INCHEON: The SSG Landers will host a retirement ceremony next year to honor former outfielder Kim Kang-min, who recently announced his retirement following the conclusion of the 2024 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the SSG Landers expressed their gratitude towards Kim Kang-min for his significant contributions to the team spanning over two decades. Kim played with the Landers and their predecessor, the SK Wyverns, from 2002 to 2023, during which he was instrumental in winning five Korean Series titles. The team plans to finalize and announce the date of the ceremony at a later time.
Kim, aged 42, was a pivotal player for the Landers, earning the MVP title in the 2022 Korean Series. His remarkable performance included two crucial home runs in the six-game series against the Kiwoom Heroes. Notably, his three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 5 clinched a dramatic 5-4 victory, highlighting his clutch hitting in critical moments.
Following the 2023 s
eason, the Landers controversially left Kim unprotected in the league’s secondary draft, leading to his acquisition by the Hanwha Eagles. Despite the move, Kim chose to extend his career by one year with the Eagles, where he participated in 41 games, achieving a .224 batting average with one home run and seven RBIs.
Over his illustrious career, Kim accumulated a .273 batting average, 139 home runs, 681 RBIs, 209 steals, and 1,487 hits. He also made significant postseason contributions, playing in 73 games with a .264 average, six home runs, and 30 RBIs.