SBS NEWS

LG Legends Lee Byung-kyu and Park Yong-taek Bid Farewell to Jamsil Stadium: "Such a Grateful Ballpark"


Add SBS News to Google preferred sources
Offline image - SBS News

▲ LG Twins' permanently retired uniform number legends, Lee Byung-kyu, LG Futures League manager (left), and commentator Park Yong-taek, are interviewed in the press box after throwing the ceremonial first pitches at the 2026 professional baseball game between the LG Twins and the Doosan Bears held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 7th. Today's game marks LG's final regular-season game at Jamsil Stadium.

LG Twins legends whose uniform numbers have been permanently retired—Lee Byung-kyu, LG Futures League manager, and commentator Park Yong-taek—expressed their bittersweet emotions and anticipation as they looked upon Jamsil Stadium, which will pass into history after this season.

After throwing the ceremonial first pitches at the 2026 KBO League game between the LG Twins and the Doosan Bears held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul today (the 7th), the two unanimously said, "It was truly a grateful ballpark."

Manager Lee Byung-kyu recalled, "I remember playing my first professional debut game at Jamsil in April 1997. It is sad to think that Jamsil Stadium is disappearing, but I am comforted by the thought that a great new ballpark will be built."

Commentator Park Yong-taek said, "I nurtured my dream of becoming a pro player while watching Jamsil Stadium since I was a child. Last night before falling asleep, I felt a tingling sensation deep in my heart."

Jamsil Stadium is a pitcher-friendly ballpark where the distance from home plate to the outfield wall is the longest among domestic stadiums, making it difficult to hit home runs.

Because of this, many hitters were reluctant to use Jamsil Stadium as their home field.

However, Manager Lee Byung-kyu noted, "Since it was a spacious ballpark, the distances between the fielders were wide, which was good. I even achieved the 30-home run, 30-stolen base record at Jamsil Stadium."

Commentator Park Yong-taek also stated, "During my playing days, my individual records at Jamsil Stadium were better than at away games. There was a sense of comfort that Jamsil Stadium provided."

Asked about his most memorable moment at Jamsil Stadium, Manager Lee Byung-kyu picked "my first at-bat and my last at-bat."

Commentator Park Yong-taek said, "I remember when our advancement to postseason baseball was confirmed after 11 years in the final game of the 2013 regular season. Everyone shed tears after the game that day, but looking back now, I wonder if securing a postseason berth in second place was really something to cry about."

He then added, "Recently, our younger LG players are hanging their heads even while finishing in third or fourth place, but on the other hand, it makes me think that 'LG has truly become a strong team' [that is not satisfied with just 3rd or 4th]. I ask them to show their best in the remaining games."

He also mentioned, "Lim Chan-kyu [the starting pitcher today] also started in my retirement game, and he became the winning pitcher back then. Since this is an important game, I hope they create a game that LG fans will remember for a lifetime."

Today's game marks the LG Twins' final regular-season game at Jamsil Stadium.

Jamsil Stadium will be demolished at the end of this season, and a new domed stadium will be built in its place.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

※

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
Copyright Ⓒ SBS & SBSi. All rights reserved.
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.
Pyeon Gwanghyeon View More Articles
AD
AD
AD
AD