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Seo Geon-chang (37), a veteran infielder for the Kiwoom Heroes, was forced out of the lineup due to an unexpected injury just one game away from reaching 100 regular season appearances. He has been effectively ruled out for the remainder of the regular season.
The Kiwoom Heroes organization announced on the 1sts diagnosed with tendinitis in his left thumb following a hospital examination. He has been removed from the first division roster as of today and is expected to wear a brace for approximately three weeks.”
Given that he must wear a cast-like brace for about three weeks, Seo Geon-chang’s further appearances have become impossible at this point, with the remaining schedule in early October and the end of the regular season approaching. It is effectively the end of his season.
Seo Geon-chang’s journey this year was a story of triumph over adversity itself. When he returned to his former team, Kiwoom, ahead of this season, both inside and outside the organization viewed him not as a starter, but as a veteran backup in the role of a playing coach who would guide younger players.
However, Seo Geon-chang quietly honed his skills through rigorous physical conditioning during the offseason. He prepared for a complete turnaround by channeling his sincere gratitude and urgency toward the team that welcomed him back into a calm mindset. Although he suffered an unfortunate finger fracture during the exhibition games, which delayed his first regular season appearance, he remained unshaken.
Upon returning to the field, Seo Geon-chang perfectly proved his worth with his performance. In 99 appearances this season, he recorded a .308 batting average (119 hits in 386 at-bats), 3 home runs, 32 RBIs, 60 runs scored, and an OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) of 0.786, becoming a reliable pillar of the Kiwoom lineup. He was in the midst of completing a perfect comeback story while maintaining his .300 batting average through meticulous self-management.
Yet, cruelly, he was forced to stop just one game short of reaching the meaningful milestone of “100 game appearances.” The achievement of “three-digit game appearances,” a record he had been aiming for five years since the 2021 season when he was with the LG Twins, has now fallen through.
Because Seo Geon-chang had been writing the ultimate comeback story by overcoming all kinds of adversity and prejudice, this injury setback and season-ending ruling, coming just one game short, have left a deep sense of regret for both the player himself and the fans.
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