A Historic Comeback Seals Samsung's Ninth Crown
The Samsung Lions concluded their 2026 Korean Series campaign with a decisive 12-1 victory over the KT Wiz in Game 5 on November 8, securing their ninth championship title and ending a 12-year drought. The win marks a significant milestone for the club, as it is the first time since 2018 that a No. 2 seed has won the Korean Series, with the SK Wyverns being the previous team to achieve this feat.
The series concluded with Samsung winning four games to one, overcoming an initial setback by losing the opener 7-8 in Suwon. Prior to the series, pundits heavily favored KT Wiz, who had won the regular season title and earned a bye to the Korean Series due to holding the best record. Samsung finished second in the regular season, eight games behind KT Wiz.
The Lions demonstrated resilience by becoming the seventh team to win three straight games after losing the opener in the Korean Series, with all previous teams achieving this feat going on to win the championship. The turning point came in Game 5, where Samsung rallied from an 0-8 deficit to win by a final score of 12-1. The Lions blew the game open with an eight-run fifth inning in front of a sellout crowd of 23,550 fans at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.
Key Performances and Veteran Leadership
Captain Koo Ja-wook was instrumental in the victory, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. His performance throughout the series included batting .500 with a home run and six RBIs, earning him Korean Series MVP honors.
On the mound, Samsung starter Won Tae-in pitched five innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits, before handing off to reliever Chris Vedek who threw four perfect innings. The victory also marked personal milestones for several veterans on the roster. Catcher Kang Min-ho earned his first Korean Series ring in his 23-year career, while veteran outfielder Choi Hyoung-woo, age 42, became the oldest Korean Series champion.
Managerial Triumph and Roster Rebuilding
Manager Park Jin-man won his first Korean Series title as a manager after losing to the Kia Tigers in 2024. He becomes the second former Korean Series MVP to win a title as a manager.
The Lions' success follows a strategic rebuilding of their roster. Samsung re-signed ace Ariel Jurado and star hitter Lewin Diaz, adding veteran Choi Hyoung-woo, and reinvested profits from leading the league in attendance for two straight years. This approach contrasts with the financial landscape of the league; Samsung’s average salary was 188.63 million won, ranking fifth among the 10 clubs, while KT ranked fourth and SSG led at 207.83 million won.