LG veteran pitcher Kim Jin-seong (38) recorded a save for two days in a row for the first time in nine years. Kim Jin-seong, who appeared in the most games in the KBO League this season, is recording career-high results at the age of 38, which is surprising.
Kim Jin-seong recorded a save by taking the mound in the 9th inning with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd base in a game against Hanwha held at Jamsil Stadium on the 24th with the team leading 5-1. Previously, Myung-Geun Park allowed the leadoff hitter to walk, and after getting two outs, Jin-Young Lee was sent out with a straight walk.
LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop replaced the pitcher when left-handed hitter Choi In-ho was at bat. Although the difference is 4 points, before the big hit, Park Myung-geun was lowered on the side arm and Kim Jin-seong, who is strong against left-handed hitters, was hired.
Kim Jin-seong ended the game with a fly ball to center field with the first pitch (fork ball) and the second fastball.
In the game against Hanwha on the 23rd, Kim Jin-seong took the mound in a critical situation with one out and first and second bases in the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead. The first batter, left-handed batter Williams, was thrown out with a forkball to right field, and with 2 outs and 1st and 3rd bases, Moon Hyun-bin was struck out with a forkball and ended the game. ⅔ innings, 1 strikeout, no runs saved.
As Go Woo-seok was called up to the Asian Games national team on the 23rd, LG’s tailgate is operating as a group finisher system. As soon as Go Woo-seok left, Kim Jin-seong recorded a save for two days in a row. Kim Jin-seong, a seasoned player with a wealth of experience, is expected to take center stage in the bullpen for the time being.
This is the first time in 9 years that Kim Jin-seong has recorded saves for two consecutive days since he recorded saves for two consecutive days in the match against Doosan on October 4, 2014, and against Doosan on the 5th. In terms of date, it has been 3276 days.
At the time, Kim Jin-seong served as NC’s closing pitcher and recorded 3 wins, 3 losses, 1 hold, 25 saves, and an ERA of 4.10 in 58 games. The following year, his position was changed to setup man at the beginning of the season, and he recorded 3 wins, 4 losses, 5 saves, and 12 holds.
Afterwards, he continued to play as a sure-win team in the closing stages, and contributed greatly to NC’s first Korean Series win in 2020. He appeared in all games of the Korean Series (6 games) and performed well with 3 holds and an ERA of 0.
However, as Kim Jin-seong performed poorly in the 2021 season with an ERA of around 7 points, he was listed for release after the season. Kim Jin-seong tried to find a new job by calling each of the nine clubs and asking for a tryout, and LG general manager Cha Myeong-seok reached out to Jinseong Kim, saying that a tryout test was not necessary.
Kim Jin-seong, wearing the LG uniform, appeared in 67 games last year and did a tough job in the bullpen, recording 6 wins, 3 losses, 12 holds, and an ERA of 3.10.안전놀이터
Kim Jin-seong, who qualified as a free agent after the season, signed a two-year contract with LG worth a total of 700 million won. Although there are a lot of free agent contracts worth 10 billion won, Kim Jin-seong was satisfied, saying he did not know he would sign a free agent contract at the age of 38.
This season, Kim Jin-seong appeared in 72 games and recorded 4 wins, 1 loss, 3 saves, 18 holds, and an ERA of 2.31. He has the most appearances in the league, but his ERA is in the low 2-point range, which is his best personal record ever.
Kim Jin-seong said, “He said he would give his whole body to win, so he can’t rest and has to keep throwing.” He went on to say with a smile, “I’m taking good care of my body, so I don’t have any physical problems. I think I can rest after we win the regular season.”