Yeom Kyung-yeop sent a text message to his "classmate" Hong Myung-bo saying, "Do well," but in reality, he was too busy just trying to make a living...

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) conveyed a message of congratulations and support to his "classmate" Hong Myung-bo (57), the head coach of the South Korean national football team, who achieved a historic first victory at the 2026 CONCACAF Gold Cup on the 12th (Korea time), using his characteristic witty humor.

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On the 14th, ahead of the home game against the Lotte Giants at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, manager Yeom Kyung-yeop met with on-site reporters and was asked whether he had contacted coach Hong Myung-bo, who led the national football team to its first World Cup victory.

In response, Manager Yeom said, "(Before leaving Korea) I sent a text message once telling him to do well," subtly displaying their close friendship. Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop, born in 1968, and Manager Hong Myung-bo, born in February 1969, are friends of the same age and representative "Korea University Class of '87" alumni in the sports world.

However, when asked what exactly was exchanged, Manager Yeom candidly shared his feelings, saying, "Actually, I'm barely hanging on. I need to win in baseball and in football, but my head is aching because of baseball," which turned the scene into a sea of laughter. He then cheerfully confessed, "Actually, I was too busy just trying to make a living, so I couldn't pay close attention," revealing that he was so focused on the 2026 regular season that he had no capacity to follow the football matches.

Currently, the LG Twins led by Manager Yeom are in sole first place with an impressive record of 40 wins and 24 losses (winning percentage 0.625). However, second-place KT Wiz is trailing by just 1.5 games, leading to a fierce battle for the standings and forcing the team to continue operating under intense pressure in every match. It appears he wittily expressed the reality that even amidst such a major celebration as his friend's first World Cup victory, his primary concern remains his own "main job" of managing the baseball team.

Although he joked that he "couldn't keep up because he was busy," Manager Yeom's warm gaze and strong bond toward his classmate Coach Hong Myung-bo, who achieved a valuable victory on the world stage, were clearly evident.

Meanwhile, following their victory the previous day (13th), LG is now aiming to achieve a winning series. Against Lotte's starting pitcher Wisely, LG lined up with Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin (first baseman), Moon Bo-kyung (third baseman), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Moon Sung-ju (left fielder), Cheon Seong-ho (designated hitter), Park Dong-won (catcher), and Shin Min-jae (second baseman). LG's starting pitcher is Im Chan-kyu. Prior to the game, infielder Kang Min-gyun was removed from the first-division roster, and infielder Lee Young-bin was called up.

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*This content was translated by AI.