Kiwoom Heroes will hold a retirement ceremony for Park Byung-ho, the "Heroes' eternal cleanup hitter," before the home game against the Samsung Lions at 2 p.m. on the 26th at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.
The club set the retirement ceremony title as "Victory, hero Park Byung-ho" and plans to commemorate the end of Park Byung-ho's playing career, who wore the Heroes uniform and led the team to victory with numerous home runs.
On that day, 7,000 Park Byung-ho retirement commemorative T-shirts will be given to fans who visit Gocheok Dome on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, a fan signing event will be held for a total of 104 people—52 preselected Kiwoom fans and 52 annual members—giving fans time to say a final farewell.
The main events will take place on the field. The club will present a plaque of appreciation, a commemorative bat, a commemorative frame and other items to Park Byung-ho to express gratitude for his dedication to the team during his Heroes years. Then, the big screen will show a highlights video from his Heroes years along with farewell messages from senior and junior players who spent a long time on the field together, adding to the emotion.
Through his retirement remarks, Park Byung-ho will offer heartfelt thanks to the fans. Park Byung-ho's son will throw the ceremonial first pitch at that day's game, and Park Byung-ho himself will take the last at-bat as the batting practice hitter, completing his final plate appearance together with his family.
Seven commemorative items will be introduced, including Park Byung-ho's retirement commemorative uniform and cap, a commemorative ball, and a coin package. The commemorative items will feature a special patch made using the phrase HEROES LEGEND and the uniform number 52. Park Byung-ho's handwritten postcard will also be included with purchases. The commemorative items will be sold in limited quantities from 9:30 a.m. at the permanent shop set up outside Gocheok Sky Dome.
Park Byung-ho began his professional career with the LG Twins in 2005 and joined the Heroes in 2011 through a trade. After advancing to Major League Baseball in the United States through the posting system in 2016, he returned to the Heroes in 2018 and played through 2021. He later continued his career with KT Wiz and the Samsung Lions.
In the KBO League, over 17 seasons he appeared in 1,767 games and recorded 1,554 hits, 418 home runs, 1,244 RBIs, 1,022 runs and a .272 batting average; he left his name in Korean professional baseball history as a home run hitter representing the league, winning two regular-season MVPs, six home run titles and six first baseman Golden Gloves. Park Byung-ho, who retired after the 2025 season, is currently serving as a senior coach for Kiwoom's reserve squad, working to train the next generation.<
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