Home Run King Park Byung-ho Announces Retirement, Ending 20-Year Career

Home run king Park Byung-ho is retiring from professional baseball after a 20-year career, leaving the sport. Fans are expressing their disappointment at the sudden news of his retirement, as he was a leading hitter in the KBO League, leaving behind numerous home runs and records.

The Samsung Lions officially announced Park Byung-ho's retirement decision through a press release on November 3rd. The club stated, "Park Byung-ho recently informed the team of his intention to retire," announcing the sudden news.

Park Byung-ho shared his retirement thoughts through the team. He said, "As a professional baseball player, I received so much love from the fans for 20 years. I sincerely thank all the managers, coaches, and fellow players who have guided me during that time."

Park Byung-ho added, "I was able to overcome difficult times thanks to the support of the fans," expressing his gratitude. He also stated, "I will continue to support Korean baseball and start a new chapter in my life."

Park Byung-ho is considered one of the best home run hitters in KBO League history. He began his professional career in 2005 with the LG Twins, then played for the Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom Heroes) before signing a three-year, ₩3 billion contract with the kt wiz as a free agent after the 2022 season.

He was traded to the Samsung Lions for Oh Jae-il at the beginning of the 2024 season, marking the end of his career in a Samsung Lions uniform after the sudden trade.

Park Byung-ho also played in Major League Baseball after signing with the Minnesota Twins in 2016, playing for two years. Although he did not perform as well as expected in MLB, he continued to perform consistently after returning to the KBO League.

After returning to Korea in 2018, he hit 43 home runs in 2018 and 33 home runs in 2019, showing his strength, and also hit 35 home runs in 2022, demonstrating his undiminished skills. Even after returning to the KBO League, he proved that he was still a top-class hitter in the league.

In the 2025 season, he played in 77 games, recording a batting average of .199, 15 home runs, and 33 RBIs. Although he did not show the same destructive power as in previous years, he was still a necessary presence on the team.

Park Byung-ho played in a total of 1,767 KBO League games, recording a batting average of .272, 418 home runs, and 1,244 RBIs, leaving a significant mark on KBO League history. His record will be remembered in KBO League history for a long time.

Park Byung-ho won the KBO League home run title six times. He also won the Golden Glove award six times, solidifying his position as a leading hitter in the KBO League. His home run production ability is considered to be the highest level in KBO League history, leaving a deep impression on many fans.

Meanwhile, the Samsung Lions are also making moves to reorganize the team in addition to Park Byung-ho's retirement. Manager Park Jin-man has re-signed with Samsung for a 2+1 year contract with a maximum total amount of ₩2.3 billion and will continue to lead the team. Manager Park Jin-man has predicted changes for the future of the team.

Previously, on October 28, 2025, Samsung notified five players, including pitcher Song Eun-beom, infielders Kang Han-wool and Oh Hyun-seok, and outfielders Kim Tae-geun and Joo Han-wool, that they would not be re-signed. It was an inevitable choice for the team's change.

Song Eun-beom entered the professional world in 2003 as the first-round pick of the SK Wyverns, appearing in 694 games, recording 88 wins, 95 losses, 27 saves, 59 holds, and an average ERA of 4.55. He was a veteran pitcher who played on the professional stage for a long time.

Kang Han-wool debuted with the KIA Tigers in 2014 and transferred to Samsung in 2017 as compensation for FA Choi Hyung-woo. Kang Han-wool recorded a batting average of .266, 2 home runs, 43 stolen bases, and 159 RBIs in 847 career games. He was a player who performed well.

Kang Han-wool applied for FA in the 2024 season and signed a contract with Samsung for a maximum of ₩300 million for 1+1 years. However, he left the team after only one year.

Lim Chang-min (40) also announced his retirement on the same day, November 3rd. Lim Chang-min debuted on the professional stage in 2008 as the 11th overall pick in the 2nd round of the Hyundai Unicorns, and after going through the Heroes (Nexen), NC Dinos, Doosan Bears, and Kiwoom, he joined the Samsung Lions as a FA contract.

Lim Chang-min recorded 2 wins, 1 loss, 28 holds, and 1 save with an ERA of 3.78 in 2024. His career record is 563 games pitched, 30 wins, 123 saves, 87 holds, and an ERA of 3.78. As a veteran bullpen pitcher, he quietly performed his role.

The Samsung Lions plans to prepare for the future of the team through the retirement of two veteran players, Park Byung-ho and Lim Chang-min, as well as the development of young players. It is an important time for the team's generational change.

A team official said, "We are grateful for the dedication of the veteran players, and we will spare no effort to support the growth of young players." The Samsung Lions are preparing for a new leap forward with young players at the center.