Daegu: Samsung Lions reliever Oh Seung-hwan, the all-time saves leader in South Korean baseball, stated on Tuesday that he has no regrets about his decision to retire from professional baseball.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the 43-year-old Oh will conclude his 21-year professional career after this season, having achieved a record 427 saves to top the career leaderboard in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Regarded as the finest closer in the KBO’s 43-year history, Oh has dedicated 15 years of his career to the Lions, the team that selected him fifth overall in the first round of the 2004 draft.

Oh, who had not pitched since July 8, was included in the Lions’ roster for their final home game of the season against the Kia Tigers at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. During a pregame press conference, Oh mentioned his dedication to preparing for one last home game. He noted, “Knowing I wouldn’t have to take care of my body after this, I pushed myself really hard for this opportunity.”

Having announced his retirement plans in early August, Oh has been on a farewell tour across the league, receiving gifts from opposing teams during his final visits to their cities. Reflecting on his career, Oh shared, “I’ve pitched my whole career without any regrets and I have no regrets about my decision now.”

Beyond the KBO, Oh also played for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan from 2014 to 2015, securing 80 saves. He then moved to Major League Baseball (MLB), where he collected 42 saves for the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Colorado Rockies from 2016 to 2019. He expressed appreciation for the continued support from fans in Japan and Korea, and looks forward to reconnecting with them.

Oh has not yet determined his post-retirement plans, stating, “I told myself I wouldn’t stress over my future until my retirement ceremony.” His Lions teammates will honor him by wearing special uniforms featuring his nickname, “Final Boss,” and his number, 21.

Throughout his career, Oh has been grateful for the opportunity to play with renowned catchers, including South Korean legends Jin Kab-yong and Kang Min-ho, and former Cardinals great Yadier Molina. His contributions helped the Lions secure Korean Series titles in five different years, earning him two Korean Series MVP awards.

As the Lions fight to secure their postseason position, Oh remains open to pitching again if the situation demands it. “The team’s situation is more important than whatever I want to do,” he said, emphasizing the importance of the team’s success over personal achievements.

Oh has accumulated 549 saves across three leagues and has previously expressed a desire to retire with a round number of saves. However, with the Lions’ intense postseason race, Oh acknowledged the priority of the team’s record over his personal statistics.