Defending champion SSG Landers reached the postseason (PS) for two consecutive seasons, but ended 2023 without advancing beyond the semi-playoffs (quasi-PO). Last year, SSG achieved the 'Wire to Wire' championship, never missing the top from the regular season to the Korean Series (KS). The mound supported by the top starting pitchers was solid, and in the fielding lineup, veterans such as Choo Shin-soo and Choi Jeong, as well as younger generations such as Choi Ji-hoon and Park Seong-han, created a new structure. In difficult times, even heroes of difficult times often appeared.

Because the burden of ‘keeping up’ was so great last year, the players this season started with an empty mind. The start was good, but the ups and downs were severe. Until June, the monthly win rate was consistently above 60%. From the second half of the year, there was a sharp downward trend. Since July, the monthly win rate has been consistently below .500, and the September win rate was only 0.286 (10th place). The bullpen, which had filled the starting lineup including save king Seo Jin-yong, eventually showed signs of fatigue.

Choo Shin-soo and Kim Kang-min, who overcame odds, and Noh Kyeong-eun, Ko Hyo-jun, Kim Gwang-hyun, and Choi Jeong, who are in their mid- to late 30s, have rarely appeared beyond their core strengths since Choi Ji-hoon and Park Seong-han. Non-free agent contract players such as Hanyu Island, Park Jong-hoon, and Moon Seung-won failed to meet expectations. In addition, even factors outside of baseball made it difficult for SSG, such as the expulsion of promising pitcher Lee Won-jun due to a group mistreatment within the Futures (2nd team) team squad in July.

Still, the ‘fall DNA’ stood out at the end of the regular season. SSG rebounded in October and ranked first in monthly winning percentage (0.833), winning the battle for third place against the Doosan Bears and NC Dinos. Choi Ji-hoon and Park Seong-han were selected for the national team and although they were expected to face a crisis, they persevered and overcame it. SSG wanted to keep the momentum going. However, on the 25th, they lost 6-7 in the third game between NC and Jun-PO and were unable to return to Incheon. Coach Kim said, “I only had good memories of KS last year, but this fall I experienced the bitter taste of defeat for the first time as a coach,” and pledged, “I will prepare well again from the final camp and show a good performance (next year).”

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