SEOUL — Kim Kwang-hyun, the former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher, reunited with his previous Major League Baseball manager, Mike Shildt, in Seoul on Sunday. Shildt, who now manages the San Diego Padres, was in South Korea for a preseason series.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the reunion occurred at Gocheok Sky Dome where the Padres were preparing for their upcoming games against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Seoul Series, marking MLB's first official games in South Korea. Kim, who has returned to pitch for the SSG Landers in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) following his stint in the MLB under Shildt's guidance from 2020 to 2021, expressed gratitude towards his former manager for the mentorship and support provided during his time in the United States.
During his two-year tenure in the MLB, Kim showed impressive performance, particularly during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, achieving a 3-0 record with a 1.62 ERA in eight games. In 2021, he continued to exhibit solid skills on the mound, recording a 7-7 record with a 3.46 ERA over 27 appearances, including 21 starts.
Now in his third season back with the KBO, Kim reflected on his career trajectory and the decisions that led him back to his home country. While watching the Padres' preparations and reuniting with Shildt, Kim shared thoughts on what his career might have looked like had he continued playing in the United States. Despite feeling a touch of disappointment, Kim emphasized his commitment to excelling in his current role and supporting rising talents in the sport.