No, already? Oh Seung-hwan has a lot of love calls for baseball entertainment shows. He's been in touch until this morning…

Aug 07, 2025

The Samsung Lions Oh Seung-hwan's retirement press conference was held at the Orakai Hotel in Songdo, Incheon on the afternoon of the 7th. Oh Seung-hwan is giving his feelings about retirement. Incheon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.08.07/

[Songdo (Incheon) = Reporter Na Yuri from Sports Chosun]"Even this morning, I've been contacted by (baseball entertainment) juniors...."

Oh Seung-hwan of the Samsung Lions held a retirement press conference at the Orakai Hotel in Songdo, Incheon on the 7th. 'Straightforward' Oh Seung-hwan announced his retirement from active duty after the end of this season. After graduating from Dankook University, Oh Seung-hwan, who was drafted by Samsung as the fifth overall pick in the second round in 2005, won the Rookie of the Year award with an overwhelming record of 10 wins, 1 loss, 11 holds, 16 saves and an ERA of 1.18 in 61 games from his first season. Oh Seung-hwan, who was reborn as the league's best finish and national team finish beyond Samsung's closing pitcher, led the bullpen of the Samsung Dynasty. After the end of the 2013 season, he announced his overseas expansion and played as a bullpen in the Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB) and the U.S. Major League (MLB). Oh Seung-hwan returned to his former team Samsung in the 2019 season after overseas challenges and has been the oldest player in the league this season, but he finally decided to retire considering various situations, including reduced business opportunities within the team.

Samsung's Oh Seung-hwan is pitching hard in the bottom of the sixth inning of the game between Samsung and Lotte at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 20th. Busan = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.06.20/

He, who set the record of 400 saves for the first time in the KBO league in 2023, will record 44 wins, 33 losses, 19 holds, 427 saves, and an ERA of 2.32 in 737 KBO games. Korea, the U.S., and Japan set a new record of 549 saves.

Samsung will designate Oh Seung-hwan's back number '21' as permanent number. It is the fourth permanent absence in Lions history after No. 22 Lee Man-soo, No. 10 Yang Jun-hyuk, and No. 36 Lee Seung-yeop. Oh Seung-hwan has decided to prepare for a retirement game at the end of the season by accompanying the first-team squad without registering for an entry in the future.

Oh Seung-hwan said, `I haven't decided yet. I want to continue discussing the future course with the club," he reiterated several times. When asked if he has any thoughts on his path as a coach, director, etc. "That's not something I can decide now", he was cautious, but "Even if it's not right now, I think I'd like to do it when I think I'm studying a lot and I'm ready." It's still good to work with the players. I was lucky enough to share my experiences in various leagues with my juniors," he said.

Not only Lee Dae-ho and Kim Tae-kyun, who were close to Oh Seung-hwan in 1982, but also a number of recently retired players are actively engaged in broadcasting activities, including baseball entertainment programs. When asked if he would appear on such a baseball entertainment program among his future options, he said, `After the retirement report came out yesterday, I got a lot of calls from players, juniors and seniors who are still on the baseball entertainment program this morning," he said with a smile. This means that Oh Seung-hwan, who was the best closing pitcher in the league, is already receiving a flood of 'love calls'.

However, he said he would have time to think more, as his career is not over yet. Oh Seung-hwan said "There's nothing I can say here right now. I think I can think about it later because the ball is not fully set yet. I don't think you have to refuse to contribute to any part of baseball if you can contribute even a little to it. I would like to discuss my future course with the club," he replied carefully.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.