grapplegraphics.com Although faced with a crisis, Seung-Hwan Oh (41, Samsung Lions), the ‘final leader’,스포츠토토 remained strong. He became the first player in the KBO League to reach 400 career saves.
Seung-Hwan Oh took the mound with 2 outs and runners on second base in the 8th inning with the SSG Landers leading 4-3 at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on the 14th. Oh Seung-hwan, who treated pinch hitter Choo Shin-soo with a ground ball to first base, gave up two walks in the 9th inning and was on the verge of giving up a run, but Guermo Heredia and Park Seong-han were hit. As Samsung won 5-3, Oh Seung-hwan recorded his 30th save of the season and his 400th career save. Seung-hwan Oh smiled brightly as he hugged Min-ho Kang, and all Samsung players congratulated him.
Oh Seung-hwan proved his health by becoming the oldest salvation king in 2021 (39 years old). However, he showed signs of instability last year. There were consecutive relief failures, and the team fell into a losing streak and was unable to play fall baseball. This year, the season continued to be sluggish at the beginning, leading to the conclusion of the season.
Samsung coach Jin-man Park even selected Seung-hwan Oh as a starter in the game against Kiwoom Heroes on May 3 to help him find his pitching balance. It was his first since his professional debut in 2005. Oh Seung-hwan, who was sent down to the second team after allowing 3 runs in 5 innings, regrouped. In the game against KT on June 16, he appeared on the mound in the 8th inning, but after being replaced, he threw away his glove and suffered the pain of being sent to the second team. It did not look like a ‘stone Buddha’ who protected victory without expression.
However, Oh Seung-hwan, who came back, became stronger. Although he is not as dominant as he used to be with his ‘stone fastball’, he kept the team’s back door with his skillful pitching. In 32 games in the second half of the season, he had 2 wins, 2 losses, 20 saves, and an ERA of 2.20. He is currently on a 10-game scoreless streak.
Seung-hwan Oh is the best firefighter in KBO League history. He set various records, starting with setting the record for most saves (47) in a single season in 2006. He also achieved 500 saves for the first time in Korea, the United States, and Japan while playing in Japan (80 saves) and the Major League (42 saves). The gap with his same-age player Son Seung-rak (KIA Futures coach, 271 saves), who ranks second all-time in saves, is 129.
However, Oh Seung-hwan’s future is unclear. Most of those born in 1982, known as the golden generation, have retired. Choo Shin-soo, Kim Kang-min (SSG), and Oh Seung-hwan are also facing the end. Seung-Hwan Oh, who will qualify as a free agent after this season, needs to discuss between the club and Seung-Hwan Oh whether he will remain active.