"Data and on-field intuition must coexist" — New Lotte Giants GM Lee Tae-geun's conviction... "Lack of experience? I acknowledge it and will seek help" [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Lee Tae-geun (46), the newly appointed general manager who will lead the Lotte Giants' fresh start, acknowledged external concerns about his lack of experience as an on-field coach. Instead, he emphasized communication and cooperation, stating that he would seek assistance in areas where he is not strong.

In a phone interview with StarNews on the 27th, GM Lee Tae-geun said, "The Lotte team I observed from the outside had shortcomings, such as weak defense, but it was also a team with plenty of potential players and sufficient possibilities."

On the 26th, Lotte officially announced the appointment of Lee Tae-geun as general manager alongside new head coach Lee Dong-wook (52). The club offered Head Coach Lee Dong-wook, who led the NC Dinos to a double championship in 2020, a three-year contract worth a total of 2 billion won. They selected GM Lee Tae-geun as the figure to serve as a bridge between the field and the front office.

GM Lee Tae-geun is a former star player who represented the KBO League. After graduating from Gyeongnam High School and Korea University, he was drafted in the second round, third pick (24th overall) by the Hyundai Unicorns in 1999 and debuted in the first division in 2003. He went on to play for the Hyundai, Heroes, LG Twins, and Nexen/Kiwoom Heroes, active for 18 years until 2020.

Over his career, he recorded a .302 batting average, 1,621 hits, 136 home runs, 773 RBIs, and 175 stolen bases in 1,651 games. After retiring, he underwent coaching training and served as a commentator for the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) and SBS Sports from 2024 to 2025, as well as for tvN SPORTS and TVING this year. Since 2025, he has also served on the KBO Power Enhancement Committee.

However, he has no experience working as a coach or administrative head of a professional baseball team. While he spent a long time as a player and commentator, serving as a general manager who must operate the entire club is a different role.

GM Lee Tae-geun was fully aware of such concerns. "In fact, I have not failed to prepare for this aspect (coaching). I have been continuously preparing," he said, while adding, "It is certainly a part that will be seen as a weakness. But I acknowledge it and intend to seek advice from many people," revealing his candid feelings.

Rather than trying to solve everything alone, he aims to listen to voices from the field and fill in the gaps. In that regard, it was positive that he hit it off well with Head Coach Lee Dong-wook, whom he will work with anew, right from their first conversation. "I did not talk with the head coach for a long time. We spoke briefly here and there regarding the selection of the coaching staff," GM Lee said. "But we really clicked better than I expected. I was surprised to find that many things aligned between what I thought and what the head coach thought," he added with a smile.

The two share a common interest in utilizing data. Head Coach Lee Dong-wook has been known as a coach interested in data and the latest baseball trends since his days with the NC Dinos, while GM Lee earned fan support for his data-driven commentary. Lotte also emphasized data-based objective power analysis, strengthening defense, and close communication between the front office and the field when announcing these appointments. However, they believe that data alone cannot explain baseball.

GM Lee emphasized, "I was certainly a player who loved data very much. But baseball is clearly played by people. Since it is played by people with emotions, I believe that data and on-field intuition must coexist. It is not about blindly trusting one over the other."

The message is that while valuing data, they will also prioritize players' changing conditions and emotions at any given moment, as well as on-field judgment. "I think coexistence of data and the field means quickly grasping those things and playing baseball suited to the situation on the ground," GM Lee conveyed. "I am also well aware that the situation when providing commentary is different from the actual on-field situation where players must be deployed."

His stance on respecting on-field authority was also clear. "The situation of deploying players is different every time. I think that is the domain of the head coach who is on the field," GM Lee said firmly. "More than that, I believe the role of the general manager is to provide an environment where players can comfortably receive motivation and the coaching staff can also be motivated."

The most urgent task for the new general manager is improving performance and regaining fan trust. Lotte finished the season in 7th place with a record of 64 wins, 3 draws, and 77 losses (winning percentage .454), failing to advance to the postseason for the ninth consecutive year. When asked what instructions he received from the club, GM Lee replied, "They said we must produce results. Isn't that natural? Lotte's performance has not been good for a while. We have failed to make the postseason for nine years in a row. They stated that regaining fan trust through performance is the top priority."

The club also explained upon appointing Head Coach Lee Dong-wook and GM Lee Tae-geun: "In line with the owner's vision and will, the club plans to improve the team's fundamental nature through front office innovation, including scouting, and build a competitive strength capable of leaping into the top ranks." They added, "We aim to communicate smoothly with the field leveraging the expertise of GM Lee Tae-geun, who is a former player, and plan to strengthen a tailored development system to create a sustainable team structure."

Lotte will hold its closing camp in Miyazaki, Japan, starting November 4. This is the first schedule for the new head coach and general manager as they prepare for the 2027 season. Meanwhile, the inauguration ceremony for new Head Coach Lee Dong-wook is scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. on the 31st in the Sapphire Room on the 41st floor of the Busan Lotte Hotel.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original