SSG Landers, which was classified as a power outside the top five even before the opening of the regular season, is continuing its early rise in the season. At the center of it is "Captain" Kim Kwang-hyun.

SSG manager Lee Soo-yong expressed satisfaction by saying, "(Kim) Kwang-hyun seems to be a great help to the team," before the second game of the season against the KIA Tigers in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League, which was scheduled to be held at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 12th, was canceled due to rain.바카라사이트

As Choo Shin-soo (current SSG owner's special assistant and nurturing general manager), who wore the captain's armband last year, ended his active career, SSG faced a big task ahead of this season. With several veteran players, including Kim Kwang-hyun and Oh Tae-gon, mentioned as candidates for captaincy, the coaching staff has been agonizing over the appointment of the next captain for a long time.

SSG coach Lee Soo-yong consulted veteran players to select the captain, and decided to let Kim Kwang-hyun take the captain's armband. The pitcher kicked the captain's armband for the SSG team for the first time in 17 years since former coach Kim Won-hyung (2008).

It was definitely not an easy choice for a player. Still, Kim has decided to assume an important role for his team. "Although I may feel responsible and burdened, I am determined to be criticized a lot for my team," Kim said ahead of his departure for the first spring camp in January. "Since I played such a role a lot, I am confident that I will do well. I have made up my mind to become a player who supports players to play baseball comfortably and achieve better results."

From the players' point of view, Kim Kwang-hyun, who took over the captaincy, felt a little strange, but most responded that it was not much different from usual. Kim led the team by leading by example, whether in training or during games, and gave strength to his teammates both on and off the ground. As a result, both the team and the players made a good start to the season, raising expectations.

"I can expect more and hope from the manager's point of view as I see the desire to win and the strength of the players to unite even though it is a difficult situation for anyone to see," manager Lee Soo-yong said. "Kwang-hyun is playing the role that (Chu) Shin-soo played last year. Even as a pitcher, he comes to the ground to console the fielders and acts like a mother."

Manager Lee also said, "I think Kwang-hyun came to the coach and talked about what he could talk about, and a good atmosphere was created. Veteran players such as (Kim) Sung-hyun and (Oh) Tae-gon are exerting invisible power, and they are making it possible for young players to play comfortably," adding, "I am doing my best in every game even in a difficult atmosphere."