Seoul: Oh Seung-hwan, the all-time saves leader in South Korean baseball, announced Wednesday he will retire after this season at age 43. Oh has spent his entire 15-year career in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) with the Samsung Lions, notching 427 saves. The right-hander also played for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan from 2014 to 2015 and collected 80 saves there, before adding 42 saves in Major League Baseball while pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Colorado Rockies from 2016 to 2019.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Lions said Oh had informed the team's owner and CEO, Yoo Jeong-keun, over the weekend that he will hang up his spikes after the 2025 season. The Lions also announced they will retire Oh's No. 21, making him the fourth player to have his number retired, alongside club legends Lee Man-soo (No. 22), Yang Joon-hyuk (No. 10), and Lee Seung-yuop (No. 36).
Oh has not recorded a save in 11 outings in the KBO this season, while posting an 8.31 ERA over 8 2/3 innings. He started the season in the minors and didn't make his season debut until June 4. No longer possessing the zip on his signature fastball, Oh only lasted about a month with the Lions before being sent back to the minors.
The Lions stated Oh will travel with the club the rest of the season but will not be put on their active roster. They plan to organize a farewell tour over the remaining course of the season, where the Lions' opposing teams will recognize and celebrate Oh's career. The Lions mentioned they will give Oh one final chance to pitch toward the end of the season.
In addition to holding the career saves record with 427, Oh owns the single-season saves mark with 47, set in 2006 and matched by himself in 2011. Oh helped the Lions win Korean Series titles in 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, and 2013. He was voted the Korean Series MVP in 2011 when he tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings over four outings and recorded three saves.
"After much deliberation, I've made the decision to retire," Oh said. "I've been blessed to have pitched in so many games in different leagues. I will never forget the love and support I've received from fans. I will always be grateful."