National Coach's Farewell at Jamsil: A 'Masterful Speech' Evokes the Memory of the 'Miracle' from 25 Years Ago

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"Please keep climbing to the very end."

The 'National Coach's' farewell 'masterful speech' at Jamsil evoked memories of the 'Miracle' from 25 years ago.

Former national baseball team manager Kim In-sik (79) threw the ceremonial first pitch before the Doosan Bears-Lotte Giants game held at Seoul Jamsil Stadium on the 12th.

The game marked the final regular season match at Jamsil Stadium, which is set to be demolished at the end of this year. The home team, Doosan, invited Manager Kim as the ceremonial pitcher. He led the team from 1995 to 2003 and secured two Korea Series championships in 1995 and 2001.

The club explained, "In particular, 1995 remains a meaningful moment not only for the Bears but also in the stadium's history, as it was the first time a Jamsil-based team clinched the Korea Series title at Jamsil Baseball Stadium." Prior to this, OB (now Doosan) was based in Chungnam Province in 1982, and their championship venue was Dongdaemun Baseball Stadium. The LG Twins clinched the Korea Series title in Daegu in 1990 and Incheon in 1994.

Before the game, former Manager Kim took the field with Doosan manager Kim Won-hyung (52) for the ceremonial first pitch. When Kim Won-hyung debuted in the professional league at the age of 19 with the Ssangbangwool Raiders in 1991, the team's manager was Kim In-sik.

Facing the Doosan cheering section on the first base side, former Manager Kim In-sik began by saying, "It is overwhelming to see myself at Jamsil Baseball Stadium again." He then shared his reflections, stating, "While our 1995 championship was significant, the 2001 title held profound meaning. That was because it was a championship achieved by climbing step by step from the (pre-)playoffs all the way to the end."

Doosan, which finished third in the 2001 regular season, defeated the Hanwha Eagles two games to none in the pre-playoffs, the first stage of the postseason. They then beat second-place Hyundai Unicorns three games to one in the playoffs. In the Korea Series, they defeated the Samsung Lions, led by manager Kim Eung-yong (85), four games to two to claim the championship.

Manager Kim Eung-yong, who won nine championships with the Haitai Tigers (now KIA), suffered his first and only Korea Series defeat. The following year, in 2002, Manager Kim Eung-yong defeated LG to secure Samsung's first-ever Korea Series championship since their founding.

In Game 4 of that Korea Series against Samsung, Doosan allowed eight runs in the top of the second inning but scored a massive 12 runs in the bottom of the third, including a bases-loaded home run by Kim Dong-ju, to come from behind for an 18-11 victory. Following their 2000 Korea Series against Hyundai, where they won three consecutive games after losing three straight (finishing as runners-up with a record of three wins and four losses), the team once again staged a miraculous drama, cementing the nickname 'Miracle Doosan.'

Former Manager Kim In-sik shifted the topic to the current season. As he said, "This time, although the Doosan Bears have advanced via the wild card, no one knows what will happen in baseball," cheers and applause erupted among the Doosan fans on the first base side.

Former Manager Kim stated, "Please climb step by step to the very end. I would like to ask a favor of Manager Kim Won-hyung here," and embraced Manager Kim Won-hyung. He concluded by saying, "Everyone, please continue to support our Doosan Bears until the end and love the players until the very last moment. Thank you."

As former Manager Kim finished his ceremonial pitch, Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung (59), who had been in the third base dugout, came out onto the field with a smile. Manager Kim Tae-hyung also played as a Doosan player during former Manager Kim In-sik's tenure. Former Manager Kim, the two active managers surnamed Kim, and Doosan catcher Yang Eui-ji (39), who caught the ceremonial pitch, stood side by side for a commemorative photo, sharing the bond of mentorship spanning three generations.

At the 'Jamsil Baseball Stadium Retirement Ceremony' held after the game, the Doosan players did not forget former Manager Kim In-sik's admonition. Manager Kim Won-hyung told the home fans, "We will all join forces to produce good results so that you can enjoy fall baseball for a longer time." Pitcher Lee Young-ha (29) said, "We will work hard so we can go not only to Jamsil but also to Gwangju, Daegu, and Suwon," while Jung Soobin (36) vowed, "We will play baseball until November and definitely win so that you can visit Jamsil Baseball Stadium more often."

Doosan, ranked fifth in the regular season, will face fourth-place LG in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, the first hurdle of the postseason, at Jamsil Stadium at 6:30 p.m. on the 14th.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original