Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on June 13. LG Twins second baseman Shin Min-jae catches a line drive hit by the KT Wiz first baseman in the fifth game of the Korean Baseball Organization’s (KBO) best-of-seven series. As the final out was recorded, the LG players, coaching staff, and fans enjoyed the moment of victory. LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, who watched the game from the headquarters seats, raised his arms in the air and cheered with everyone in attendance.
The LG Twins have won the Korean Series for the first time in 29 years. With a 6-2 victory over KT in Game 5 of the Korean Series, LG clinched the title with a 4-1 series victory in Games 2-5 after losing Game 1. It was their first Korean Series title in 29 years, since 1994. It’s been 29 years since Gangsan changed hands nearly three times. Still, the moment of victory was exhilarating. The LG players celebrated the victory by spraying snowflakes they had prepared, and the LG fans at Jamsil Stadium created a festive atmosphere by cheering and wearing glossy jumpers, a symbol of fall baseball.
For LG, it was the end of a 29-year drought. After acquiring MBC Cheongryong in 1990 and winning the Korean Series that year, LG won the combined regular season and Korean Series title in 1994. However, it would be a long time before they were crowned champions again. They made it to the Korean Series in 1997, 1998, and 2002, but had to settle for runner-up honors.
After finishing the regular season in first place (86 wins, 56 losses, and 2 draws), LG went straight to the Korean Series for the first time in 29 years. After falling to KT 3-2 in Game 1, LG bounced back in Game 2. After winning 5-4 on Park Dong-won’s come-from-behind two-run homer in Game 3, LG bounced back to win 8-7 on Oh Ji-hwan’s game-winning three-run homer in Game 4. After a 15-4 victory in game four, LG clinched the title in game five. In Game 5, LG broke the 0-0 tie in the bottom of the third inning. With runners on first and second, Park Hae-min hit a two-run double down the right field line. After scoring on Kim Hyun-soo’s grounder, Park also made a diving catch on Kim Min-hyuk’s fly ball with runners on second and third in the top of the fourth inning.
On the mound, LG starter Casey Kelly pitched five innings of five-hit ball, striking out three and walking one to earn the win.
A gift from the late LG President Koo Bon-moo to the LG Twins has been “unsealed” after 29 years. Three barrels of Awamori shochu, an Okinawan specialty, were presented to the team in Okinawa, Japan, where they trained in early 1995, saying, “If we win again, let’s toast with this.” In addition, a Rolex watch worth 80 million won, which the late chairman said he would give to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Korean Series in 1998, found its owner after 25 years. LG Twins captain Oh Ji-hwan, who went 19-for-6 with three home runs and eight RBIs during the Korean Series, was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the series by journalists (80 out of 93 votes, or 86 percent of the votes cast) and won the Rolex watch.
LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo cheered and congratulated the LG Twins as they clinched the Korean Series title. He then joined the players in raising the Korean Series trophy and receiving a rinse. Koo Kwang-mo visited Game 1 and Games 4 and 5 of the Korean Series to showcase his family’s love of baseball.
“Dear LG Twins fans, the world’s most invincible team, the LG Twins have finally won the championship 안전놀이터 after 29 years,” Koo said, adding, “Today’s victory is the result of everyone here and everyone who loves LG.” “I hope you enjoy the joy of winning,” he continued. The 2023 champions are the LG Twins. Let’s go, LG Twins.”