(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kyung-yoon Kim = Professional baseball LG Twins' numbers have been permanently retired. LG 2nd team coach Byeong-gyu Lee and commentator Yong-taek Park did not hide their disappointment and expectations as they watched Jamsil Stadium disappear into history at the end of this season.
After throwing out the first pitch in the 2026 KBO League game between LG and Doosan Bears held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 7th, the two said in unison, "I was very thankful for the stadium."
Coach Lee Byeong-gyu said, "I was happy to play baseball here. I remember playing my first professional debut game in Jamsil in April 1997. It's sad to think that Jamsil Stadium will disappear, but it's comforting to think that a good baseball stadium will be built. I hope the younger players will be able to impress the fans more in a good environment."
Commissioner Park Yong-taek said, "Ever since I was young, I dreamed of becoming a professional player while watching Jamsil Stadium. Last night, before I went to sleep, I felt a tingling sensation in my heart. This is the stadium where I played from my professional debut to my retirement. I am grateful and happy."
Jamsil Stadium in Seoul is a pitcher-friendly stadium where it is difficult to hit a home run as the distance from the home plate to the outfield fence is the longest among all stadiums in Korea.
Therefore, many batters were reluctant to use Jamsil Stadium as their home.
However, Manager Lee Byeong-gyu said, "It was nice that the distance between fielders was large as it was a large baseball field. I set a record of 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases at Jamsil Stadium. I liked it here."
Commissioner Park Yong-taek also said, "When I was a player, my personal records at Jamsil Stadium were better than away games," and "There was a sense of comfort that Jamsil Stadium provided. It was a very good stadium for me."
When asked about the most memorable moment at Jamsil Stadium, manager Lee Byeong-gyu said, “The first and last at-bats.”
Commissioner Park Yong-taek said, "I remember when it was confirmed that we would advance to fall baseball for the first time in 11 years in the last game of the 2013 regular season. Everyone shed tears after the game that day, and now that I think about it, I wonder if advancing to fall baseball in second place was something to cry about."
He added, "Recently, LG's juniors are keeping their heads down even though they are in 3rd and 4th place, but on the other hand, I think, 'LG has become a strong team (that is not satisfied with 3rd or 4th place),'" and ordered, "Please show your best in the remaining games."
He also said, “In my retirement game, (that day’s starter) Lim Chan-gyu took the mound, and he became the winning pitcher,” and added, “As it is an important game, I hope to create a game that LG fans will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Today’s game is the last game of the regular season that LG plays at Jamsil Stadium.
Jamsil Stadium will be demolished at the end of this season, and a new dome stadium will be built in the same place.
