'3 years, 2.4 billion won → No fall baseball' Kim Tae-hyung reflects ahead of final game: "If I can't deliver results within 3 years, it's the manager's responsibility"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Lotte Giants Manager Kim Tae-hyung (59) shared his thoughts ahead of the season's final game. At the same time, as he approaches the last match of his three-year contract term, he reflected on his tenure.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung maintained an expression no different from usual on the 12th at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, ahead of the season finale against the Doosan Bears. Although Manager Kim had taken over the Lotte helm with great fanfare in October 2023 under a top-tier deal worth a total of 2.4 billion won over three years, he is set to close out his contract term without securing the promised "fall baseball" ticket even on the final day of his three-year tenure. The team finished seventh in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, and will conclude the 2026 season in either seventh or eighth place.

Regarding facing the season finale at Jamsil, Manager Kim said, "I first stood at Jamsil during the 1988 Seoul Olympics when I was in college, and after joining Doosan, I spent nearly 30 years here. My entire baseball life has been at Jamsil," but added with a hearty laugh, "However, I am not the type to easily get swept up in emotions or feel resentful. I should be worrying about my path ahead now; this is not the time to dwell on memories."

He did not beat around the bush regarding his status and potential contract renewal for next season. Manager Kim answered calmly, "I have not yet had a specific conversation with the club. If I go down to Busan tomorrow (the 13th), won't a conclusion be reached within a day or two?"

However, when asked to look back on this season and the past three years together, Manager Kim said, "My only feeling about finishing the season is regret. The fact that I could not show you fall baseball for three years is the most disappointing thing, and I am truly sorry to the fans."

He cited the 2025 season as the most regrettable moment during his tenure. Manager Kim recalled, "It was most disappointing when we plummeted from third place last year. While other teams surged ahead with injured players returning, it was visibly clear that our momentum was fading."

He also pointed out positive elements left behind during his three-year tenure and the clear challenges Lotte must address going forward. Manager Kim assessed, "Compared to the early part of my tenure, positions such as catcher, shortstop, second baseman, and center fielder have settled into their roles to some extent, and young pitchers have shown potential. There are certainly areas where the team's strength has improved."

However, he did not hold back harsh criticism regarding the limits of "depth" (player pool) needed to endure a long race. "Starting players cannot play all 144 games. When slumps or injuries occur, our backup depth remains weak. We need to make our depth thicker, and external reinforcements must also support us; only then can we surge ahead more decisively than we do now," he diagnosed.

Finally, Manager Kim Tae-hyung said, "When I took the job, I promised you fall baseball and beyond, but I failed to keep that promise, so I have no words to offer. I am truly grateful and sorry to the fans who supported us to the very end for three years."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original