“Just thinking about it makes me think, ‘Wow!’
‘The best left-handed pitcher’ of an era. Announced the disappointing news of his departure.
Doosan Bears announced the retirement of Jang Won-jun (38) on the 28th.
Jang Won-jun, who graduated from Busan High School, joined the Lotte Giants as a first-round pick in 2004. Although it is not a fastball of 150 km per hour that overwhelms his opponents, he has quickly grown into a top left-handed starter thanks to his skillful game management based on stable ball control.
Starting with 12 wins in 2008, he achieved double-digit wins for 8 consecutive years, excluding his time with the Police Baseball Team (2012-2013), making him a name synonymous with consistency.
Jang Won-jun was also an ‘icon of human victory’. After winning 14 games in 2017, injuries and sluggishness continued in 2018, resulting in only 3 wins. His career wins clock stopped at 129 wins.
Only 1 win out of 130 wins.
Jang Won-jun, who had been earning double-digit wins every year, needed five years to achieve that one win. He failed to score a win from 2019 to 2022, ultimately putting him on the verge of retirement.
When the club was thinking about release and retirement, Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop, who took the helm ahead of the 2023 season, expressed his desire to give him one last chance. A difficult opportunity to seize. Jang Won-jun prepared as a starting pitcher in the Futures League, and eventually succeeded in achieving 130 wins for the 11th time in his history while faithfully serving as a substitute starter this season. 3 wins, 5 losses, 5.27 ERA in 11 games.
Jang Won-jun, who appeared in the final game of the regular season when the team rankings were decided, pitched 4⅓ innings and became the 9th player in history to reach the 2,000-inning record.
Jang Won-jun’s ‘baseball life’ also changed the thinking of the KBO League.
Until Jang Won-Jun, the prevailing thought was that it was difficult for starting pitcher free agency to succeed. It took him at least eight years to become eligible for free agency, and 10 years had to pass since he joined the team, including military service. However, Jang Won-jun signed a four-year contract with Doosan for a total of 8.4 billion won ahead of the 2015 season, and won 12 games in the first year, helping Doosan win the Korean Series. In 2016, he won 15 games and became the leading player in the combined championship.
The protagonist of a great record worthy of being called a ‘legend.’ A grand retirement ceremony seems natural.먹튀검증
However, Jang Won-jun’s retirement ceremony may not be held.
This is because Jang Won-Jun himself is giving himself up to the utmost. I’m worried because he won’t open it, but even if he does, he doesn’t like it. Why.
Owner of a quiet introverted personality. He is burdened by receiving too much attention and attention.
Although he continued pitching courageously in front of a packed crowd, he honestly confessed his feelings, saying, “It’s hard when my personality gets noticed. As a player, I focus on the game, but the thought of speaking in front of so many people makes me want to run away.”
As Jang Won-Jun’s will is firm, he cannot force the club.
However, since he was the best pitcher in the KBO league, he will have plenty to talk about.
The Doosan club said, “The player’s own opinion is important. We will discuss this.” Some players also expressed their wish for Jang Won-jun to have a retirement ceremony.
As if to clearly show his personality, the image he wanted to be remembered for was also simple. Jang Won-jun said, “Rather than being the best player, I want to be remembered as a player who did his best in each and every game in his position.”