Hanwha Eagles’ “1004G·197SV Legend” pitcher Jung Woo-ram is set to retire as an active player. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon is agonizing over the timing of Jung Woo-ram’s retirement game. The possibility of a surprise start cannot be ruled out.
Jung Woo-ram was offered a playing coach this season and continued his active career. However, he did not take any appearances in the Futures League as well as the first team. In fact, he focused on his role as a coach for the remaining forces, only to decide to retire from active duty. 안전놀이터
Jung Woo-ram, who was designated by the SK Wyverns as the 11th overall pick in the second round in 2004, played an active role as the main bullpen during the SK dynasty. Jung Woo-ram, who moved to Hanwha before the 2016 season, took care of the team’s back door and eliminated his worries as a closer.
Jung Woo-ram, who continued to play in 50 games for six consecutive seasons after moving to Hanwha, has lost ground in his team since the 2022 season. However, Jung set a new record of playing in 1,000 games for the first time as a KBO league pitcher in the match against the Daejeon NC Dinos on Oct. 2 last year. Jung then set a new record of playing in the most games in Asia (1,003 games) as a single league pitcher in the match against the Daejeon Lotte Giants on Oct. 15 last year.
Jung Woo-ram pitched in 1,004 games in the first division, recording 64 wins, 47 losses, 197 saves, 145 holds, a 3.18 ERA, 937 strikeouts, and 360 walks.
The Hanwha team announced that Jung Woo-ram will hold an active retirement ceremony in the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League match against NC on the 29th.
Jung Woo-ram said through the club at the time of the recent announcement of his retirement, “I have been able to stand on the mound for a long time with the help and love of so many people, including the Hanwha Eagles team,” adding, “I sincerely thank everyone who supported and helped me.”
Naturally, attention is being paid to the possibility of Jung Woo-ram’s retirement game. There is a possibility of a relief appearance on the 29th, when the retirement ceremony will be held, but there is also a possibility of a surprise start in the home game on the 28th.
Coach Kim Kyung-moon met with reporters before the game on the 25th and said, “Jung Woo-ram said he really wanted to throw one batter, so I think he’ll probably deal with one batter,” but added, “If I start and face one batter, I’ll be able to face the first batter because it’s an alternative starting position in the second game of the weekend (against Daejeon SSG on Saturday the 28th).”
If Jung Woo-ram starts a surprise retirement game against SSG on the 28th, it means another meaning as he is playing a retirement game against his family. However, since SSG is competing for the last five strongest teams, it may be burdensome for Jung Woo-ram to take the mound. It may be less burdensome to take the mound in the final home match against NC, which was eliminated in the fifth round. In many ways, head coach Kim Kyung-moon’s concerns are expected to deepen over the timing of Jung Woo-ram’s retirement game.