토토사이트 Every time he takes the mound, Jeong Woo-ram (38-Korea) pushes for the KBO’s all-time record for most career appearances (991). He is three saves away from becoming the sixth pitcher in history to record 200 career saves, but it won’t be easy. He hasn’t been able to capitalize on the save opportunities that have come his way. I didn’t expect a single save to be so difficult for Jeong Woo-ram.
Jung entered the game in the eighth inning against the Changwon NC on April 17 with a 9-7 lead. After striking out leadoff hitter Jason Martin with a changeup, Jung gave up a single to Kwon Hee-dong to left, but struck out Yoon Hyung-joon on a fly ball to right and Kim Sung-wook on a fastball. The fastball was only 137 kilometers, but Kim’s bat went low on the body.
After throwing 22 pitches in the eighth inning, Jung headed to the mound in the ninth. With bullpen relievers Jang Si-hwan, Joo Hyun-sang, Kim Bum-soo, and Park Sang-won not available due to back-to-back games against NC on the 15th and 16th, Jung was given the opportunity to pitch multiple innings and save the game. Jung has nine career saves of two innings or more.
His most recent save came last year on April 10 against KT in Daejeon. After dropping down to the closer’s spot with his only save last year, he’s bounced back with 13 saves in the last two years. Over the course of a long season, you’re bound to get a save or two, and that’s exactly what happened against NC.
A save opportunity after 494 days. Park Sang-won, a junior who looks up to Jung Woo-ram more than anyone else, also gave him a boost. As he walked from the dugout to the mound, he uncapped a bottle of water and handed it to Jung. Jung took a sip of water from the junior before taking the mound.
After giving up a leadoff single to Park Dae-on, Jung gave up a hard-hit single to the next batter, Kim Joo-won. However, second baseman Lee Do-yoon leapt to his feet and knocked the ball to the side, then made a quick follow-up throw to second base to nab the runner at first.
But on the next at-bat, Lee was hit by a hard-hit home run. With the count 1-1, Son fired a three-pitch, 137-kilometer fastball high and away. Son pushed it hard and it went over the left field fence. The ball traveled 110 meters for Son’s fifth home run of the season. With the game tied at 9-9, Jung Woo-ram recorded his first blown save of the season.
[OSEN=Changwon, Reporter Lee Seok-woo] A game between the NC Dinos and the Hanwha Eagles of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League was held at NC Park in Changwon on Sunday. Hanwha Eagles’ Jung Woo-ram is pitching. 2023.08.17 / foto0307@osen.co.kr
[OSEN=Seok-woo Lee] Hanwha’s Jung Woo-ram. 2023.06.13 / foto0307@osen.co.kr
After giving up an infield hit to Park Min-woo that deflected off the pitcher’s glove and toward the shortstop, Jung was stranded at first and second after giving up a walk to Park Gun-woo. The next pitcher, Kim Kyu-yeon, worked a scoreless ninth inning, and Jung finished with four hits (one home run), one walk and two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings. The 44 pitches were Jung’s most this year. Hanwha lost the game 9-10 in extra innings on a walk-off hit by Kim Soo-yoon. Ended a recent three-game winning streak.
Jung Woo-ram, a 20-year veteran who made his debut in 2004, is one of the best bullpen arms in KBO history. In 991 games (969 innings), he has a 64-47 record, 197 saves, 143 holds, a 3.14 ERA and 932 strikeouts. He ranks sixth all-time in saves and fourth in holds, along with Dae-Hyun Chung (106 saves-121 holds), making him one of the rare pitchers to record more than 100 in both categories.
Jung hasn’t suffered any major injuries throughout his career, and his durability and self-care have allowed him to play well into his late 30s. At 38, he’s still a first-team bullpen pitcher, but he’s showing his age. It’s hard to expect him to be as sharp as he once was. This season, he has a record of 39 games (32 innings), 1 loss, 6 holds, and a 4.78 ERA. It’s not a bad record, but it doesn’t fit his name.
‘-9’ to become the first KBO pitcher to reach 1,000 games. The countdown has begun in earnest, but the ‘-3’ to 200 saves is not going away anytime soon. After 494 days without a save, the NC game will be missed.
[OSEN=Daejeon, Reporter Ji Hyung-jun] Hanwha’s pitching staff, including Jung Woo-ram, watches the game. 2023.04.07 /jpnews@osen.co.kr
[OSEN=Choi Kyu-han Reporter] Hanwha’s Jung Woo-ram.
