Park Young-hyun and Won Tae-in: the pitchers their managers are counting on

The managers of KT Wiz and Samsung Lions, the two clubs competing for the Korean Series title, both named pitchers as their MVP picks. KT manager Lee Kang-chul chose closer Park Young-hyun, while Samsung manager Park Jin-man went with ace Won Tae-in.

The two managers met Monday at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, the day before Game 1 of the Korean Series between KT and Samsung at KT Wiz Park in Suwon. Speaking at the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korean Series media day, both shared their expectations for the players who could decide the championship.

When asked to predict the Korean Series MVP, Lee said he hoped all his players would perform well before singling out Park Young-hyun. "If KT can win the championship, I'd love for Park Young-hyun to earn it with four saves," Lee said.

The remark reflected his hope that Park would protect all four of KT's victories in the best-of-seven series. Park has been the anchor of KT's bullpen this season, appearing in 56 games during the regular season and posting a 7-0 record with 30 saves and a 2.48 ERA.

KT, which finished first in the regular season and advanced directly to the Korean Series, has had ample rest heading into the series. Lee said the current bullpen is even more settled than it was during the club's 2021 championship run. The relief corps, led by Park, ranks as a key variable in KT's title bid.

Park Jin-man's pick was Won Tae-in. "Won Tae-in has been doing great work out of the bullpen," Park said. "I'm not sure how the final game will go, but I think Won will be the one roaring at the end — and I think he'll take the MVP."

Samsung moved Won to the bullpen to cover for injured closer Kim Jae-yun. In the playoff series against KIA Tigers, Won appeared in relief in three games, allowing one run over 3⅔ innings to go 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA. Park said he plans to keep Won in the bullpen for Games 1 and 2 of the Korean Series, with a decision on returning him to the starting rotation to follow based on results and how the series unfolds.

Won expressed a desire to be on the mound when the title is clinched. "If I get the start in the clinching game, I want to finish it with a shutout," Won said. "If I'm used out of the bullpen, I want to record the final save." Won pledged to live up to the manager's expectations.

The two managers' MVP predictions share a notable common thread: both Lee and Park won Korean Series MVP awards during their playing careers.

Lee took the MVP honor in the 1996 Korean Series while pitching for Haitai Tigers, posting 2 wins and 1 save with a 0.56 ERA against Hyundai Unicorns. Park earned the same distinction as a Samsung player in the 2006 Korean Series.

Two men who were championship heroes as players now face each other as managers in the Korean Series, two decades on. Each is hoping the pitcher he has singled out will seal the final moment of glory.

Game 1 of the KT-Samsung Korean Series starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at KT Wiz Park in Suwon. KT has named Davis Daniel as its starting pitcher, while Samsung will send Choi Won-tae to the mound.