By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
Samsung Lions closer Oh Seung-hwan became the youngest player to reach 150 saves in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) Tuesday.
Oh went to the mound in the ninth inning against the Hanwha Eagles and zippered all three batters to preserve the team's 4-2 victory and earn his eighth save of the season in Deejeon.
The Lions closer is the sixth player to reach the milestone in KBO and the youngest at the age of 26 years and 290 days. Lim Chang-yong of the Yakult Swallows in Japanese League was the previous record holder. Lim achieved 150 at 28 years and 23 days.
The 26-year-old closer also needed just 254 games to attain 150, the fewest of any to break the 150 mark. Eagles veteran pitcher Koo Dae-sung was the previous record holder with 344 games.
Oh got his first save in the KBO on April 27, 2005, his first season in the league, against the Lotte Giants at home in Daegu. In the game, the Seoul-born Lion pitched two innings and allowed no hits with one strikeout.
Oh, who grabbed the Rookie of the Year award in 2005, also reached 100 saves in the fewest appearances, 180 games, on Sept. 18 in 2007.
The Lions' victory guardian closed 47 games in 2006, which was the most in any Asia professional baseball league. He was also the first pitcher in KBO history to put up two consecutive 40-plus save seasons, after he got his 40th in 2007.
Oh, who is famous for his powerful and heavy fastball, also earned 39 saves last year, proving to all baseball fans that he is reigning top closer in the KBO, with three consecutive saves titles.