*This content was translated by AI.
Doosan Bears will play again with the goal of winning the 2026 season. Doosan Bears CEO Ko Young-seop did not irresponsibly avoid the team's current situation. He delivered an unusually strong message to the team and vowed to make another leap forward this season.
Doosan held an inaugural ceremony at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on the morning of the 15th. It was the 44th anniversary of the establishment of the Doosan Bears, the first KBO League club. Most of the players, including Doosan CEO Ko Young-seop, head coach Kim Won-hyung and captain Yang Eui-ji, and coaching staff and front office attended the inaugural ceremony.
Doosan, which built a dynasty in the late 2010s, received a disappointing report card last season. He ranked ninth with 61 wins, 6 draws and 77 losses. After the end of the season, Doosan gave Kim Won-hyung the new coach the baton. In addition, external free agent (FA) Park Chan-ho, internal FA resources such as Lee Young-ha, Choi Won-joon, and Cho Soo-ha were all pressed down.
CEO Ko Young-seop first said, "I would like to tell you a few things about what I want to ask and the direction our club will move forward," adding, "Last season, we received a report card of '9th place.' It was a number that didn't match the name of "Doosan Bears," he said without avoiding the team's current situation. It was unusual because it was clearly not a message that was just a pep talk at the New Year's greeting.
CEO Koh then said, "It was a very regrettable achievement that we did not want to admit for us, who only had the days of the dynasty until a while ago. So as soon as the season ended, I decided to change everything about the club. It was a natural and urgent choice for us, who have no place to retreat anymore," he said again.
CEO Ko said, "First of all, we chose a bold change to newly form a coaching staff. We have brought the best coaching staff in the industry who are recognized by everyone. As far as our coaches are concerned this season, they are by far the "Dream Team" out of the 10 clubs. Starting with manager Kim Won-hyung, a master with winning experience, he is equipped with the best leaders in each field, including head coach Hong Won-ki, QC coach Son Si-heon, and hitting coach Lee Jin-young. I think the players have already felt positive changes in the closing camp," he said, expressing expectations.
CEO Koh continued, "Second, we have invested more boldly than ever in the FA market. To strengthen our competitiveness, we recruited key players to change the atmosphere of the team, and we kept all of our precious internal resources without a single outflow. As a result, the industry's expectations for Doosan Bears have risen to the fullest, he stressed.
"Third, the foreign player strategy was also reviewed from the ground up. I could have made a stable choice, but I chose to change for a bigger leap. And I think this shows well how aggressive our goal is."
Finally, CEO Ko said, "Our club has chosen and prepared for drastic changes and challenges with a bone-cutting mindset since last fall. It's time for the players sitting here to answer, he said. "It's time for the players to move. The plan can be made by the club and the coach, but the completion is ultimately up to our players. Starting with the upcoming training camp, I ask you to be the main character of this change. Please change everything except the uniform you're wearing now and the name engraved behind it. Only then will all media pay attention to Doosan, saying it has changed drastically after March 28, when the opening game will be held. All the opposing teams will be wary and afraid of Doosan. It's time for you to move. "It's time to move on! Let's make a big difference to win again."
Meanwhile, the Doosan team will depart for Sydney, Australia, where the first spring camp will be held through Incheon International Airport on the 23rd, and start preparing for the 2026 season in earnest.
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*This content was translated by AI.
