
Samsung Lions catcher Kang Min-ho won his first career championship in his 23rd professional season, playing through injuries to help his team defeat the KT Wiz in the Korean Series.
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Kang Min-ho won his first Korean Series title in his 23rd professional season with the Samsung Lions.
By Yoo Jee-ho
DAEGU, Nov. 8 (Yonhap) -- In his 23rd season in professional baseball, Samsung Lions catcher Kang Min-ho finally celebrated his first championship Sunday.
Kang backstopped the Lions to the Korean Series title over the KT Wiz this month, playing through a torn oblique on the left side and also a hairline fracture in his ribs. For a long stretch in the postseason, Kang could barely put on a swing, but the team still kept him on the field for his contributions from behind the dish -- where his savvy game calling and his overall defense gave the pitchers a sense of stability.
"I had no idea a day like this would ever come to me," Kang said with a smile. "I was blessed with such great teammates to have this happy ending. I am probably going to retire soon, and it feels awesome to finally get this title."
Kang batted 1-for-12 in the Korean Series but said playing through the pain was all worth it.
"This is the first time in my career that I realized baseball can bring people together like this," he said. "Everyone made sacrifices to make this possible. This feels like a movie."
Prior to this victory, the highlight of Kang's career had been winning the 2008 Olympic gold medal in Beijing.
"This is so much better," Kang said. "There is no comparison."

Veteran Major League pitcher Chris Fedek, who led the professional baseball Samsung Lions to victory in the Korean Series for the first time in 12 years, expressed his postseason fighting spirit and his thoughts on winning.

Veteran Choi Hyeong-woo, who returned to the Samsung Lions after 10 years, played in Game 5 of the Korean Series against KT Wiz, leading the team to its first win in 12 years and earning his 7th championship ring in his career.

Samsung Lions catcher Kang Min-ho achieved his first Korean Series win 23 years after his debut. He showed fighting spirit despite the injury and was happy to regain the top spot after 12 years, giving credit to his teammates.

Pitcher Won Tae-in secured the Samsung Lions' Korean Series-clinching victory with five strong innings in a 12-1 win over the KT Wiz on Sunday in Daegu.

Former major league pitcher Chris Paddack secured the Korean Series title for the Samsung Lions by pitching four scoreless innings in a 12-1 Game 5 victory over the KT Wiz on Sunday, fulfilling a promise made upon joining the KBO club in July.

Gwangju FC was confirmed to be in last place as a result of the 35th round of K League 1 and will participate in the promotion playoffs. This season, they were unable to avoid a slump due to the departure of coach Lee Jeong-hyo and the aftermath of player recruitment disciplinary action.