Daegu: Samsung Lions reliever Oh Seung-hwan, the all-time saves leader in South Korean baseball, announced he has no regrets about his decision to retire, as he concludes a storied 21-year professional career. The 43-year-old will retire at the end of this season, having recorded 427 saves, a record in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
According to Yonhap News Agency, Oh has been widely regarded as the finest closer in the KBO’s 43-year history. He spent his entire 15-year KBO career with the Samsung Lions, who selected him fifth overall out of college in the first round of the 2004 draft. Oh was added to the Lions’ roster prior to their final home game against the Kia Tigers, marking his return to the mound since July 8. In a pregame press conference, Oh expressed his dedication to preparing for this final home appearance.
Oh announced his retirement decision in early August and has been on a farewell tour across the league. During this tour, opposing teams honored him with gifts during his final visits to their cities. Reflecting on his career, Oh stated that he has no regrets and is at peace with his decision to retire.
Oh’s career extended beyond the KBO, having played for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan, where he secured 80 saves, and accumulating 42 saves in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Colorado Rockies. Oh shared that he continues to receive supportive messages from fans in Japan and the MLB, and he looks forward to reconnecting with them.
While Oh has not decided on his post-retirement plans, he mentioned that he is not stressing over his future yet. His teammates paid tribute by wearing special uniforms with his nickname, “Final Boss,” and his number, 21. Oh felt the impact of his retirement as teammates sought autographs, marking the end of an era.
Throughout his career, Oh has been fortunate to pitch to remarkable catchers and contributed to the Lions’ victories in multiple Korean Series titles. His notable performances earned him Korean Series MVP awards in 2005 and 2011.
As the Lions fought for a postseason spot, Oh remained focused on the team’s success rather than personal achievements. He expressed willingness to pitch in the postseason if the team’s situation required it, emphasizing that the team’s record was more important than his individual stats.
In what was expected to be his final regular-season appearance, Oh took the mound in the ninth inning, receiving a guard of honor from his teammates. He faced his former teammate Choi Hyoung-woo, striking him out, and shared an emotional moment on the mound with Choi and Lions catcher Kang Min-ho.
Oh leaves behind an impressive legacy with 549 saves across three leagues, though he humorously noted his desire for a round number of saves. His retirement comes as the Lions continue to battle for postseason positioning.