In brief
After a 6‑1 victory over the Kia Tigers in Game 5 of the postseason, the Samsung Lions secured a spot in the Korean Series. Manager Park Jin‑man criticized the team’s defensive lapses, citing nine errors in five games, and warned that a single mistake could decide the championship. Veteran 42‑year‑old Choi Hyoung‑woo, who has returned to the Lions after an 11‑year gap, also acknowledged the challenges of competing at his age.
In a decisive 6‑1 win over the Kia Tigers on Sunday, the Samsung Lions clinched a berth in the Korean Series, but manager Park Jin‑man was quick to question the team’s defensive performance.
The game, played at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, yielded 11 hits for the Lions but saw them line up two errors, raising their total to nine across the five postseason games.
Highlighting the defensive concerns, Park said,
"Our defense has to be better. It was a source of our pride in the regular season but I don’t know what has happened in the postseason,"and added that the postseason had exposed a slide from the standards set in the 85‑error season record.
He further warned that tiny mistakes would be magnified in the Korean Series, noting that even a single miscue could swing a match.
Despite the defensive critiques, the Lions’ offense shone; starter Ariel Jurado threw seven strong innings, while leadoff man Kim Ji‑chan logged three hits, three RBIs and three runs. Jurado was named series MVP, and all‑purpose reliever Lee Seung‑min was praised as an unheralded contributor.
Veteran Warrior Choi Provides Experience
At 42, Choi Hyoung‑woo is the oldest player in the postseason and has returned to the Lions after a one‑year stint with the Kia Tigers. He has pushed the team to the brink of another Korean Series with a 5‑for‑13 batting line that includes two home runs and four RBIs, and he even played left field in four of the five games.
Choi remarked,
"It has been such a long time. Of course, our goal at the start of this season was to win the Korean Series. But honestly, I had my doubts. I wondered how much I could help the team at my age. But seeing the way my teammates competed during the season, I started feeling confident we could get it done.",and noted that the team’s recent performances have rekindled his belief in a championship run.
While the Lions celebrate their ascent to the Korean Series, manager Park remains focused on tightening the defense, and veteran Choi’s role adds both experience and an extra layer of uncertainty regarding performance at 42.
The lingering uncertainties identified by the sources are whether the Lions can reduce the error rate that rose from a league‑low regular season to nine this postseason, how pivotal the defense will become in the championship-round games, and whether Choi’s veteran presence will continue to produce the offensive impact he delivered so far.
