[Interview] 'Departing' Doosan Bears GM Kim Tae-ryong: "I am a very fortunate person. Coming to the Bears... I am grateful that our fans have loved baseball so much"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

There is a baseball figure who can be called a living legend of the front office in Korean baseball, not just for the Doosan Bears. And now, the protagonist has stepped back from the front lines to take on an advisory role with the Doosan Bears. Former Doosan GM Kim Tae-ryong (67) sent his regards to the fans.

Former GM Kim first connected with the professional baseball field as a front office member for the Lotte Giants in 1983, and joined OB Bears (now Doosan Bears) in 1990. After serving as manager, head of the operations team, and head of the operations and public relations division, he was appointed general manager in August 2011 after his outstanding abilities were recognized.

Since then, Doosan has established itself as a powerhouse representing the KBO League. During Former GM Kim's tenure, Doosan built a golden tower by advancing to the Korea Series for seven consecutive years from 2015 to 2021. During this period, Doosan won the Korea Series three times (in 2015, 2016, and 2019).

It was not just the results that were good during Former GM Kim's tenure. Despite the departure of key players, Doosan continuously discovered promising prospects and was called a breeding ground for so-called "reservoir baseball." It was Former GM Kim who led this Doosan. In 2023, while retaining his position as general manager, he was promoted from senior executive vice president to vice president within the Doosan Group.

After serving as general manager on the front lines for a full 16 seasons, he is now stepping down. On the 19th, Doosan officially announced that Former GM Kim would take on an advisory role and that Operations Team Leader Jung Jae-hoon had been appointed as the new general manager. The Doosan club stated regarding Former GM Kim, "Former GM Kim, who led the club's growth and leap, is expected to support the club based on his rich experience and expertise."

Former GM Kim shared his thoughts on leaving the field. After making contact with StarNews, Former GM Kim opened by saying, "I feel both relieved and reluctant." He said, "It seems I stepped down at just the right time so that I could spend my retirement comfortably without stress," adding, "I am a person who has received a lot of good fortune by coming to Doosan. Reaching this point after running all this way and retiring now is also a sign of great fortune."

For him, what was the most memorable moment during his tenure with the club? He pointed to the moment when he dramatically rose through a championship after overcoming painful hardships during the OB Bears era. It was the 1995 championship. GM Kim recalled, "When I first took on the role of manager, OB was in last place. At that time, OB was always in the lower ranks." In fact, OB finished 7th out of 7 teams in 1990 and 8th out of 8 teams in 1991. After fluctuating between 5th place in 1992, 3rd place in 1993, and 7th place in 1994, OB finally took 1st place and won the Korea Series championship in 1995.

Former GM Kim looked back, saying, "After finishing a game against the Ssangbangwool Raiders in September 1994, we went through major incidents such as player departures. Manager Kim In-sik took over the following year and straightened out the team, and we won the championship in 1995. That Korea Series victory is what I remember most." Why did that time remain more deeply in his memory than the Doosan dynasty era of the late 2010s? Former GM Kim recalled, "The player roster at that time was even better than during the dynasty era. We won the championship the year after going through such incidents... It was also an incredible achievement."

Former GM Kim is also a living witness to the baseball world who has shared modern history of turmoil. He said, "We went through the IMF crisis. About 16 employees left at that time. Among the players, we had to let go of those with the highest salaries in order. Recently, we also went through the pandemic..." and then laughed heartily, saying, "I think I have done everything I wanted to do without any regrets. Now, should I appear on TV?"

Now, Doosan will be newly led by new GM Jung Jae-hoon, who follows in his footsteps. The two have been closer than anyone else as general manager and operations team leader. He also revealed expectations for him. GM Kim said, "We have been together since my playing days. There is also a connection where he helped me get out of a contract when I was playing in the US independent league. I also remember urging him to come back to Korea quickly and start from the front office," adding, "Doosan is just beginning now. I firmly believe that GM Jung will exert his driving force and do well."

Finally, Former GM Kim conveyed sincere gratitude to Doosan fans as well as KBO League fans. He said, "The baseball boom is at its peak right now," adding, "In the past, there were times when we played games with only about 5,000 fans in attendance. Thinking back on those days, I am truly grateful that our fans love baseball now," and bid farewell.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original