Will Jung Hae-young, the youngest closing pitcher of the Kia Tigers, be able to stand tall as the hero who can finish off the V12? The moment when the team is confirmed to win the championship in the annual Korean Series remains an eternal record. There were many situations when the closing pitcher finished the game in most cases. Jung also portrays such a hero ending.
After holding the finishing position for four consecutive seasons, Jung has made 30 saves this season for the first time in two years. Jung took the mound in 53 games (50.2 innings) in the 2024 Shinhan Sol Bank KBO League, recording 2 wins and 3 losses with 31 saves and one hold, an ERA of 2.49, 50 strikeouts, and WHIP of 1.24.
As Oh Seung-hwan (Samsung Lions, 27 saves in the season), who was a leading contender for the save king, fell into a slump in the second half of the season, Jung Hae-young confirmed the save king as the only closing pitcher for the season with 30 saves. Jung Hae-young succeeded in improving her speed by studying at the U.S. drive line in the off-season last winter. Although there was a time to rest for a while due to shoulder pain in the middle of the season, Jung Hae-young recovered her physical condition and secured the back door again at the end of the second half.
Jeong Hae-young, who recently met with Expots News in Gwangju, said, “It’s the best year to lose the injury, and that injury remains a great regret. I should have managed it when I needed to manage it a little faster, but the risk of enduring it with responsibility was too great. After visiting the U.S. last winter, I succeeded in improving my speed, but it hurt in the end because it was an exercise with a risk of injury. Looking back on this part again, I think we need to prepare well for next season.”
KIA teams will have to prepare for the Korean Series for a whopping four weeks. Above all, it will be a more delicious break for pitchers who need to throw their all-out throws in a short period of time.
“Each 롤토토 year, I have only had recovery training at this time, but I feel that preparing for games is different,” Jung said. “When I watch other teams’ postseason games, they all throw and hit well. I also want to hurry up and throw the ball to the mound and enjoy the game,” Jung said. “I am worried about the sense of the game, but it is true that having a good rest is certainly advantageous. Of course, no matter how strong I am, I feel that it is necessary to have a hard time depending on the situation. I try to throw more carefully because my ball can completely change the mood.”
Following the footsteps of his father Jeong Hoe-yeol, Jeong dreams of winning the 父 Tigers title. When he was an active catcher for the Haitai Tigers in 1993, Jeong wore the Korean Series title ring.
“When I asked my dad and others around me, they told me that the Korean Series is fun. But I’m in a position where I have to stop him (laughs). When I feel it in person, I can tell how much pressure he feels. I don’t feel any pressure already,” Jung said. “Of course, I desperately want to succeed my dad and win the title as a rich Tigers player. I should not be alone, and only when all the team members unite to win the title.”
One of the closer’s dreams is to stand on the mound at the last minute to clinch the Korean Series title. Jung Hae-young is also drawing such a hero ending.
“I really want to try standing on the mound as the closing pitcher as soon as I confirm my victory. I wonder how he would feel and feel. It will be all the more meaningful because it will remain as a video forever,” Jung said. “This year is a golden opportunity for KIA fans to cheer for the Korean Series. While other teams’ postseason games are heating up, I believe KIA fans are showing a different level of support. I can’t wait to feel the passion of the fans.”