Professional baseball player Kim Kwang-hyun (37) of the SSG Landers spoke about the significance of his challenge to achieve 200 wins.

SSG announced on the 13th that it has signed a multi-year contract with the franchise star and veteran left-handed ace Kim Kwang-hyun for a total of 3.6 billion won over two years (annual salary of 3 billion won and an option of 600 million won).

Kim Kwang-hyun, who joined SSG (then SK) as the first overall pick in the 2007 rookie draft, is a franchise star who has recorded 174 wins, 104 losses, and 2 holds with a 3.35 earned run average over 400 career games (2,249 innings) in the KBO League. In 2020 and 2021, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball, appearing in 35 games (145 and two-thirds innings) with 10 wins, 7 losses, and 2 saves, holding a 2.97 earned run average.

Kim Kwang-hyun, who was expected to obtain free agent (FA) status after this season, decided to sign a contract extension with SSG early instead of entering the FA market. Kim Kwang-hyun noted, "By taking a break this time, I was able to have conversations with the organization and build a consensus, which led to the contract. Since I turned professional at a young age, I had two major goals when I started playing baseball: the first was to play baseball for 20 years, and the second was to achieve the record that my senior Song Jin-woo set by surpassing 200 wins, as it held great significance for me. I thought returning from the U.S. would help me realize how many years it would take to achieve 200 wins. Thanks to the club’s consideration, I was able to secure a good contract," he shared his thoughts on signing the contract.

Aiming for 200 wins, Kim Kwang-hyun now needs to add 16 more wins to achieve that milestone. If he can maintain a spot in the starting rotation during the contract period, it is a number he can realistically reach. Kim Kwang-hyun said, "Since returning from the United States, 200 wins have always been on my mind. (Adam) Wainwright, who played together in St. Louis, retired right after hitting 200 wins. Rather than being evaluated by the market, I want to earn 200 wins with this team and be reassessed once again as I continue to accumulate victories."

The all-time wins record in the KBO League is held by Song Jin-woo, with 210 wins. Following him are Yang Hyun-jong (KIA, 183 wins) in second place, and Kim Kwang-hyun in third. Both Yang Hyun-jong and Kim Kwang-hyun are active pitchers, and there is widespread anticipation that the record, which has remained unbroken for 16 years since Song Jin-woo reached 210 wins in 2009, will eventually be surpassed.

Kim Kwang-hyun, who is also challenging for 200 wins alongside Yang Hyun-jong, expressed, "I hope we both do well. Now we are comrades moving towards the significant goal of 200 wins together. It doesn't really matter who reaches it first; our goal is to achieve 200 wins and reach the highest wins in Korea together. I hope Hyun-jong does well, and I will do my best in each game. Now, I am also in a role to support my juniors and help the team as well."

Kim Kwang-hyun has 16 wins remaining to reach 200 and 26 wins to reach 210. He stated, "I think it’s still far since I have about 20 to 30 wins left. It's quite far away, but I think I might be able to get it by giving my best in each game. When I first turned professional, I didn't even think about catching up to my senior Song Jin-woo's record. Now, I have to work harder."

"Winning doesn't just depend on how well the starting pitcher performs; you need support from defense, batting, and the bullpen," Kim Kwang-hyun remarked. He recalled, "The memory of my first win is still vivid. I pitched six innings in Gwangju and got my first victory. I cannot explain how nervous I was during the remaining three innings." He then laughed, adding, "But even now, I feel the same. Up until about three or four years ago, after finishing a game, I felt relaxed as long as the team didn’t lose the lead. But these days, I get very nervous. That’s just how I feel. A desire for victory has arisen in me."

After being removed from the first-team roster on the 4th to rest, Kim Kwang-hyun will start in the game aligned with the retirement ceremony of Choo Shin-soo taking place on the 14th. He said, "It’s quite burdensome. I have never started in a game during someone else's retirement ceremony. I’ve experienced the Korean Series, played for the national team, and participated in opening games, but this will be my first time for a retirement ceremony. I am at an age where I know everything, so I will pitch with that burden in mind," he said with a smile.

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