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KIA fan catches Busan Seo Choi's 'No. 468' home run ball
Choi Jung-jeong (37-SSG Landers) was lucky enough to catch the KBO's longest home run hit by Kia Tigers fan Kang Sung-koo (38).
While watching the SSG-Lotte Giants game of the 2024 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League at Sajik Stadium in Busan on April 24, Kang caught Choi's home run in the top of the fifth inning with his glove.
This home run made KBO history. With his 468th career home run, Choi became the KBO's all-time leader in career home runs, surpassing Doosan Bears manager Lee Seung-yeop, who hit 467 home runs in his career.
The historic ball is back in the best hands, as Kang graciously donated it to SSG.
Mr. Kang, a Seoul-based office worker, is currently working in Busan for a company project. An avid Kia fan, he visited the stadium that day because a senior in his company asked him to check out Lotte's home game schedule.
“I didn't have a particularly good dream, but I picked up some tissues like Shohei Otani (who picks up other people's trash to pick up luck), and I think good energy came to me,” Kang laughs.
“I saw that Choi Jung was challenging for the record for the most home runs, so I analyzed the direction of his home run and bought tickets for seats under the Rocket Battery Zone in the outfield, and the direction of the home run was exactly right.” “I thought I couldn't catch the ball, but when I saw that I caught it in one motion with my glove, I felt like I was dreaming,” he said. I usually play social baseball, and it was a great experience.”
Kang received a gift worth 15 million won for donating the home run ball. For catching the historic ball, the SSG organization will provide Kang with two 2024-2025 Live Zone season tickets, an autographed bat and large logo ball signed by Choi Jeong-jeong, two tickets to participate in the 2025 spring training tour, an E-Mart online gift certificate (1.4 million won), a free Starbucks drink for one year, an overnight stay at Chosun Hotel, and an SSG.com gift certificate (500,000 won).
“When I saw the free Starbucks voucher for a year, I gladly donated the home run ball. My brother is an SSG fan, so I plan to give him season tickets and other SSG-related gifts,” he said.
Finally, Kang said, “I was heartbroken and sorry that Choi couldn't play (after being hit in the side by a ball in a game against KIA on the 17th),” adding, “I hope KIA wins the championship this season, not SSG.”