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Kia fan Kang Sung-koo, who caught and donated home run ball No. 468 to Choi Jeong-jeong
SSG Landers slugger Choi Jung (37) breaks the record for most career home runs The spectator who caught the ball was neither an SSG fan nor a Lotte Giants fan.
Choi's record-breaking ball went into the glove of Kia Tigers fan Kang Sung-koo.
Choi started the game against the Lotte Giants of the 2024 Shinhan Sol Bank KBO League at Sajik Stadium in Busan on April 24, batting third and hitting a solo home run to left field off Lotte starter Lee In-bok in the top of the fifth inning.
With SSG trailing 4-7 in the top of the fifth inning, Choi came to bat with the bases loaded and no outs, and when Lee In-bok's first-pitch slider was a wild pitch in the middle of the strike zone, Choi pulled it over the left-field wall.
The crowd was buzzing with anticipation for Choi to break the record for most career home runs. Every time Choi stepped to the plate, the crowd gathered in the left-field bleachers, where he has hit the most home runs.
The moment Choi's pitch sailed over the plate, the crowd rushed toward the ball. Among them was Kang Sung-koo, who caught the historic ball.
Born in 1986, the office worker originally lives in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, but has been working in Busan since late last year. He came to the stadium when he realized that Choi was going to try to break the record for the most home runs in a career.
Mr. Kang graciously donated the memorial ball to Choi, who was able to hold it in his arms.
In an interview after the game, Kang Sung-koo said, “I have been working in Busan since November last year for a company project. A senior member of my company asked me if there was a game in Sajik, so I checked and found out that the opposing team was SSG.” ‘Choi Jung-jeong was challenging the record for the most home runs in his career, so I went to the stadium myself.’
Mr. Kang Sung-koo said, “I sat where my baseball buddy told me to sit. I chose the seats because Choi Jung hit a lot of home runs in that direction,” he said.
When asked if he had a good dream, Kang said, “I didn't have a good dream. I picked up a tissue like Shohei Ohtani did, and it seems like good luck came to me.”
“I thought I couldn't catch the ball because it was low, but it was in my glove. My hand hurt the moment I caught it, but I felt so good that I forgot about the pain. It was like a dream,” he said.
“I play left field for a social baseball team called the Yeongrak Eternals,” said Kang Sung-koo, who loves watching and playing baseball. It's worthwhile to play social baseball,” he smiled.
When Choi was close to breaking the record for the most home runs in a career, SSG announced that they would offer a 'big benefit' for donating a home run ball.
In return for donating the home run ball, Mr. Kang Sung-koo receives a gift worth 15 million won.
He will receive two 2024-2025 Live Zone season tickets, a bat autographed by Choi Jung, a large logo ball signed by the team, and two tickets to participate in SSG's spring training tour in 2025.
They will also receive an E-Mart online gift certificate worth KRW 1.4 million, a free Starbucks drink for one year, a KRW 750,000 accommodation voucher for Chosun Hotel, and a KRW 500,000 gift certificate for SSG.com.
“My younger brother is an SSG fan,” said Kang Sung-koo, a Kia fan. I'll think about whether to give the season ticket to him. I'll think about it later,” he said, emphasizing, ‘I was greedy for a Starbucks drink voucher, and I thought I'd donate it if I caught the ball.’
Kang Sung-koo said, “KIA will win the championship this year. I hope that Kim Do-young will be as good as Choi Jeong,” and ended the interview by cheering for KIA.