Song Eun-beom lifted the championship trophy three times with SK during his active career (Photo = SSG)
[스포츠춘추]
“It would be a lie if I said I had no regrets about active duty. But now I think I have to make a decision.”
Veteran pitcher Song Eun-beom is hanging up his gloves and retiring from active duty. This is a decision I made after leaving 21 years of professional life behind.
Born in 1984, right-hander Song Eun-beom graduated from Dongsan Middle and Dongsan High School and entered the professional world after being selected in the first round by the SK Wyverns (predecessor of SSG Landers) in the rookie draft KBO 2003. After that, he played for a total of 21 seasons with the KIA Tigers, Hanwha Eagles, and LG Twins, and pitched 1,454 innings in 680 games (194 starts), recording 88 wins, 95 losses, 57 shutouts, 27 saves, and one ERA of 4.57.
Song Eun-beom, who showed all-around performance in the professional ranks as a starter, middle, and finisher, experienced the Korea Series championship three times (2007, 2008, 2010) during his time with SK. After that, at Hanwha, he made a great comeback as an ‘iron-walled bullpen’ pitcher, using his new weapon, a two-seam fastball, and enjoyed his second prime.
Song Eun-beom, who joined LG in a one-on-one trade with Shin Jeong-rak during the 2019 season, played in LG uniforms for five seasons until last year. In the 2020 season, he played a vital role in the bullpen with 4 wins, 2 saves, 6 shutouts, and a 4.50 ERA in 56 games, but his appearances in games gradually decreased due to a knee injury. Last season, he pitched just 3.2 innings in 4 first team games.
Eun-beom’s song remember this time. “When we talk about pitches having a ‘major injury’, it’s usually to the arm.”He said “In my case, my arms have never hurt so much, but a problem arose in my knees that I never expected.”He said in a quiet voice. Following “I had my first major operation before my 38-year-old season, and the speed of recovery was different (as I got older). “I feel very sad because I worked hard over the last two years.”He said.
After the end of the 2023 season, LG ruled Song Eun-beom out of full strength. Song Eun-beom, who still had a strong will to extend his playing career, knocked on the doors of several clubs, including receiving an offer. But I didn’t get the results I wanted.
“I have been confident in my physical condition since last year (2023). However, I think the clubs are very concerned about my age, turning 40 this year.” These are the thoughts of Song Eun-beom, who decided to retire after much deliberation.
Meanwhile “The term ‘retired from active duty’ still doesn’t feel real.”Song Eun-beom smiled and said, “I am so grateful to everyone, from those who have watched me since I was young to those who have supported me unwaveringly when my grades were good and when they were bad.”He emphasized.
Finally, Eun-beom’s Song “I haven’t decided on a career path after retirement, but I’m also considering auditioning for the baseball entertainment program ‘Best Baseball.'”He said, revealing his continued passion for baseball. Eunbeom’s song “I want to throw more from the mound. “I hope I can greet my fans again in some way.”He said.
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