The SSG Landers announced that they will start team legend Kim Kang-min in center field as a special entry on the day of his retirement ceremony, June 28, 2025, against the Hanwha Eagles.
“When the club and the player were discussing the retirement ceremony, we agreed not to proceed with a special entry registration due to his current physical condition,” the club announced, per Naver Sports. “However, as we prepared the details of the event together and exchanged opinions, we reached a consensus that he should express his gratitude to the fans on the field through a special entry.”
Kim played for the Landers franchise from 2002 to 2023. Of course, most of his time with the team came when they were called the SK Wyverns.
He debuted as a 19-year-old, but did not start making a real impact as a starter until 2006. He played 1,919 games for the team before joining the Hanwha Eagles for his final season last year.
He hit 138 home runs for the Landers franchise and will step on the field in a Landers uniform while they take on the Eagles. Landers players will wear special jerseys, donning Kim’s iconic No. 0 to honor his career. Kim was a five-time KBO All-Star, five-time Korean Series champion, KBO Golden Glover and the 2022 Korean Series MVP. He is the oldest player to win Korean Series MVP after winning the award at age 40.
