Kang-min Kim leaves the field.

Professional baseball team SSG Landers announced on the 17th, "We will hold a retirement ceremony for KBO Power Reinforcement Committee member Kang-min Kim during the home game against Hanwha Eagles at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 28th."

The retirement ceremony is themed 'Remember the Beast' to honor Kang-min Kim's dedication and journey, who was the oldest MVP in the 2022 Korean Series and contributed to SSG's five Korean Series championships over his 23 seasons in Incheon. The team plans to have a meaningful time reflecting on Kang-min Kim's baseball life together with fans.

SSG players will wear special uniforms featuring Kang-min's jersey number '0' during the game. This uniform will be sold at 'Landers Shop by Hyungji' on the day of the retirement ceremony, and if sold out, pre-orders will also be available.

On that day, LED light sticks and keyring sets inscribed with the phrase 'Remember the Beast' (a total of 23,000 items) will be given to the spectators. The giveaway items can only be collected when entering through the Frontier, Legend, Starbucks, Skybox, Gate 1, Gate 3, and Gate 7. The tickets for that day will also be distributed in a special design symbolizing Kang-min Kim.

As a pre-event, a 'Painting the Beast' event will be held through the team's Instagram, capturing fans' memories and support. Selected 50 individuals will receive tickets for a fan signing event and 'Woosuk Zone' on the day of the retirement ceremony, with an additional retirement commemorative uniform for the top 5. The award-winning works will be exhibited on the big board on the day of the retirement ceremony.

Various fan participation events will also be prepared on-site. At Frontier Square, a 'banner making' booth will be operated, and Kang-min Kim will directly appear on 'Visible Landfill Radio' to hear fan stories and engage in conversation. The 'L Road' leading from Munhak Stadium Station on Incheon Subway Line 1 to Incheon SSG Landers Field will be decorated as 'Beast Road' to highlight Kang-min's records and footprints.

The 'Home Run Couple Zone,' closest to Kang-min Kim's center field position, will be operated as 'Remember the Beast Zone' on that day, and tickets will include a limited edition MD package containing cheer towels, free-size T-shirts, hairbands, and fingerless gloves. Additionally, a 'Beast Parade' will take place with fans wearing Kang-min Kim uniforms, and a 'Beast Road' where fans can high-five with players.

The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Kang-min's eldest daughter, Nay-gyeol Kim, while his second daughter, Min-gyeol Kim, and third daughter, Ri-an Kim, will perform the ceremonial first bat, adding a warm sentiment to their father's final stage.

During the game, a 'retirement commemorative live broadcast' will be streamed live on the team's YouTube channel 'SSG Tube.' The host and guests, along with Kang-min Kim himself, will share episodes from his playing days and reflect on his baseball career. Guests will include fellow teammates such as Byung-yong Chae, Hee-sang Yoon, and Tae-hoon Kim, who won championships together in the past.

After the game, the full retirement ceremony will take place. It will begin with the screening of a retirement commemorative video, followed by a performance where Kang-min Kim reenacts his walk-off home run from Game 5 of the 2022 Korean Series upon entering. Subsequently, the club's official sponsor, Dynafit, will hold a sports equipment donation ceremony for the second team players along with various commemorative gifts.

After the retirement announcement, the SSG players will congratulate Kang-min Kim with a celebration, and in the 'After Party' segment, he will say farewell to fans. The 'After Party' will start with a live performance by singer Ki-young Park, who is the original artist of Kang-min's theme song 'Butterfly', followed by an interview with the stadium announcer where Kang-min Kim will express his genuine retirement thoughts.

Finally, Kang-min Kim's cheer song will resonate through Incheon SSG Landers Field, and he will enjoy the fireworks festival with fans, beautifully concluding his 23-year sporting career.

[OSEN]