GWANGJU, Sept. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — After announcing his plan to call it quits after this season on Aug. 6, Samsung Lions closer Oh Seung-hwan has been on the retirement tour across the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), with opposing clubs presenting him with parting gifts at Oh’s final visit in their home cities.
The latest leg of Oh’s farewell tour saw him visit Gwangju, 270 kilometers south of Seoul, for a road game against the Kia Tigers. And the 43-year-old has some fond memories of pitching against them.
Oh, tops in KBO history with 427 saves, recorded his 100th, 200th and 300th saves against the Tigers — two of them in Gwangju.
“It just happens that I had some milestone saves against this team. Maybe I should thank them for those moments,” Oh said with a smile after an on-field ceremony at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field. “Being on this tour has given me an opportunity to reflect on these road stadiums and cities. And the more I do it, the more I realize I am really about to retire.”
Widely considered the greatest closer in KBO’s 43-year history, Oh has spent his entire 15-year career in South Korea with the Lions. He also pitched for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan from 2014 to 2015, collecting 80 saves, and then added 42 saves for the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies from 2016 to 2019.
The Tigers gave Oh a framed Kia jersey signed by all of their players. Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho, who faced Oh during his playing career, met the pitcher behind the home plate and gave him a bouquet of flowers. Tigers veteran Choi Hyoung-woo, who played with Oh for the Lions from 2008 to 2013, prepared a personalized plaque on his own.
Oh, who gave the Tigers a blue glove that he signed, said he managed to hold back tears after receiving the plaque but Choi became emotional.
“I was so touched by all of this,” Oh said. “For them to recognize my career and celebrate my retirement this way, I am really grateful.
Samsung Lions pitcher Oh Seug-hwan (C) is flanked by Kia Tigers outfielder Na Sung-bum (L) and catcher Kim Tae-gun at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 270 kilometers south of Seoul, on Sept. 10, 2025, during an on-field celebration of Oh’s retirement from the Korea Baseball Organization. Photo courtesy of the Tigers. (Yonhap)
Oh said he has “so much respect” for Choi, who is having a productive season at age 41. Before Wednesday’s game, Choi was batting .304, his highest mark since 2020, along with 21 home runs and 78 RBIs. He is sixth in the KBO with a .921 on-base plus slugging.
“I think Kia players should feel thankful having a teammate like that. I hope they will learn as much as they can from this legendary player,” Oh said. “Considering how well he takes care of himself, I think he can play for another four or five years. I first saw him when he didn’t really have a spot on the team, and for him to come this far is truly remarkable.”
Oh hasn’t yet said what he will do in his post-playing career.
“I haven’t planned anything and I haven’t had time to make plans,” said Oh, who has been traveling with the Lions even though he hasn’t pitched since July 8. “Maybe I will sleep in the first day after the season.”
Oh did say the one thing he’d like to do is to travel to different cities in Japan and North America that he’d only visited as a player.
“I’ve been fortunate to check out many different places while playing in different leagues, but I only got to see the hotel and the ballpark,” he said. “If I have a chance, I may even watch some baseball games from the stands as a spectator.”
Throughout his career, Oh has been known for his tireless work ethic. And working out and throwing have been so ingrained in his system that Oh cannot picture himself not doing it just because he has retired from professional baseball.
“I think I will continue to pitch and exercise after retiring. Otherwise, I will have nothing else to do and I will feel pretty down,” Oh said with a smile. “I’ve been feeling so comfortable mentally lately, and I think it’s helped me get into some good physical form, too.”
To that end, Oh is preparing to make one final appearance for the Lions on Sept. 30. With the Lions in the thick of a battle for a postseason spot, Oh said he wants to make sure his outing won’t go to waste.
“I know people have been wondering if I will really be able to pitch at this point in the season, but I’ve been working really hard,” Oh said. “When the opportunity presents itself, I want to be able to help the team.”
(Yonhap)
