It was a ball that Choi Hyung-woo, who left Oh Seung-hwan with a strikeout that will go down in history, could never hit

Oct 01, 2025

It was a ball that Choi Hyung-woo, who left Oh Seung-hwan with a strikeout that will go down in history, could never hit
The KIA-Samsung match at Lions Park in Daegu on the 30th. When Oh Seung-hwan took the mound in the top of the ninth inning, KIA Choi Hyung-woo came out as a pinch hitter and hugged after striking out. Daegu = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.9.30/



"If the last fork ball was outside, I could have cut it. It was an unattainable breaking ball."

KIA Tigers' Choi Hyung-woo expressed his thoughts on the historic showdown with Samsung Lions' Oh Seung-hwan 'Leader of the End'.

Legendary closer Oh Seung-hwan took off his uniform after the KIA Tigers match and retirement ceremony held at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on the 30th. With the best finish of 21 years, his journey in Korea, the United States and Japan will now remain a page of memories.




Oh Seung-hwan took the mound in the ninth inning. Oh Seung-hwan was able to play as a special entry for retired players on the day, and took the mound for the last time in the top of the ninth inning when Samsung took a 5-0 lead.

KIA manager Lee Bum-ho sent veteran Choi Hyung-woo as a substitute in time for Oh Seung-hwan's appearance. Coach Lee, who met at Gwangju Kia Champions Field on the 1st, said, `If Choi Hyung-woo comes and Oh Seung-hwan throws it, can we go out as a substitute. I also said it was a good idea,' he told the behind-the-scenes story of Choi Hyung-woo's deployment as a substitute.

Before entering the batter's box, Choi Hyung-woo took off his helmet and greeted Oh Seung-hwan. And at the batter's box, he turned his bat to the best of his ability. With KIA not playing after being eliminated from the fall baseball, he cut two balls in a row in the 1S situation. And he was swung and missed by the last fork ball, allowing Oh Seung-hwan to strike out his last pitching record. After the game, he ran to the mound and hugged Oh Seung-hwan and greeted him. That was Oh Seung-hwan's last pitch.




It was a ball that Choi Hyung-woo, who left Oh Seung-hwan with a strikeout that will go down in history, could never hit
The KIA-Samsung match at Lions Park in Daegu on the 30th. When Oh Seung-hwan took the mound in the top of the ninth inning, Choi Hyung-woo comes out as a pinch hitter to greet. Daegu = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.9.30/
Choi Hyung-woo, who returned to Gwangju and prepared for the KT match, said, `If Oh Seung-hwan takes the mound, he can go out as a substitute, so I was preparing in advance"As usual, I just thought of facing the opposing pitcher." I thought it was respectful of Oh Seung-hwan to fight until the end," he said earnestly.

Regarding the strikeout situation, Choi Hyung-woo said, `The fastball that sticks in the zone is still powerful. In the meantime, he gave timing to the high fastball and the outer forkball. Counting has gathered. If the last forkball that swung and missed came outside, I would have cut it. Then I think the game would have been longer. However, the last ball fell to the body exquisitely. The ball came that I couldn't hit."

It was a ball that Choi Hyung-woo, who left Oh Seung-hwan with a strikeout that will go down in history, could never hit
The KIA-Samsung match at Lions Park in Daegu on the 30th. When Oh Seung-hwan took the mound in the top of the ninth inning, KIA Choi Hyung-woo came out as a pinch hitter and hugged after striking out. Daegu = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.9.30/
In fact, it was the last pitch, and it could be awkward for Choi Hyung-woo to hit a home run or a hit. There was also a view that he talked to Samsung catcher Kang Min-ho to some extent and was swung and missed. Choi Hyung-woo said about this "I didn't have any conversations with Kang Min-ho. If Oh Seung-hwan comes out, I can wait I've only said this much. Rather, Kang Min-ho created an atmosphere where I could focus on the match against Oh Seung-hwan at bat", he explained.




Choi was the most respected player since he was last on the same team. He was also a senior who was flawless. After the game, I wanted to say hello with all my heart" he said. During Oh Seung-hwan's retirement tour in Gwangju, Choi Hyung-woo personally prepared a plaque of appreciation and shed tears.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.