Samsung Lions veteran pitcher Oh Seung-hwan (43) has decided to hang up his cleats.
Samsung Lions announced on Wednesday that Oh expressed his intention to retire at the end of this season during a meeting with Samsung Lions owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Yoo Jung-geun at Daegu Samsung Lions Park last weekend.
This decision marks the final stop in Oh’s illustrious 21-year professional career. His jersey number 21 will be retired, making him the fourth player in team history to receive this honor, following Lee Man-soo (22), Yang Joon-hyuk (10), and Lee Seung-yuop (36).
Oh will travel with the first team without being officially registered on the roster and will not participate in games. Samsung will coordinate with the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and other teams to organize a farewell tour for Oh, culminating in a retirement game at the end of the season.
The organization has also pledged to support Oh should he wish to pursue coaching opportunities abroad.
Drafted in the second round (5th overall) in 2005, Oh quickly assumed the closer role in his rookie year, cementing his place as a dominant force on the mound.
He claimed the save title in 2006 and 2011 with 47 saves each season. Oh’s KBO career stats are impressive: 44 wins, 33 losses, 427 saves, 19 holds, and a 2.32 earned run average (ERA) over 737 games.
After leading Samsung Lions to three consecutive championships in 2013, Oh took his talents to Japan by signing with the Hanshin Tigers. He continued to excel, amassing 80 saves in just two seasons and solidifying his reputation as a shutdown closer.
Oh then set his sights on Major League Baseball (MLB), where he showcased his skills as both a closer and a setup man for the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Colorado Rockies. His MLB tenure yielded 16 wins, 13 losses, 42 saves, 45 holds, and a 3.31 ERA before he returned to Samsung Lions in 2019.
Since his comeback, Oh has played six seasons with Samsung Lions, amassing an impressive 549 saves across the KBO, MLB, and Japanese leagues. This season, he made 11 appearances for the first team, posting an 8.31 ERA without any decisions.
Through the organization, Oh stated that after careful consideration, he’s decided it’s time to retire. He added that he’s grateful for the opportunity to have pitched in various leagues throughout his career. Further, the overwhelming support he’s received over the years means everything, and he’ll carry that gratitude with him long after he’s thrown the last pitch.