Park Kyung-su

2.1. Birth and Upbringing

Park Kyung-su was born on March 31, 1984.

2.2. Education

Park Kyung-su attended Seoul Misung Elementary School, followed by Seoul Sungnam Middle School (성남중학교_{Seongnam Junghakgyo}^Korean). He then continued his education at Seoul Sungnam High School (성남고등학교_{Seongnam Godeunghakgyo}^Korean), where he was a notable amateur player. During his time at Sungnam High School, he was a teammate of pitcher Noh Kyung-eun (노경은_{No Gyeong-eun}^Korean) and formed a formidable keystone combination with Ko Young-min (고영민_{Go Yeong-min}^Korean), who was one year his senior. Later in his career, he also attended Korea National Open University (한국방송통신대학교_{Hanguk Bangsong Tongsin Daehakgyo}^Korean).

3.1. Amateur Career

During his high school years at Sungnam High School, Park Kyung-su was recognized for his potential. He played alongside pitcher Noh Kyung-eun (노경은_{No Gyeong-eun}^Korean), who was his classmate, and formed a strong middle infield partnership with Ko Young-min (고영민_{Go Yeong-min}^Korean), who was a year ahead of him. This period was crucial for his development, establishing his skills and reputation before entering the professional ranks.

3.2. LG Twins Career

Park Kyung-su was a highly sought-after prospect entering the 2003 KBO League rookie draft. Both the Doosan Bears and the LG Twins expressed interest in signing him. The Doosan Bears initially offered a contract bonus of 350.00 M KRW, but negotiations fell through. Ultimately, the LG Twins secured him as their first-round pick by offering a more substantial contract of 430.00 M KRW.

During his tenure with the LG Twins, Park Kyung-su primarily served as a backup infielder, often supporting players like Seo Dong-wook (서동욱_{Seo Dong-wook}^Korean) and Kwon Yong-kwan (권용관_{Kwon Yong-gwan}^Korean). His time with the team was marked by struggles with injuries, which prevented him from consistently securing a starting position. Following the 2011 season, he fulfilled his mandatory military service as a social service agent, returning to the team in 2013. Despite his return, he continued to face stiff competition for playing time, losing out to younger players like Oh Ji-hwan (오지환_{O Ji-hwan}^Korean) and Jeong Ju-hyeon (정주현_{Jeong Ju-hyeon}^Korean). Even when the team advanced to the postseason after his discharge, he was unable to join the roster due to injury. Unable to establish himself as a regular starter, Park Kyung-su declared for free agency after the 2014 season, seeking new opportunities.

3.3. KT Wiz Career

After declaring free agency, Park Kyung-su transferred to the KT Wiz following the 2014 season. His first season with the new team in 2015 began with a slow start, as his batting performance was significantly low for the initial two months. This led many in the media and among baseball fans to speculate that he might never shed his "prospect" label. However, defying these expectations, Park Kyung-su dramatically improved his hitting from June 2015 onwards. Between June and August 30, 2015, he hit 20 home runs and raised his batting average to .300. He attributed this significant improvement to his extensive experiences and efforts during his decade with the LG Twins, stating that he had finally found his own batting form and swing. He also explained that his previous struggles at LG were partly due to focusing on tactical swings like bunts, sacrifice flies, and advancement hits, and the psychological impact of playing in the large Jamsil Baseball Stadium where well-hit balls often turned into outs. He credited KT Wiz manager Jo Beom-hyun (조범현_{Jo Beom-hyeon}^Korean) for encouraging him to experiment and find his unique swing.

On July 10, 2015, in a game against the Samsung Lions, Park Kyung-su hit two home runs, surpassing his previous single-season high of eight home runs and marking his debut season with double-digit home runs. On August 28, 2015, against the KIA Tigers, he hit his first career 20th home run off pitcher Kim Kwang-soo (김광수_{Kim Gwang-su}^Korean). By the end of the 2015 season, he had achieved career highs in nearly all batting categories, including batting average, RBIs, home runs, slugging percentage, OPS, and on-base percentage. On August 30, 2015, he hit a grand slam off Chae Byung-yong (채병용_{Chae Byeong-yong}^Korean) of the SK Wyverns, his first of the season and fourth of his career. Due to his powerful hitting at the KT Wiz's home stadium in Suwon, he earned the nickname "Suwon Giant Cannon" (수원 거포_{Suwon Geopo}^Korean). There were even popular theories that his home run prowess was linked to the stadium's proximity to "Gyeongsu-daero" (경수대로_{Gyeongsu Daero}^Korean, a major road) or the "탈G effect" (탈G 효과_{Tal-G Hyogwa}^Korean, the "ex-LG effect," suggesting players perform better after leaving LG). Following the retirement of the team's first captain, Shin Myung-chul (신명철_{Sin Myeong-cheol}^Korean), Park Kyung-su was appointed as the second captain of the KT Wiz.

On September 4, 2016, in a game against his former team, the LG Twins, Park Kyung-su hit a walk-off, two-run, go-ahead home run, leading his team to a dramatic comeback victory. This achievement also made him the first second baseman in KBO League history to record double-digit home runs for four consecutive years. In 2018, he achieved a personal best of 25 home runs. He made his belated postseason debut in the 2020 playoffs. In the 2021 Korean Series, he displayed exceptional dedication and performance, playing a crucial role in the KT Wiz's historic first integrated championship. Despite hitting a game-winning home run in Game 3 of the series and then suffering a leg injury while playing second base, which forced him to miss Game 4, his overall offensive and defensive contributions were deemed vital to the team's success. For his outstanding performance and leadership, he was awarded the 2021 Korean Series MVP. In 2021, his regular season home run total dropped to nine, marking his first single-digit home run season in seven years.

