[Defeated Manager Interview] Manager Lee Beom-ho: "We will make a season where we can definitely challenge again next year" (PO5 On-site)

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

KIA Tigers manager Lee Beom-ho shared his thoughts on the team's unfortunate elimination from the playoffs.

On the afternoon of the 1st, KIA lost 1-6 to the Samsung Lions in Game 5 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Playoffs held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.

With this defeat, KIA fell behind with a series record of two wins and three losses, ultimately failing to advance to the Korea Series.

KIA's pain was deepened by starting pitcher Adam Ottavino's collapse, allowing six hits and four runs in two innings. Furthermore, the lineup failed to effectively attack Samsung starter Ariel Hurdado, and they bowed their heads without mounting a significant counterattack.

After the game, "defeated manager" Lee Beom-ho summarized, "I believe our players did their best. Thank you for enduring the long postseason with us. We will prepare well to make a season where we can definitely challenge again next year."

The manager said, "I don't know if Ottavino would continue to be hit or not, but I prepared Yang Hyeon-jong immediately. There was also time for him to loosen up his arm. And then Ottavino pitched. If Ottavino couldn't pitch well, we saw the game as difficult. Although he gave up four runs through the second inning, Hyeon-jong blocked well, allowing us to have a good game. They did their best," while applauding.

He continued, "Our players worked very hard this season. They played many good games beyond what they had. Taking these as lessons, if we fill in our shortcomings, making a season where we can challenge next year is our job. We will develop the skills of the players to build a good team."

Regarding this year's growth, the manager noted, "There are positions where young players have grown significantly. Young players showed good form. It seems there were many changes in the team regarding growth this season. As for shortcomings, we need to find various deficiencies, such as positions that felt difficult during the playoffs and methods for regaining condition, and practice sufficiently to achieve better results."

The manager promised, "Playing in the postseason is tense, exciting, and enjoyable. Our players learned how to play games while playing well. I also think we are people who must challenge. We prepared while feeling many things this season. We will fill in our deficiencies, study, and aim for better results next season."

Finally, he conveyed, "Baseball is like that. It doesn't flow as expected, but if we improve only the difficult parts and find them well, I believe any team can achieve good results. Although we finished third this season, it would be a mistake to think we will naturally go to the Korea Series next year. We will prepare well in various aspects to build a team that can definitely rank in the top three or higher."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original