From "Korean Series runner-up" to a plunge to 9th place: The parting of ways for Hanwha Eagles' Kim Kyung-moon, and the question of whether Lotte Giants' Kim Tae-hyung, who has finished 7th, 7th, and 7th (or 8th), still has grounds for a contract renewal

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Just one year ago, Manager Kim Kyung-moon (68) had led the Hanwha Eagles to the Korean Series runner-up spot. He has now stepped down from the helm, taking responsibility for the team's drop to 9th place in the regular season.

On the 10th, the Hanwha organization issued an official press release stating, "Manager Kim Kyung-moon will leave the team upon the expiration of his contract following the game against the NC Dinos on the 10th." The organization added, "During his tenure, he made a significant contribution to laying the foundation for the Hanwha Eagles' leap by leading the team to the Korean Series for the first time in 19 years and finishing as runner-up in the 2025 season." It was further noted that General Manager Son Hyuk would also conclude his journey with the organization due to contract expiration, and that the club would promptly begin the process of selecting a successor.

Manager Kim Kyung-moon took over as Hanwha's 14th manager in June 2024, succeeding former Manager Choi Won-ho, who had resigned on June 2, 2024, due to poor performance. At the time, Hanwha was in a state of decline, having fallen to last place after a seven-game winning streak at the start of the season was followed by frequent losing streaks, including a six-game skid. Shortly after taking office, Manager Kim declared his strong will to conquer the summit, stating, "Being second has always been painful. I want to win the championship together with the Hanwha Eagles and the Hanwha fans."

In fact, it seemed the promise was being kept. After straightening out a disorganized team in the 2024 season to finish 8th, he achieved a 2nd-place finish in the regular season in the following year, 2025, along with a Korean Series appearance and runner-up finish for the first time in 19 years, gifting Hanwha, which had been trapped in a long dark period, a "miracle of autumn." However, as the team plummeted to a record of 57 wins, 83 losses, and 4 draws this season amid a collapse in pitching and batting balance and injury misfortunes, the organization chose parting ways over contract renewal. The fact that both the manager and general manager stepped down due to the 9th-place finish demonstrated the ruthless coldness of professional sports, even for a manager who had brought glory.

As the massive aftershock from Hanwha rages on, attention naturally turns to the future of Lotte Giants Manager Kim Tae-hyung (59), who was hired with the evaluation of being an "autumn baseball specialist."

Lotte's 2026 season is bleak. Having played 142 games so far, Lotte sits in 8th place with a record of 62 wins, 77 losses, and 3 draws (winning percentage .446). There remains a slim possibility that if they win their remaining two games, they would finish with a winning percentage of .454, overtaking 7th-place NC (64 wins, 78 losses, 2 draws; winning percentage .451) to move up to 7th. However, the moment they add even one more loss, their 8th-place standing is confirmed.

Whether the final standing is 7th or 8th, the essence of a dismal report card does not change. Manager Kim Tae-hyung, who built a golden tower by advancing to the Korean Series for seven consecutive years during his time with the Doosan Bears, has a record at Lotte of finishing 7th in his first year (2024 season), 7th in his second year (2025 season), and either 7th or 8th this year. Having remained at "7th-7th-7th" or "7th-7th-8th" throughout his three-year tenure, he has never once secured a postseason ticket, which the fans in Sajeok have longed for.

Above all, Manager Kim Tae-hyung's three-year contract with Lotte will also officially end at the conclusion of this season. Given that even Manager Kim Kyung-moon, who left a clear footprint as the runner-up in the Korean Series for the first time in 19 years, packed his bags along with the organization's top brass after just one poor season, skeptical views dominate both inside and outside the baseball community regarding whether there is any justification left for a contract renewal for Manager Kim Tae-hyung, who has not even come close to the postseason stage during his three-year tenure.

Following Daejeon, will another veteran manager be forced into a lonely exit in Busan? The baseball world's attention is focused on the decision of Lotte's top brass.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original