"We are worried about losing the Korean home run champion, but a massive variable is imminent for KIA! Still, Lee Beom-ho believes in the team's momentum and cohesion."

*This content was translated by AI.

The team suffered a painful blow at a critical juncture in the fierce battle for third place. Adding to the challenge is a massive variable: Kim Do-young (23), the core of Kia's lineup and currently leading the race for the "Korean Home Run Champion" with 40 home runs, has been called up to the Asian Games national team. Yet, Lee Beom-ho (45), manager of the Kia Tigers, remained unwavering in his focus. The commander’s confidence rests on the team’s “momentum and cohesion,” which have only strengthened amid adversity.

Kia lost 4-6 to Samsung in a match held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 8th. Still, there were positive aspects. Despite trailing 2-6, Kia managed to score two runs against Samsung closer Kim Jae-yoon in the ninth inning, demonstrating remarkable resilience. Had they secured this game, they could have jumped from fourth to third place, but it was a somewhat disappointing outcome.

Compounding the situation, KIA will soon face an intense race for standings without its “problem solver.” Kim Do-young, who has led the team’s offense with overwhelming hitting form this season, is set to join the Asian Games baseball national team after the match on the 13th. The approximately two-week absence of such a key hitter inevitably becomes the manager’s greatest concern.

However, when Lee Beom-ho met with reporters before the the 8th game, he expressed strong confidence that the team would not crumble despite concerns over potential power losses. He stated, “We started this season with players many thought would struggle, and we gradually climbed step by step through sheer momentum.” He added emphatically, “That’s why I firmly believe our team possesses such cohesion and unity.” Although the departure of the home run champion looms as a major setback, his words were interpreted as a testament to the tight-knit organizational strength built by overcoming numerous crises since the season’s early stages.

His resolve for entering the increasingly fierce standings battle was also exceptional. Instead of complex calculations, he presented simple and clear goals to the team. Manager Lee said, “Rather than calculating how many wins we need by when to secure which position, our focus is on taking each game one at a time and concentrating on games we can win today.” This meant avoiding anxiety over the ace’s absence or fixation on third place, instead progressing toward one victory at a time. It conveyed the message that losing one game simply means focusing on winning the next.

As the significance of each game grows, Lee Beom-ho did not forget to offer careful consideration for young players who might feel pressure. The manager added, “During this period, when playing important matches, we have many young players on our team who tend to get nervous. We aim to support them well from the sidelines so they can play without excessive tension.”

Despite a disappointing loss and the impending absence of their ace, which could dampen team morale, Lee Beom-ho is bolstering the squad’s spirit with unwavering trust. It remains to be seen whether Kia’s “momentum” and “cohesion,” which have shone in every crisis, will successfully navigate the upcoming two-week test and yield the result of a leap to third place.

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*This content was translated by AI.