part of the season. He led the offense with a hard hit of 18 home runs and 65 RBIs through June. It was a shame that he slowed down in the second half, but he finished his first season with a batting average of 0.268-21 homers and 92 RBIs.




Fifteen years have passed, but I haven't forgotten Kim Tae-kyun, right after pitching at Chiba Lotte's home game, the cheering squad called in Kim Tae-kyun's cheerleading who won in 2010
photo courtesy of TKOSB
Fifteen years have passed, but I haven't forgotten Kim Tae-kyun, right after pitching at Chiba Lotte's home game, the cheering squad called in Kim Tae-kyun's cheerleading who won in 2010
KIA-Hanwha match held at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on March 28. Hanwha legends Song Jin-woo, Jang Jong-hoon, Jung Min-cheol and Kim Tae-kyun (from left) pitch in the home opening game at the new stadium. Daejeon = Reporter Jung Jae-geun
In 2010, Chiba Lotte started the fall baseball league as third place in the Pacific League, beating the Chunichi Dragons and lifting the Japan Series trophy. The contribution of main hitter Kim Tae-kyun cannot be left out. Chiba Lotte won the title for the first time in five years following 2005 when Lee Seung-yeop was active.

He stood in front of Japanese fans four days after throwing the first pitch of the Major League Baseball. Kim Tae-kyun threw the first pitch at the home game of Lee Jung-hoo's team, the San Francisco Giants, on the 23rd. He took the mound ahead of the Boston Red Sox game at Oracle Park in San Francisco.

Thanks to Hanwha, his former team, he started pitching in the Major League. Life Plus, Hanwha Group's financial affiliate, is a sponsor of the San Francisco club, and held a brand day event on that day. Kim Tae-kyun threw the first pitch and unveiled Lee Jung-hoo's new cheering song produced by Life Plus.




Meanwhile, Chiba Lotte lost to Softbank 3-6 in its first game after the interleague ended. It collapsed by allowing five runs in the eighth inning, when the score was tied 1-1. Chiba Lotte remains at the bottom of the Pacific League.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.