'Taco Transformation' 397 Stolen Bases Lee Yong-gyu, Hides No Regrets About 400: "There's Nothing Bad About Achieving It"

*This content was translated by AI.

Although he suddenly received the title of 'batting coach', Kiwoom Heroes playing coach and 'swift runner' Lee Yong-gyu (41) still had his eyes fixed on the field. Despite taking on the heavy responsibility of first-division batting coach, he did not hide his lingering desire and passion as 'player Lee Yong-gyu' who is on the verge of a major record.

On the 21st afternoon, Kiwoom Heroes announced a complete overhaul of its batting coaching staff. According to the club, Kim Tae-wan, the first-division batting coach, resigned due to personal reasons, and Lee Yong-gyu, who had been serving as a playing coach, was appointed as 'first-division playing batting coach'.

Immediately after the sudden position change, Lee Yong-gyu's expression when meeting with reporters was surprisingly calm. He said, "I felt no burden at all. The atmosphere portrayed in the articles is a bit different. The main batting coach, Senior Coach Kang Byung-sik, will continue in his role. I am closer to an assistant role, like the batting coaches of other teams. Since I am not the main one, I have no burden at all. I will assist well from behind so the coach does not feel stressed."

Although he downplayed his role as an assistant, Lee Yong-gyu's baseball philosophy toward his juniors was firm. He hoped that Kiwoom's young players would overcome not just technical aspects but also 'the battle against opposing pitchers'.

Lee Yong-gyu emphasized, "In the first division, you must know how to fight (at the plate). Young players lack experience, so they will likely go through many trial and errors. However, my baseball philosophy is that they must not stray from the basics. In particular, I want to instill a firm understanding of swing paths. Only then can they fight against pitchers."

He continued, "Our team's batters are significantly weaker at fighting after two strikes compared to other teams. This is not just about the result of getting a hit. To increase batting average, they must be able to handle unfavorable counts and create balls in play. The absolute basic base is the fastball. You must handle breaking balls from a fastball base; if you try to handle breaking balls and a fastball comes in, even the best batters cannot handle it. I don't think it will improve immediately, but I am trying to instill this awareness in the players with a long-term view."

As much as his sense of responsibility as a coach, his ambition as an active player is also burning hot. Lee Yong-gyu, who has been dedicated to rehabilitation after wrist surgery, recently started batting training and has begun his comeback engine. With a career total of 397 stolen bases, he is just three steals away from the major record of '397 career stolen bases' — the 6th most in KBO League history.

He said, "I have only been in training for less than a week. My condition was consistently worse than the period mentioned by the hospital when I had surgery. I wanted to train, but I couldn't move my wrist and couldn't endure it, so I kept doing rehabilitation training. Still, I reached a point where I could hold the bat and endure. Of course, hitting lightly during practice is completely different from hitting in a game, but I am continuously preparing." He conveyed his will to return.

Regarding evaluations that the appointment as playing coach might signal a shift to a coaching career, Lee Yong-gyu drew a line. He stated, "My will and heart as a player remain the same. Since I even had surgery, I don't know how many games I can play. But if a situation comes where I can help the team with a body that can play, I want to play even just 2 or 3 games."

Especially regarding the career 400 stolen bases, he said, "If my body allows, I will do it even with just three remaining. It would be good if I achieve it; there is nothing bad about it. I think I will have lingering regrets. I should have done it already, so that makes it even more so. I may have less greed or desperation than before, but as a player, I am naturally preparing to do what I must." He did not hide his will to achieve the major record.

Finally, Lee Yong-gyu said, "When I retire, it is certain that I will return to the field. It is because I love baseball so much." He confirmed his dream of becoming a coach. He added, "When that time comes depends on how I prepare. I am simply preparing to do what is entrusted to me now, such as the assistant role, and naturally preparing for my return as a player." He solidified his resolve for the remaining season.

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*This content was translated by AI.