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St. Louis Cardinals: Seunghwan Oh picks up 300th KBO save

By David Hill

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 23: Seung-Hwan Oh #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch in the eighth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 23, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 23: Seung-Hwan Oh #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch in the eighth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 23, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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Seunghwan Oh was already one of the greatest closers in the history of the Korean Baseball Organization when he came to the majors. With nicknames such as ‘The Final Boss’ and ‘Stone Buddha,’ the former St. Louis Cardinals reliever had been one of the most storied relievers in Korea.

After four years in the majors, Oh returned to the KBO to finish out his career. He continued adding to his legend when, on Sunday, he became the first player in the history of the league to notch 300 career saves.

Former St. Louis Cardinals reliever Seunghwan Oh cements place in KBO history

Oh is not the same pitcher he had been. There are some cracks in the stone these days, as the 38 year old can clearly see the end of the line. While he had notched four saves entering Sunday’s action, he had also allowed three runs on eight hits and four walks in just four innings.

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He burst onto the scene as a rookie for the Cardinals in 2016, notching 19 saves while posting a 1.92 ERA and a 0.916 WHiP in his 79.2 innings. Oh struck out 103 batters with 18 walks that season as he took over as the Cardinals’ primary closer by the end of the year. Although he was unable to continue that level of dominance, he posted a solid 3.31 ERA and a 1.152 WHiP in his four major league seasons, striking out 10.1 batters per nine innings.

Oh has dominated virtually everywhere he had pitched. His two seasons in Japan were exceptional, and he has been a legend in Korea. To this point, he has those aforementioned 300 KBO saves, along with an incredible 1.81 ERA and a 0.870 WHiP in 562 innings, striking out 668 batters. There is no question that, whenever he decides it is time to retire, he will be a part of the KBO Hall of Fame.

That time may be coming soon. Oh can still get batters out, but he is not the given he once was. Time is catching up, as it does with everyone. Even the Final Boss must fall at some point, no matter how daunting that task may seem.

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Former St. Louis Cardinals closer Seunghwan Oh has furthered his legend in Korea, as he has become the first player to notch 300 career saves in the KBO.

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