Samsung's Kang Min-ho, who achieved victory in his 23rd year, said, "It's better than an Olympic gold medal."

(Daegu = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Dae-ho = “You can retire right now!”

Kang Min-ho (41), catcher for the professional baseball Samsung Lions, knelt down as soon as he saw the faces of reporters on the field and showed his characteristic humorous expression.

His face filled with joy showed the relief of finally winning the Korean Series 23 years after his professional debut.

Samsung won 12-1 in Game 5 of the Korean Series against KT Wiz held at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on the 8th and regained the top spot for the first time in 12 years with a series record of 4 wins and 1 loss.

Kang Min-ho, who joined the Lotte Giants in 2004 and played continuously before moving to Samsung in 2018, earned a championship ring this year following his first Korean Series appearance in 2024.

This is the first win of the Korean Series, the KBO League's longest-running game of all time.

Kang Min-ho, who met with reporters after Samsung's victory ceremony, expressed his emotions, saying, "I met really good colleagues and finished the competition happily. I feel like a day like this has come in my life."

When asked to recall the moment when victory was confirmed, he said, "I don't remember," and added, "I'm not far from retirement, so I'm happy to wear a ring like this."

Kang Min-ho played in the Korean Series with an injury.

In the third game of the playoffs against the KIA Tigers, I cracked my ribs while swinging and tore my muscles as well.

After that, he couldn't turn the bat properly. So, this series’ batting average is 0.083 (1 hit in 12 at-bats).

Instead, Kang Min-ho ignited fighting spirit as a mental pillar that united the players.

Kang Min-ho looked back and said, "It was worth it to persevere. It was the first time I felt that we could all become one while playing baseball. We were able to win thanks to everyone's sacrifice."

He then laughed, saying, "I ran really desperately. I thought I would do my best. I'm happy that something like this movie happened."

Most baseball experts predicted KT would win before the series started.

As KT won the first game, the prediction seemed to come true.

Samsung changed the mood by winning 3-2 in overtime in the second game, and ended the series at home with four consecutive wins.

Kang Min-ho said, "It was difficult because KT was a very good starting team. We won the second game and set the tone. If we had lost there, the series would have been lost."

On this day, Samsung ended the game with two players: Won Tae-in (5 innings, 1 run) and Chris Fedek (4 innings, no runs).

Kang Min-ho praised Fedek, who did not leave a single runner on base during four innings, saying, "Pedek was perfect. The moment he came on the mound, I thought we had won."

Won Tae-in, a 'free agent (FA)' who waited in the bullpen throughout the fall baseball game, started as a starter that day and won by 1 run in 5 innings, saying, "Maybe because I threw a lot, I didn't have much power on the ball today, but I held on well." He said, "I will receive a lot of winning bonuses, so let's build a dynasty together at Samsung next year."

The biggest win in Kang Min-ho's baseball career was the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Kang Min-ho expressed his joy at winning the Korean Series for the first time in 23 years, saying, "It's much better now. There's no comparison."