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[Sports Seoul | Gocheok = Lee So-young] “I want players to understand how precious every at-bat and every game is.”
Park Byung-ho, 40, who has moved from “legend” to a hands-on role with the team, offered that message to the Kiwoom roster. Drawing on his own journey, he urged players not to leave anything to regret.
Kiwoom held Park’s retirement ceremony April 26 at Gocheok Sky Dome during the game against Samsung. After wrapping up his playing career with Samsung last season, Park returned to his former club and joined Kiwoom as a senior coach for the reserve squad, focusing on player development. As of April 27, Kiwoom sits ninth at 10–15.
The ceremony resonated because Park knows what it’s like to be a supporting player. He began his pro career with LG in 2005 and didn’t break out immediately. After a quiet start, he became the first player in KBO history to hit 50 home runs in back-to-back seasons and emerged as one of the league’s premier sluggers.
Kiwoom holds a special place for Park — he made his career leap there during the Nexen years. “If you ask what the Heroes mean to me, it’s the same as asking, ‘What is baseball to Park Byung-ho?’” he said. “I came to Kiwoom at a low point and made a name for myself. It’s hard to sum up in one line, but it’s a team full of precious memories.”
Coaching has given him a new kind of reward. “From the moment I took the job, my direction was clear,” he said. “When reserve players earn promotion to the second team, I want to see them succeed. If they take the initiative to film themselves and send me videos, it makes me want to help them get better.” He emphasized that encouragement can be more effective than pressure.
He also reflected on his own struggles as a young player. “I went through tough times early on, and reserve players are probably facing similar challenges,” Park said. “No one knows how things will turn out. Another team might notice you and give you a chance. Try everything you can, and at least don’t leave yourself with regrets.”
His message was aimed at the entire roster, not just the reserves. Despite winning six of their last 10 games and showing an uptick, Kiwoom’s team batting average sits at 0.239, 10th in the league. Park acknowledged the challenge of a young roster: “With so many young players leading the way, game management can be difficult even for veterans. Still, I trust the veterans will guide the youngsters. That’s how the team gets stronger.”
He also warned young players against taking opportunities for granted. “I hope they truly feel how valuable every at-bat and every game is,” he said. “Some pitchers will still be a handful, but see those matchups as experience and do everything you can to close the gap as quickly as possible.” sshong@sportsseoul.com
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