Thursday, August 27, 2026

A 152 km/h Fastball Sent Over the Center-Field Wall... 42-Year-Old Choi Hyoung-woo Hits the KBO's Oldest Grand Slam!

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2026-08-27 08:44:55
Updated
2026-08-27 08:44:55
Choi Hyoung-woo, who hit the oldest grand slam in history. Yonhap News Agency

[Financial News]  Choi Hyoung-woo (42), the heart of the Lions and a living legend of Korean pro baseball, has added another dazzling milestone to his career. With a lightning-fast swing that lifted a 152 km/h heater and sent it over the fence, the phrase "aging curve" was rendered completely meaningless.
Choi Hyoung-woo of the Samsung Lions started at designated hitter and batted cleanup in an away game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 26th, and made KBO League history by becoming the oldest player ever to hit a grand slam.
The record-breaking moment came in his very first at-bat. With the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the first inning, Choi stepped in against Kiwoom right-hander Park Jun-hyun. After working the count, he lifted a heavy low fastball at 152 km/h and sent the ball, struck squarely on the sweet spot, soaring over the deepest part of the center-field fence at Gocheok Dome for a go-ahead grand slam. It was a decisive blow that seized control of the game early.
With the home run, Choi set a new milestone in the 44-year history of Korean pro baseball. At 42 years, 8 months and 10 days old, he broke the previous KBO League record for the oldest grand slam, which had belonged to Felix Jose, formerly of the Lotte Giants, at 41 years, 3 months and 29 days. It was the result of meticulous self-management and relentless effort, surpassing a record once held by one of the most powerful foreign hitters in league history.
The homer also gave Choi his 10th career grand slam. The all-time leader in this category is Kia Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho, who hit 17 grand slams in his career.
Even well past his 40s, Choi remains a reliable cleanup hitter for Samsung. Every time he steps into the batter's box, he keeps writing new chapters in pro baseball history, and his powerful swing delivered another unforgettable impact for fans on this night.


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