Lotte Giants' "guardian god" Kim Won-joong made his first pitch in front of Busan home fans with his trademark long straight hair cut short.온라인바카라

Kim Won-joong took the mound in the opening game of the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO exhibition game against the KIA Tigers at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 8th and recorded one strikeout and no run in one inning.

Kim Won-joong took the mound in the top of the ninth inning with Lotte leading 4-3. He grounded out leadoff hitter Byun Woo-hyuk to shortstop, Seo Geon-chang to center field, and struck out Kim Seok-hwan, and put to rest Kia's last resistance by throwing three outs.

"Batters seem to lose their timing because they change their pitching moves concisely and compete quickly in the mound," Kim Won-joong said. "So far, I am thinking positively (on the preparation process for the season)."

Kim Won-joong, who was born in 1993, has been in charge of Lotte's closing pitcher for the ninth inning since the 2020 season. Starting with 25 saves in the 2020 season, he has become the league's top closing pitcher with consistent performances every year, including 35 saves in the 2021 season, 17 saves and two holds in the 2022 season, 30 saves in the 2023 season, and 25 saves in the 2024 season.

Kim Won-joong acquired his first FA status after the end of the 2024 season and exercised his right. While several clubs that needed to strengthen the bullpen were expected to send Kim a huge amount of love calls, Kim Won-joong's choice was to stay at Lotte without much thought.

Kim Won-joong signed an FA contract with Lotte for a total of 5.4 billion won (4.4 billion won), including four-year contract period, guarantee amount of 4.4 billion won (3.81 million U.S. dollars) and 1 billion won (1 million won) in incentives. Ahead of the official announcement, he had his trademark long hair cut short before taking a photo with Lotte General Manager Park Joon-hyuk and stood in front of the camera.

Kim Won-joong grew his hair long because he wanted to make a strong impression on his opponent. He vowed to change his hairstyle when he had a special occasion, and headed to the hair salon without any worries after confirming that he would stay at Lotte. 

Kim Won-joong said with a smile, "The short hair meant that I would go back to my initial intention," adding, "Since my hair is getting shorter, I think it will shorten about 30 minutes by combining commuting time."

"Men sometimes just wash their hair with a towel after shampooing and not drying it, but I think I've reached that level," he said. "It's very comfortable for women (with long hair). It's really hard for them to take care of their long hair."

Kim Won-joong's goal for the 2025 season is as simple and firm as he does every year. He expressed his ambition to play in as many games as possible and protect Lotte's victory.

The pitch clock, which some are concerned about, also has no problem in adapting at all. Kim Won-joong had more routines when pitching than other pitchers. Since the pitch clock will be implemented in the KBO League starting this year, pitchers have to pitch within 20 seconds when there is no runner and within 25 seconds when there is a runner, so Kim Won-joong has prepared for the 2025 season accordingly.

"I prepared a lot from the spring camp. I tried to reduce miscellaneous movements and exchange autographs quickly with the catcher," Kim Won-joong said. "My personal goal is to always play full-time in good health. This is my biggest goal because I have to take the mound more often to benefit Lotte," he added. "I also hope Lotte can start its fall baseball league from a higher position."