Now, "KIA Man" Cho Sang-woo said, "I'll run hard to win...I think it's a good thing"
Now, "KIA Man" Cho Sang-woo said, "I'll run hard to win...I think it's a good thing"
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Cho Sang-woo, who was a member of the hero squad, will mark the 2025 season with the KIA Tigers.
The KIA Tigers acquired pitcher Cho Sang-woo through a trade with the Kiwoom Heroes on the 19th. In return, they gave 1 billion won in cash to Kiwoom along with the first and fourth round picks of the 2026 KBO Rookie Draft.온라인카지노
According to the two teams, Kia suggested the trade first. KIA Tigers' general manager Shim Jae-hak and Kiwoom's general manager Ko Hyung-wook met at the Golden Glove Awards and general managerial meeting to discuss the trade. They successfully reached an agreement.
"We have formed a consensus with the team on the need to strengthen our bullpen and pushed for this trade," said an official from Kia. Cho's main weapon is a fastball in the 150km/h range and a sharp slider. "He is a proven pitcher who combines various pitching types including splitter, change-up and curveball," Cho said. "As he has played a must-win role in KBO league and international competitions, I expect that he will be of great help to our team going forward."
Cho Sang-woo, a right-handed pitcher born in 1994, graduated from Sangcheon Middle School and Daejeon High School, joined the Heroes as the No. 1 overall player in the first round in 2013, and completed his alternative military service as a social service worker (March 2022 to December last year). The overall performance of the first team is 33 wins, 25 losses, 54 ⅓ innings, 88 saves, and an ERA of 3.11.
Cho made his presence known in the national team as well. He allowed two scoreless innings in three games at the 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier 12 and recorded one save and an ERA of 1.59 in four games at five ⅔ in 2019. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (to be held in 2021), Cho also displayed stellar performance by posting an ERA of 1.13 with eight innings, one win and one hold.
After returning from military service, Cho was sidelined for the entire season due to his injury. His final record in the 2024 season is one loss, nine holds, six saves and an earned run average (ERA) of 3.18, which is 44 games and 39 ⅔ innings. Kia is not concerned about Cho's physical condition. "I understand that he is not in a bad condition," a club official said.
Cho Sang-woo, who contacted him after the trade, told the Spots News over the phone, "I felt restless when I first heard (the trade news) because I had been in the game for a long time. Still, Kia is a prestigious KBO League club, and it is the winning team this year. Since a good team wanted me, I think it's a good thing. I thought I should work harder."
Kia, which was preparing for the 2025 season, agreed on the need to strengthen its bullpen and the field, and decided that it needs to be recruited from outside. Shim Jae-hak, Kia's general manager, recently met with Kiwoom's general manager Ko Hyung-wook at the Golden Glove Awards and general managerial meeting to discuss a trade deal. Consequently, the team has acquired Cho Sang-woo, one of the leading bullpen pitchers in the league.
Cho Sang-woo's mobile phone has been hot for some time since the announcement of the trade between the two teams. "My throat is not in good condition, but I think I talked too much (laughs). I think I should keep in touch with him until tomorrow," Cho said. "(KIA) got calls from (B) Sung-bum and (Lee) Eui-ri, and I also talked to (Lee) Woo-sung, who was from Daejeon High School. My teammates from (Kium) have kept in touch with me so many times that I couldn't get calls from some players."
Cho only played in four games in the second half of this year. After taking the mound on July 11, Cho felt uncomfortable with his right shoulder and had a break for nearly a month. After taking the mound in the first team on August 6, he played in relief twice, but failed to stabilize. His speed was also out of bounds.
Another problem was the recurrence of shoulder inflammation. After confirming shoulder inflammation at a hospital examination on Aug. 13, Cho decided to put all his energy into recovery. Finally, Cho finished the season without taking an additional mound.
"How are you feeling now? It's been a while since I threw the ball with pain gone," Cho said. "I was throwing the ball even before the end of the season. I came back after two years of service, and since I had pain once, I think they gave me rest as a sign that I should not overdo it and prepare for next year," Cho said. "In a way, I think I was traded in a better physical condition. I feel so good right now. I'm so relieved."
Cho will depart for the U.S. soon to undergo individual training and prepare for the 2025 season. "I was planning to go on a trip on March 23, but I am still thinking about adjusting the schedule due to the trade. I could go there right away, or it could change a little bit," Cho said.
His position has yet to be determined. "I need to consult with coaches Jeong Jae-hoon and Lee Dong-gul (about Cho Sang-woo's position). I haven't thought about how to use it yet. I will see how he progresses through the spring camp and make a slow decision," Kia Tigers coach Lee Bum-ho said.
"I think KIA has invested a lot in recruiting this time. They thought I was one of the puzzle pieces when it came to trying to win another championship, and I will work hard to win it because I needed it," Cho said. "I'm grateful to Shim Jae-hak or Lee Bum-ho. I'm going to work hard to meet my expectations."
He also did not forget to mention his former team Kiwoom fans and his new team KIA fans. Cho Sang-woo expressed his gratitude, saying, "The fans of Kiwoom supported me a lot for 12 years. I think I was able to play baseball happily, and I was always grateful. I will see you in a different uniform in the future at the ballpark, and I hope you continue to support me."
"KIA fans are famous for their passion. We will work hard to meet your support. We will show you better performances in the new season," he added.