Jung Woo-ram of Hanwha, who walked out of the bullpen, which he was used to although he was a starter, was the last
It was his first starting game in 18 years since his debut as a pro player, and his last active game. Jung Woo-ram (39) of the Hanwha Eagles delivered his last greetings to his fans in Daejeon on Sunday. Fans who filled the stadium stood up and applauded.
Jung Woo-ram played his last game as an active player. He announced his retirement on the 15th and set a retirement ceremony on the same day. Having only focused on guiding players in the second division without playing in the first division this season, Jung was listed as a special entry for his last appearance, and took the mound as a starting pitcher for the first time in 1,005 games in the professional league. It was the consideration and courtesy of the club to say goodbye in a cool way.
Jung Woo-ram slowly walked out of the bullpen, not the dugout. The most familiar place in his career was the bullpen, and the place symbolizing Jung Woo-ram was also the bullpen. Fans shouted Jung Woo-ram’s name as he stood on the mound and prepared to throw the ball.
Jung had a hit to the right at the fourth pitch against NC`s No. 1 hitter Choi Jeong-won. Jung smiled and slowly walked off the mound. He decided to face only one batter even before the game. All of Hanwha’s infielders gathered at the mound to embrace the departing senior. A de facto starting pitcher, Jaime Barria, also bowed his head to honor the veteran.
Jung Woo-ram took off his cap and greeted his Daejeon fans. Cheers burst once again. He did not shed tears until the end. In a pre-match press conference, Jung said, “I haven’t been able to make my fans laugh for nine years in Daejeon. I feel like I am going only with love. That is the most regrettable thing.” He said he shed tears that he endured. He said he shed tears while preparing for his retirement speech in the morning. However, Jung vowed that he would not cry at the game. He would cry after the game is over.
Players from the dugout also lined up to greet Jung Woo-ram. Ryu stood in the front row and patted his senior on the back. After hugging the coaching staff including manager Kim Kyung-moon, Jung Woo-ram escaped to the back of the dugout.
Jung Woo-ram made his debut with the SK Wyverns in 2004. He played as the centerpiece of the “SK Dynasty” bullpen, and won three Korean Series titles during the 12 years leading up to the 2015 season. Jung has continued to play since moving to Hanwha in 2016. He played as a bullpen pitcher, saying that he is the hardest to run for a long time, but he has been more consistent than anyone else. It would have been impossible without thorough self-management. On Oct. 2 last year, Jung finally won a gold medal for 1,000 games as a pitcher. This is an area that no pitcher has reached since the first year of the KBO in 1982. During his 18 years as a pro, Jung had an ERA of 3.18 with 64 wins, 47 losses and 197 saves with 145 holds.
For Hanwha fans, it was a day of farewell. It was the day when the last game of the 2024 season was hotter than ever before, and the day when the last game was held at Daejeon Stadium, which has 39 years of memories. Hanwha has used Daejeon Stadium as its home ground since its predecessor Binggrae was founded in 1986. A new stadium will open next year. 메이저사이트
Above all, it was Jung Woo-ram’s last day as a pro baseball player. Banners were put up at inside and outside the stadium, including the wall of the main gate of Daejeon Stadium, to announce farewell to him. Fans gathered all 12,000 seats in the 2024 season, Daejeon Stadium, and Jung Woo-ram’s last concert. It was Hanwha’s 47th sellout of the season.