In brief
At a key moment in the Korean Series, Samsung Lions’ manager Park Jin‑man benched veteran catcher Kang Min‑ho, giving an opportunity to rookie Kim Do‑hwan for Game 4. The decision followed Kang’s 0‑for‑6 slump and an ongoing oblique injury, and comes after a 5‑1 win Friday that gave the Lions a 2‑1 lead. Park said he felt it was time to give Kang a break and hoped the fresh pair would energize the lineup. Kang’s removal follows a decade of defensive service and a recent explanation that his continued presence was meant to maintain “stability.”
Samsung Lions’ manager Park Jin‑man pulled 41‑year‑old catcher Kang Min‑ho from the lineup for the first time in the Korean Series, inserting 26‑year‑old rookie Kim Do‑hwan ahead of Game 4 Sunday at the Seoul Olympic Stadium.
Park’s decision followed the veteran catching a 0‑for‑6 slump in the first three games and the lingering pain of an oblique injury. “We have the back‑to‑back night game and day game, and he was just about to collapse,” Park said, noting a need to give his shoulders a rest after a fat‑to‑fat night of play.
The Lions had taken a 5‑1 Friday win over KT Wiz, bringing them a 2‑1 advantage in the best‑of‑seven championship battle. Kim will make his first postseason start and will catch the 19‑year‑old pitcher Jang Chan‑hee, who is also making his inaugural start in the Series. Park said he hoped the fresh back‑stop and young pitcher would “bring some energy” to the game.
Just before the decision, Park explained that he had kept Kang in the lineup even amid poor batting, citing a desire for “stability” in the defensive unit rather than a purely statistical measure. The rationale was echoed by reporter Yoo Jee‑ho of Yonhap, who noted that Kang had stayed on the field for eight consecutive postseason games while playing through the injury.
With the Lions leading the Series, the move marks a tactical shift as the team seeks to build momentum in the high‑stakes remaining games. The game will resume at 1:50 p.m. local time on Saturday in the same stadium.
