Lotte Giants GM Lee Tae-geun’s meaningful confession: “I was unable to hold a retirement ceremony” — the reason Lotte readily granted permission

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Lee Tae-geun (46), the newly appointed GM who will be responsible for the player roster of the Lotte Giants, is set to proceed with his scheduled appearance in a variety show’s retirement game as planned. Although the timing coincided with the first division’s closing camp schedule and could have easily led to misunderstanding, it is interpreted that a long-standing “regret” over not having held a proper retirement ceremony during his playing career was at the heart of his earnest request for understanding from the club and fans. The club also readily granted permission, embracing the new GM’s heartfelt plea and human confession.

GM Lee Tae-geun spoke candidly about his impressions upon taking office and future plans for club operations when he met with reporters after attending the inauguration ceremony of the 22nd manager, Lee Dong-wook, held at the Busan Lotte Hotel on October 31.

The point that drew the most attention at the event was whether he would participate in the retirement ceremony scheduled for the 7th on the variety show “Bulkkot Baseball.” With the Lotte player corps set to depart for Hyuga, Japan, for a three-week closing camp from November 4 to 24, there was potential for criticism regarding the GM, as the head of the front office, attending an external event. However, the Lotte club readily approved it, judging that the event would not interfere with club operations at all.

At the event, the GM calmly yet sincerely revealed the background behind his participation in the retirement ceremony. He began by saying, “Immediately after being appointed as GM, I canceled all previously scheduled broadcasting and external engagements. After bowing my head to apologize and ask for understanding everywhere, I immediately joined the front office and began working day and night.”

After putting aside countless commitments, the only schedule he left was this retirement game. GM Lee stated, “As you know, I did not have a (retirement) ceremony during my playing career,” leaving a meaningful remark.

In fact, during his active years, GM Lee Tae-geun was a bona fide “superstar” who graced the KBO League. He debuted with the Hyundai Unicorns in 2003 and commanded the league as a top-tier outfielder excelling in offense, defense, and base running, while also leaving significant marks as a national team member. Although he also played for the LG Twins, he is particularly regarded as a symbolic franchise star who was a founding member of the Heroes and supported the team through both its dark period and its golden age. To this day, he is evaluated in the baseball world as “the eternal captain and legend of the Heroes.”

However, unlike his glamorous track record, the end of his playing career was actually very lonely. After intense conflict with the club toward the end of the 2020 season, he received a release notice in November and took off his uniform. Rather than having a legendary retirement ceremony held grandly amid the enthusiastic applause of fans, he had to announce his retirement through a personal SNS live broadcast by junior player Lee Jung-hoo. A modest farewell dinner opened by fellow players at a restaurant served as his final retirement ceremony instead of an official one. The regret of not being able to formally bid farewell to fans on the field likely remains as a deep knot in his heart.

The GM added, “I earnestly explained that part to the club and asked for understanding. I pleaded with the CEO, saying that if they could just understand a little, I would hold only the retirement ceremony without causing any disruption to club operations, finish that game, and return immediately. Now that I have become the GM, it means I truly will never be able to play baseball again, right?”

A Lotte club official present at the scene also elaborated, saying, “Immediately after the GM was appointed, there were more than 10 official schedules, but he canceled all of them.” The official added, “The final game of Bulkkot Baseball had already been promoted in a trailer and was a promise to viewers. The GM directly asked for understanding from the CEO, and the CEO readily showed consideration by saying, ‘Finish that last schedule and then devote yourself fully to club operations.’”

The GM repeatedly emphasized his “promise” to viewers and fans. He confessed, “If it had not been a schedule pre-arranged with fans, I absolutely would not have attended either,” adding, “Since it is a matter of keeping a promise, I hope you will look at it leniently.”

He also firmly drew the line regarding concerns about gaps in the closing camp. GM Lee explained directly, “There is no disruption to the closing camp schedule at all. In fact, it is rare for a GM to go to the site from the first day of the closing camp and stay until the end. Usually, they stay for four nights and five days, or at most about one week.”

He continued, “There are mountains of internal tasks that need to be reviewed and handled within the Busan front office right now. I plan to briefly enter the closing camp around the midpoint. If my schedule requiring me to enter the camp had overlapped with the retirement ceremony, I would have naturally given up on the retirement ceremony.” He added, “A GM staying at the closing camp site throughout could also make the player corps and coaching staff, who should be devoted to training, feel unnecessary pressure. I will briefly visit the site to meticulously check only coaching staff support and schedule convenience matters.”

Attention is now on what kind of front office baseball GM Lee Tae-geun will showcase for the resurgence of the Giants squad after finally shedding the regret of an unfinished retirement ceremony from his playing days.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original