'One Team' Emphasized by Yeom Kyung-yeop: "We held on through teamwork, not just skill. Our batting pace in the second half will definitely improve."

*This content was translated by AI.

LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) is a coach who meticulously calculates his season win targets on a monthly and quarterly basis. He analyzes the strength of all nine opposing teams, including their hidden weaknesses, to determine the exact number of wins needed to claim the regular-season title. For this season, manager Yeom set a monthly win margin target of at least '+5'.

The team met this benchmark through June. In fact, the process was not smooth. After losing the final three-game road series against the Lotte Giants with a record of one win and two losses, they also lost the final game of June on the 30th against the Kiwoom Heroes. They ended the month with a final record of 15 wins and 10 losses, barely meeting the basic target of plus five wins.

Despite not performing as well as expected, manager Yeom expressed satisfaction with the overall flow. Given the significant loss of key players this season, the team is evaluated as having performed well relative to its actual strength. Starting pitcher Son Ju-young left early in the season due to injury, and foreign pitcher Yoni Chirinos was also replaced after struggling. Compounding these issues, closer Yoo Young-chan underwent surgery and was out for the season. The batting lineup faced even more serious challenges. Key players from the 2025 championship-winning team, including Hong Chang-ki, Park Dong-won, Oh Ji-hwan, Moon Bo-kyung, Shin Min-jae, and Moon Sung-ju, all fell into severe slumps. It was a start that deviated significantly from the plan.

Even amidst these setbacks, LG demonstrated its resilience and did not collapse easily. After a strong start in April with 17 wins and 7 losses, they held on in May with 16 wins and 10 losses. Thanks to the wins they gradually accumulated, they currently hold a firm grip on the first-place position (49 wins, 30 losses) with two games remaining. They maintain a 2.5-game lead over second-place Samsung Lions.

Among fans, there is an assessment that maintaining first place is close to a miracle. The key to this turnaround, as analyzed by the manager, is none other than the cohesion of the 'One Team'. Ahead of the Kiwoom game on the 1st, manager Yeom reflected on June, stating, "We secured many victories not through individual skill, but through teamwork that clicked like gears." He noted that a strategy of thorough selection and focus, minimizing physical exhaustion, was highly effective.

On this day, reflecting on June, manager Yeom openly shared the difficult struggles and sincere inner thoughts he experienced on the field without omission. He diagnosed that, looking only at the objective situation the team faced since April, "barely holding on to a .500 winning percentage would have been the normal pace." He coldly added, "Except for Austin and Park Hae-min, the core players failed to fulfill the roles expected of them." He continued, "Nevertheless, the coaching staff and players united as one and focused at the right moments. They broke through the crisis head-on with the power of pure teamwork, not skill."

However, this does not mean he is content with the precarious 'holding on' strategy. Manager Yeom firmly stated, "We cannot continue the regular season in this manner until the end." While stabilizing the pitching mound is important, he calculated that only when the team's batting line, which is currently struggling at a standstill, comes alive can LG realize its inherent team color of 'aggressive baseball'. He believes it is now time for core batters like Park Dong-won, Oh Ji-hwan, and Moon Bo-kyung to share the burden of Austin Dean, who is delivering MVP-level performances, and Park Hae-min, who is fighting hard.

Manager Yeom showed strong confidence in a second-half rebound. "I am definitely optimistic about the second half," he began, adding, "The most urgent task to get back on track is undoubtedly the batting pace, which is more pressing than the pitching or defense departments. Only when the bats come alive can LG play its normal, proper baseball."

Furthermore, manager Yeom emphasized, "Until now, backup players like Cheon Seong-ho, Moon Jung-bin, and Song Chan-ui have perfectly filled the gaps with golden performances at every critical moment. However, ultimately, at least three of the seven core batters must find their form. Since there is no worse pace than this, I am confident they will recover."

Finally, manager Yeom concluded his self-assessment with the words: "The players are undoubtedly preparing hard. We must finish the first half well. I, too, am expecting and waiting for the players' rebound in the second half. If they do come alive, we will see the image we envisioned. If they do not, I will prepare for that contingency as well."

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*This content was translated by AI.