4.1. Personal Milestones

Park Kyung-su achieved several notable individual records throughout his career. In 2015, he recorded his first season with double-digit home runs and also his first season with 20 or more home runs. On September 15, 2017, he hit his 100th career home run in a game against the LG Twins, his former team. In 2018, he set a personal best with 25 home runs in a single season. By 2019, he had become the first second baseman in KBO League history to hit double-digit home runs for five consecutive years, extending a record he had previously set in 2016 by achieving four consecutive double-digit home run seasons. His 2015 season was particularly impactful, as he recorded career highs in all major batting categories, including batting average, RBIs, home runs, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and OPS.

4.2. Awards and Honors

The pinnacle of Park Kyung-su's individual accolades came in 2021 when he was awarded the Korean Series Most Valuable Player Award for his performance in the 2021 Korean Series. This prestigious award recognized his crucial role in the KT Wiz's championship victory.

4.3. Team Championship Contribution

Park Kyung-su was instrumental in the KT Wiz securing their historic first integrated championship in the 2021 Korean Series. His dedication and performance were exemplary throughout the series. Notably, in Game 3, he hit a decisive game-winning home run. Despite sustaining a leg injury while playing second base during that game, which led to him missing Game 4, his contributions on both offense and defense were critical to the team's overall success. His leadership and clutch performance were key factors in the KT Wiz's maiden championship title.

5.1. Playing Style

Park Kyung-su's playing style evolved significantly throughout his career. During his time with the LG Twins, his batting approach was often geared towards tactical plays, such as bunts, sacrifice flies, and advancing runners. This strategic focus, combined with the large dimensions of Jamsil Baseball Stadium, where the LG Twins played their home games, often limited his power numbers. However, after transferring to the KT Wiz, he was encouraged by manager Jo Beom-hyun (조범현_{Jo Beom-hyeon}^Korean) to develop his own natural swing and batting form. This shift allowed him to unlock his full potential, transforming him into a powerful hitter known for his long-ball capabilities. His improved hitting mechanics and overall approach to the game contributed to his career resurgence and increased offensive production.

5.2. Nicknames and Cheering

Due to his consistent ability to hit long home runs at the KT Wiz's home stadium in Suwon, Park Kyung-su earned the popular nickname "Suwon Giant Cannon" (수원 거포_{Suwon Geopo}^Korean). This nickname became synonymous with his powerful hitting and his impact on the team's offense. There were also popular, anecdotal theories among fans regarding his success, such as the "Gyeongsu-daero" (경수대로_{Gyeongsu Daero}^Korean) effect, playfully linking his name to a major road in Suwon, and the "탈G effect" (탈G 효과_{Tal-G Hyogwa}^Korean), suggesting that players often thrive after leaving the LG Twins. During his time with the LG Twins, his cheering song was a repurposed melody originally used for Ryu Ji-hyun (류지현_{Ryu Ji-hyeon}^Korean). This same original song was also adopted by other players like Son In-ho (손인호_{Son In-ho}^Korean), Son Ju-in (손주인_{Son Ju-in}^Korean), and Kang Seung-ho (강승호_{Gang Seung-ho}^Korean).

5.3. Captaincy

Park Kyung-su served as the second captain in the history of the KT Wiz. He was appointed to this leadership role after the team's inaugural captain, Shin Myung-chul (신명철_{Sin Myeong-cheol}^Korean), retired following the 2015 season. As captain, Park Kyung-su was responsible for leading the team, fostering camaraderie, and representing the players, demonstrating his strong leadership qualities both on and off the field.

6.1. Yearly Batting Performance

6.2. Jersey Number History

Throughout his career, Park Kyung-su wore several jersey numbers:

• 13 (2003-2004)
• 6 (2005-2011, 2014-2024)
• 69 (2025-)

7.1. Retirement from Playing

Park Kyung-su officially announced his retirement from playing professional baseball on October 18, 2024, at the age of 40. This decision marked the end of a career that spanned two decades in the KBO League, culminating in his role as a former Korean Series MVP for the KT Wiz.

7.2. Coaching Career

Following his retirement as a player, Park Kyung-su embarked on a coaching career. He is set to join the coaching staff of the KT Wiz starting in 2025. This transition allows him to continue contributing to the sport and the team that he helped lead to a championship, now in a capacity focused on developing future talent.

8.1. Positive Contributions

Park Kyung-su's career is widely regarded as a story of resilience and belated success. After spending over a decade with the LG Twins without fully realizing his potential, his move to the KT Wiz marked a profound turning point. His career resurgence, particularly his breakout 2015 season and his consistent performance thereafter, served as an inspiration, demonstrating that sustained effort can lead to significant achievements even later in a player's career. His leadership as the second captain of the KT Wiz played a crucial role in shaping the team's identity and fostering a winning culture. His most impactful contribution came in the 2021 Korean Series, where his clutch hitting, including a game-winning home run, and overall dedication, even playing through injury, were vital to the KT Wiz securing their first-ever integrated championship. His receipt of the Korean Series MVP award after 19 years in the league underscored his enduring commitment and ultimate triumph, establishing him as a respected veteran and a symbol of the team's rise to prominence. His transition to coaching further solidifies his positive legacy, as he continues to contribute to the development of baseball talent.

8.2. Criticisms and Controversies

Throughout his extensive professional baseball career, Park Kyung-su has not been widely associated with any significant criticisms or controversies. His public image has largely remained positive, focusing on his dedication, resilience, and contributions to his teams.