It's hard to believe 8-0 and 9-0 leads were overturned. "Remember that the opponent can also score 8 or 9 points" → Do not give them a chance to chase [Kim In-sik's One Word]

*This content was translated by AI.

These days, I rarely go out in the evening. It's because I want to watch all five professional baseball games from home. In doing so, I am once again reminded that among various strategies in baseball, the most difficult task for a manager is undoubtedly the timing of pitcher substitutions.

Recently, the KBO League saw three unexpected games within a single week.

On August 18 at Sajik, Kiwoom Heroes led Lotte Giants 8-0 but surrendered 13 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning and lost 10-15 after being overtaken. On the 21st in Daejeon, LG Twins were leading Hanwha Eagles 9-0 but allowed a comeback starting from the bottom of the 4th inning and lost 11-15. On the 23rd at Gocheok, KIA Tigers led 7-2 but surrendered six runs in the bottom of the 9th with two outs, including a walk-off bases-loaded home run by Kiwoom, and lost 7-8.

Based on my experience, what matters most is to remember that "if we were leading 8-0, the opponent could also score 8 points" and play accordingly. As innings progress, if you prevent the opponent from scoring runs, their pitching strategy will change. This creates opportunities for additional runs, allowing you to widen the lead further.

On the other hand, thinking "we're up by eight runs, so we can afford to give up about four" and sending out a weaker pitcher can quickly result in three or four runs allowed in an inning if runners are loaded and hits are given up. This gives the struggling opponent a chance to rally. Additionally, as the score gap narrows, managers may feel pressured and be forced to bring in stronger pitchers sooner than necessary.

In KIA's case on the 23rd, they sent Lee Tae-yang into the bottom of the 9th with a five-run lead but only brought in Lee Ui-ri after one out, bases loaded, and when the save condition was met. Which is more important: a save or team victory? If you lose the game, there will be no save anyway. The fire had already started; it should have been extinguished before it spread further.

Additionally, there is a need to think about ending the game quickly for the sake of the next match and resting the players. Allowing the opponent to mount a comeback extends the game time and increases player fatigue. Even if starters are substituted, they must remain on the bench until the end rather than returning to the hotel, so the difference is minimal.

Such cases have also been experienced in international tournaments. When I served as the national team manager in the 2015 inaugural WBSC (World Baseball Softball Confederation) Premier12, Korea was held to just one hit (by Jung Geun-woo in the top of the 7th) and struck out 11 times against Japan's starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani until the top of the 7th in the semi-final match.

However, Japan's manager Hiroki Kokubo removed Ohtani, who had thrown 85 pitches while leading 3-0 in the top of the 8th, and brought in Takahiro Norimoto. This was consistent with his mound management strategy shown since the group stage. Norimoto held the line in the top of the 8th with three up, three down, but collapsed in the top of the 9th, and Japan ultimately lost 3-4 after being overtaken, failing to advance to the final. (Korea defeated the United States 8-0 in the final to claim the inaugural championship.)

Manager Kokubo became the target of criticism. The argument was that "Ohtani should have been given one more inning." I recall being asked about this during a press conference at the time and vaguely responding with something like "that could have been possible."

Ultimately, if you lose the game, there is no room for excuses. As a manager, he may have wanted to protect his pitchers, and he likely did his best given the circumstances, but he cannot escape criticism.

Reflecting on my own past experience as a manager, I know it was indeed not an easy decision. However, even when leading significantly, managers should not easily allow just a few runners to get on base. I want to advise KBO League managers to be especially careful not to provide the opponent with opportunities to rally.

/Kim In-sik, former national baseball team manager (currently a senior advisor to the KBO)

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*This content was translated by AI.