How did LG become No. 1? Head Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop directly revealed 'the reason' he calls 'absolute'

*This content was translated by AI.

Despite the misfortune of losing its closer and foreign starting pitcher this season, the LG Twins are racing to the top of the standings. It would not be an exaggeration to say they are demonstrating the textbook approach to enduring without falling into a long losing streak.

On the 20th, LG secured a 4-2 comeback victory against the Doosan Bears in a regular-season home game at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

With this win, LG recorded 44 wins and 26 losses, taking sole possession of first place in the league. Having won the previous day (the 19th), LG secured a winning series with two consecutive victories.

On the same day, the 'second-place' KT Wiz, which secured a walk-off comeback victory against the KIA Tigers, maintained a two-game gap behind LG.

Ahead of the game on the 20th, Yeom Kyung-yeop, the manager of the LG Twins, revealed his philosophy on player development.

Manager Yeom stated, "I believe it is extremely important to have clear plans and direction when developing players. There must be a consensus from the front office. Furthermore, the attitudes of coaches and veteran players on the field are extremely important."

He continued, "When it comes to player development, coaches and veteran players are undoubtedly the most important. Development cannot be achieved by coaches alone. Whether a team's culture is built depends on whether veteran players participate together, which completely changes the development system. I consider this absolute."

He added, "If a coach is guiding a player, veterans must also form a consensus and cooperate by saying, 'This is right. We should do it this way,' to move in a positive direction. They must also offer advice based on their own know-how to be helpful."

Manager Yeom further emphasized, "That is why I promote 'friendly competition' rather than forcing competition. If I force competition, veterans will never develop their juniors. Then the future development value of the team will drop significantly. If veterans and young players are pitted against each other, who will teach? They won't teach. 'They are my competitor.'"

LG currently has a well-balanced mix of new and veteran players at each position. Manager Yeom praised the team's veterans, saying, "Currently, our outfielder Park Hae-min takes on the role of offering advice in certain defensive situations and managing the game. In the infield, Oh Ji-hwan takes on that role; at catcher, Park Dong-won; and on the pitching staff, Kim Jin-seong and Im Chan-kyu each fulfill that role, and they are doing extremely well."

Manager Yeom said, "Over the past three years, the club and I have made tremendous efforts to create such a culture. I clearly designate starting positions. In return, I assign responsibility. I also precisely distribute the roles that veterans must fulfill. There must be clear respect for them to be able to perform those roles."

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*This content was translated by AI.