Samsung Lions vs. Kiwoom Heroes

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stating 'Samsung must have a lot of money' after the team lost 6 consecutive games. On April 24, 2026, Hong posted on SNS that 'apart from these players, I don't see any Samsung players worth their salary,' criticizing players who strike out daily despite not being home run hitters, pitchers who throw many balls, and batters with batting averages in the 10s.

He also asked when 'fast runner Kim Sung-yoon' would return from injury. The Samsung Lions had lost to SSG Landers the previous day and to Kiwoom Heroes on April 24-25, falling into a 6-game losing streak.

Hong has a history with the team, having thrown the ceremonial first pitch on August 12, 2022, at Daegu Samsung Lions Park during a KIA Tigers vs. Samsung Lions game.

He also requested the team wear 'Daegu' logos on their uniforms, which they did starting August 15, 2024, and met with KBO President Heo Goo-yeon to discuss regional baseball development On April 26, 2026, at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, Park Byung-ho, a 17-year veteran of the KBO League, participated in his retirement game against the Samsung...