"Lotte was like a parent, KT was like a marriage."
Shin Bon-gi (36) held his retirement ceremony before the first game of the doubleheader between the KT Wiz and the Lotte Giants at Suwon KT Wiz Park on 11th and took time to reflect on his 13-year professional career.
Shin Bon-gi, who graduated from Gyeongnam High School and Dong-A University, was drafted by the Lotte Giants as the 14th pick in the second round in 2012 and was a player who served as a role model for his juniors with his exceptional professionalism and dedication over 13 years. He navigated the field as a utility player capable of covering all infield positions.
Shin Bon-gi moved to Suwon through a trade in December 2020. The experienced multi-infielder became a significant asset for KT at that time. He excellently filled the void left by injured starters and participated in three games of the 2021 Korean Series, capturing his first championship ring.
After finishing the 2022 season, Shin Bon-gi finally obtained his first free agent (FA) status. He had a rough patch with a batting average in the .100s over 74 games, but in January 2023, he signed a contract with his original team, KT, for 1+1 years totaling 300 million won, and achieved a contract extension after a season in which he posted a batting average of .240 over 40 games.
Throughout his career, Shin Bon-gi was regarded as an icon of philanthropy, actively participating in donations and volunteer work. In 2017, he was selected as a recipient of the KBO League's Golden Glove for love.
Shin Bon-gi recorded a batting average of .247, with 541 hits, 260 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases over 1,000 games during his 12 seasons in the KBO. He announced his retirement after the 2024 season, concluding with a batting average of .279, 3 home runs, and 19 RBIs across 84 games.
The following is a Q&A with Shin Bon-gi during his retirement press conference.
How does it feel to come to Wiz Park in a suit?
I thought it would feel very awkward, but wearing this outfit while broadcasting in Sajik turned out to be less awkward than I expected.
What was on your mind when you came to the stadium?
I was doing commentary until late yesterday and left Busan early this morning to come up. While coming up, I recalled my professional career, and I truly felt that I was happy playing baseball. I have a great sense of gratitude toward the KT president, director general, head coach, and everyone involved who organized this retirement ceremony.
What was the background for holding the retirement ceremony?
I didn't expect it. Initially, I received a notification from KT that I was no longer a part of their plans and they said they would look for another team for me, and after contemplating a lot, I decided to retire. At that time, KT suggested holding a retirement ceremony. I felt like I hadn't performed enough to have a retirement ceremony, so I was very grateful that they wanted to hold one for me.
What's the most memorable moment of your career?
I remember the moment I first put on a professional baseball uniform. I recall playing fall baseball in 2017 while wearing a Lotte uniform, but the most memorable moment was winning the first championship in KT's inaugural year. The feeling of hitting a home run in Game 4 is still vivid.
What did you talk about with the Lotte players after hearing about your retirement ceremony?
(Former) Joon-woo asked me what I would do. I told them I hoped to have freedom, and then I said something on air that I couldn't say normally (laughs). After retiring, I remained close to the Lotte players due to my commentary, so there wasn't much of a reaction. I suggested that we should meet in Suwon.
What was the reaction of the KT players?
I feel a bit regretful that I seem to be retiring early, but that just shows that the depth of the KT player pool is strong. The younger players are growing well, so I think KT baseball will be even more exciting going forward. The players also expressed their congratulations, even though they felt regret.
What do Lotte and KT mean to you?
Having a retirement ceremony against Lotte, KT really took care of everything. Lotte is like my parents. I grew up in Busan and played baseball for the first time with Lotte. Then I came to KT through a trade, and I had many great, fun, and valuable experiences. I feel like I had a marriage with KT. Of course, retirement is not a divorce, but I have made many wonderful memories.
You have been noted for your philanthropy throughout your career, what do you think about that?
I don't think I did that much philanthropy. Other players do a lot even if it goes unnoticed. Still, I feel like I had a positive influence. It seems like a good thing I did during my player career. I didn't do philanthropy to gain anything. I had a lot of happiness when I engaged in volunteer work and donations. I want to continue it whenever I have the chance.
Besides being known as a philanthropist, how do you want fans to remember you?
I want to be remembered as a player who genuinely played and loved baseball. I think I haven't had a career that warranted a retirement ceremony, but I am still happy and thankful that I can remain in the memories of fans.
You joined the league after graduating and earned the nickname of basic skills. Please say a word to juniors dreaming of being the second Shin Bon-gi.
I never thought of myself as having outstanding athletic ability while playing baseball. I pondered what I could do well, and I wanted to be a player who worked harder and focused on basics more than others. I always thought that the team comes first while playing baseball, which has brought me to this point. There were moments when I wanted to quit baseball, but at those times, my parents, wife, and children gave me strength. The support from the fans was also huge.
A message of thanks to the fans.
Thank you so much for cheering and clapping for me, whether I did well or not. Thanks to you, I was able to have a truly great 13 years of professional life. I will cherish the memories at the baseball field for a lifetime. If able, I want to be with the fans again in the future.
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