On November 14, 2026, the historic Cheongson Baseball Stadium in Seoul hosted its final professional game, dubbed “Cheongson: The Last Inning by Renault.”
The exhibition match featured 61 retired legends divided into East and West teams, marking a poignant farewell to the venue that served as a cornerstone of Korean baseball since 1982.
The event drew a massive crowd despite inclement weather, as fans gathered to witness icons like Park Chul-soon and Lee Man-soo return to the field one final time. While the West team secured a 5-2 victory, the day was defined by the collective nostalgia for a stadium slated for demolition following the current season.
The atmosphere at Cheongson-Yaguang was electric despite the rain. The ceremonial opening featured coaches Kim Sung-in and Kang Byung-chul for the East, and Kim Young-yoon and Kim In-sik for the West. STARNEWS reported that the stadium, which has anchored professional sports in the area since 1982, was treated as the day’s primary protagonist rather than just a backdrop.
The game opened with a symbolic gesture as Park Chul-soon, the MVP of the inaugural 1982 season, took the mound. After inducing a groundout from Kim Byung-yeon, Park bowed to catcher Lee Man-soo, a moment that drew sustained applause from the rain-drenched stands.
The match was not without its competitive flashes. In the third inning, Dustin Nippert, often cited as the most impactful foreign pitcher in KBO history, took the mound for the East.
The West responded with a double from Lee Byung-kyu and an RBI hit from Kim Tae-kyun, putting the first runs on the board. The strategic maneuvering continued throughout, including an intentional walk of Lee Dae-ho by Park Myung-hwan, which was met with playful jeers from the crowd.
The defensive highlight of the afternoon occurred in the fourth inning. Kim Jae-ho displayed his characteristic range, completing a full rotation around second base to field a grounder from Shin Myung-chul.
| Statistic | Team West | Team East |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 5 | 2 |
| Home Run Derby Winner | Kim Tae-kyun | – |
| Stadium History Began | 1982 | 1982 |
The sixth inning provided a narrative highlight as pitcher Yoo Hee-kwan, who holds the record for the most wins at the stadium, engaged in a spirited verbal exchange with LG legend Park Yong-taek. Yoo ultimately silenced the drama by striking out Park Byung-ho with his signature sinking fastball.
As the seventh inning concluded, the final out was recorded on a foul fly caught by Park Yong-taek in right field. The event also included a home run derby where Kim Tae-kyun claimed the title with three total points, narrowly edging out icons like Lee Seung-yuop and Lee Dae-ho.
Fans who remained until the end participated in on-field tours and autograph sessions, marking a respectful, albeit emotional, conclusion to the venue’s decades-long tenure.
Looking ahead, the demolition of Cheongson Stadium marks the end of an era for Seoul’s sporting infrastructure. While the stadium will be razed, the memories of the “Last Inning” match serve as a final tribute to the venue’s role in the development of the professional game.
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