Professional baseball player Kim Kang-min of SSG Landers held his retirement ceremony, stepping onto the field for the last time as an active player.

On the 28th, Kim Kang-min was selected as the starting center fielder for the game against Hanwha Eagles in the '2025 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League' held at Incheon SSG Landers Field. Although he had already retired from active play, he was able to step onto the field by being registered in the special roster for the retirement game.

Kim Kang-min, who joined SK (now SSG) as a second-round (18th overall) pick in the 2001 rookie draft, recorded a career batting average of .273 over 1,960 games in the KBO League, with 1,487 hits (5,440 at-bats), 139 home runs, 681 runs batted in, 810 runs scored, and 209 stolen bases for an OPS of .748. He was known for his outstanding defense and was nicknamed 'Beast', also showcasing a strong performance in the postseason. In the 2022 Korean Series, he recorded a batting average of .375 (3 hits in 8 at-bats), with 2 home runs, 5 runs batted in, and 3 runs scored over 5 games, winning the Korean Series MVP. He played for SSG until 2023 and spent a year with Hanwha in 2024. He declared his retirement from active play following last season.

Before the game started, Kim Kang-min stepped onto the outfield as a center fielder and was substituted by Choi Ji-hoon at the beginning of the first inning, finishing the game. Choi Ji-hoon congratulated Kim Kang-min, who stepped onto the field for the last time, with a hug.

After the game, a grand retirement ceremony for Kim Kang-min was held. The ceremony began with a performance reenacting Kim Kang-min's game-winning home run in Game 5 of the 2022 Korean Series, where he won the MVP award, and continued with congratulatory videos from his teammates who shared in his five Korean Series championships (2007, 2008, 2010, 2018, 2022). SSG coaches Lee Seung-ho and Jo Dong-hwa, Chungwoon University coach Chae Byeong-yong, SSG's second team coach Park Jeong-kwon, and SSG's players Choi Jeong and Kim Gwang-hyun sincerely congratulated Kim Kang-min in his farewell.

In his retirement speech, Kim Kang-min said, "I think I won't be able to shed any more tears after crying a little while ago. I am grateful to the fans who came to my retirement ceremony. Although it was a short time, I thank you for the love you gave me while I was with Hanwha Eagles. I want to express my gratitude once again to the Landers fans in Incheon who waited for my retirement ceremony."

"I am Kim Kang-min, who wants to be remembered forever as the Beast of SSG Landers," he began his final words. "During my three years as a player, I often wondered if I would ever receive the wonderful gift of a retirement ceremony when I stopped playing baseball. Like most players, I experienced slumps, but thanks to the support and love from the fans who believed in me and waited, I was able to realize my dream today. Incheon and Landers Field feel more like home to me than my birthplace. I was happy to be here with my beloved fans and respected fellow players. Winning the Korean Series five times together is a pride in my life. The memories I shared with everyone who looked in the same direction and united in heart are in my heart. I want to greet everyone I shared that time with," he said.

Preparing for his second life after retiring from active play, Kim Kang-min said, "I am no longer a player. And from now on, I will pass on what I have received as a player to others. If the juniors I love and other juniors pass on love to their juniors, the time of the Landers will be eternal. I promise to keep my passion for baseball and work hard to fulfill a role that contributes to the team in the remaining years of my life."

"I sincerely thank all the fans," Kim Kang-min said, bowing his head once again. "I thank the club officials who prepared my retirement ceremony. I am also grateful to my family. I ask for the unconditional love and support for the Landers players. I will become Kim Kang-min, living fiercely like a beast, so that I can remain a good memory in the hearts of Incheon baseball fans," he said in his final remarks.

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