Actor Jung Sang-hoon will capture the mound at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on April 19, 2026, to throw the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the KBO League regular season matchup between the Doosan Bears and KIA Tigers.
The Doosan Bears announced on April 17, 2026, that Jung Sang-hoon will deliver the ceremonial pitch before the home game against KIA at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, framing it as a prayer for victory.
Jung Sang-hoon, who debuted in 1998 through the SBS television drama “How Am I?”, has maintained an active career across television, film, and musical theater. He is particularly known for his appearances on variety shows such as Coupang Play’s “SNL Korea,” where his unique characters have resonated with audiences across generations.
The actor has long been recognized as a devoted fan of the Doosan Bears. In 2017, during the team’s playoff run, he wore a Doosan Bears uniform while throwing the ceremonial first pitch at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.
Reflecting on the upcoming opportunity, Jung Sang-hoon said, “As a longtime fan of the Doosan Bears, being able to stand once again on the pitcher’s mound at Jamsil Baseball Stadium is a great honor. For the victory of my beloved ‘Heo Seok-do’ Doosan Bears, I will prepare a wonderful ceremonial pitch.”
The ceremonial first pitch is scheduled to precede the game between the Doosan Bears and KIA Tigers, which is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Local time on April 19, 2026, at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul.
Jamsil Baseball Stadium, located in the Songpa District of Seoul, South Korea, serves as the home field for the Doosan Bears and has hosted numerous KBO League games, playoff series, and special events over the years.
The Doosan Bears are one of the founding franchises of the KBO League, which was established in 1982. The league currently consists of ten teams, including the KIA Tigers, who are based in Gwangju and have won multiple Korean Series championships.
In the 2026 KBO League season, the KIA Tigers have shown strong early-season form, recording a seven-game winning streak at one point and sitting among the top teams in the standings. The Doosan Bears, meanwhile, have faced challenges early in the season, with a record reflecting inconsistent performance through the first portion of the schedule.
Despite the Bears’ recent struggles, manager Kim Won-hyung emphasized preparation over opponent reputation ahead of the April 17 game against KIA, stating, “Winning or losing streaks don’t matter. We must win, but regardless, we seem to matter more than our opponent.” He added, “Since the past, I’ve often told players: if I’m prepared, I can beat any strong team. But if I’m unprepared or lacking, even against a weak team, we won’t win easily.”
The manager further explained, “So first, we are important. Compared to the opponent, our performance seems more significant.” Regarding lineup decisions, he noted that outfielder Jeong Su-bin was rested due to not feeling well, while discussions continued about optimizing right-handed hitters in the batting order.
Jung Sang-hoon’s participation in the ceremonial first pitch continues a tradition of inviting celebrities, athletes, and public figures to mark special KBO League games. Such events often draw additional fan engagement and media attention, particularly when involving well-known personalities with genuine team affiliations.
The Doosan Bears have not announced any further ceremonial events for upcoming games at this time. Fans wishing to attend the April 19 game against the KIA Tigers can purchase tickets through official KBO League channels or the Doosan Bears’ website.
As the 2026 KBO League season progresses, both the Doosan Bears and KIA Tigers will continue their pursuit of playoff positioning, with each game carrying implications for final standings and potential postseason matchups.
For updates on the Doosan Bears, KIA Tigers, and the 2026 KBO League season, fans are encouraged to follow official team announcements and league communications.
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