Special beings, not foreigners...I hope KBO Legend gets closer on the mound

Jun 29, 2025

Special beings, not foreigners...I hope KBO Legend gets closer on the mound
Kim Tae-kyun goes to the ground for the first pitch at Marine Stadium in Jojo. Photo courtesy = Chiba Lotte Marines



"It reminds me of my old days as a player."

Kim Tae-kyun, who is a commentator on KBS N baseball and a "permanent legend" of Hanwha Eagles, officially invited Chiba Lotte Marines to pitch at Jojo Marine Stadium in Chiba, Japan, on the 27th.

The first pitch was held as part of a special event hosted by Chiba Lotte Marines 'KOREAN NIGHT'.




'Korean Night' is a three-day Korea-Japan cultural exchange event held from the 27th to the 29th, and Kim Tae-kyun was invited as the first pitchman as an iconic figure representing Korean baseball.

The Chiba Lotte club added meaning by introducing Kim Tae-kyun as a legend alive in the memory of fans and an unforgettable presence in the club's history.

Kim Tae-kyun played for the Chiba Lotte Marines in the 2010-2011 season. In particular, he played in 141 games in 2010, his first year in Japanese professional baseball, with a batting average of 268 and 21 home runs (OPS) of 0.786 to lead Chiba Lotte to win the Japan Series. In 2010, he garnered the most votes and home run race wins in the Pacific League, and was also very popular in Japan.




Fourteen years later, the first pitch remained a moment that conveyed the glory of the past and the emotion of the present to Korean and Japanese baseball fans at the same time, beyond simple ceremonies.

Special beings, not foreigners...I hope KBO Legend gets closer on the mound
Kim Tae-kyun on the mound for the first pitch at Marine Stadium in Jojo. Photo courtesy = Chiba Lotte Marines
Special beings, not foreigners...I hope KBO Legend gets closer on the mound
Kim Tae-kyun saving. Photo courtesy = Chiba Lotte Marines
Prior to the first pitch, Kim Tae-kyun held a photo time event with fans selected through prior application. They took pictures and greeted the fans and gave warm memories to the fans who visited the site for the first time in a long time.

Kim Tae-kyun appeared with a bright expression and answered the fans' cheers with his hands raised, and he carefully threw the ball and finished the meaningful first pitch. Local fans chanted his name and realized his still popularity.




"It's been a long time since I came to Marine Stadium, and I vividly recalled my memories of my days as a player. "I sincerely thank the Japanese fans for welcoming me warmly," Kim Tae-kyun said. I hope that Korea and Japan will get closer through baseball."

An official from Chiba Lotte said, `Kim Tae-kyun is not just a foreign mercenary, but a special presence in our team's history. His first pitch was a symbolic scene that united baseball fans from both countries" he said.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.