"Are you not interested in Korean baseball?" One remark from Lee Seung-yeop brings Lotte to Japan! Renowned Japanese catcher coach heads to Busan... A 'fateful connection' after hitting a home run at Sajik Stadium 14 years ago

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

A single remark from former manager Lee Seung-yeop (50), a Korean baseball legend, moved the heart of a veteran coach who has been active in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for over 20 years. Kazunari Sanematsu (45), who contributed to Yomiuri's rise to the top of Asia at Busan Sajik Stadium 14 years ago, will now be responsible for developing catchers for the Lotte Giants.

Lotte announced on the 11th that it has completed the coaching staff composition for the first division, Futures League team, and Dream Team for the 2027 season.

The most notable figure is Coach Sanematsu, who has newly taken on the role of battery coach for the Futures League team. Coach Sanematsu is a former catcher who joined the Nippon-Ham Fighters as a first-round pick in the 1998 rookie draft. During his high school days, he was selected for the Japanese youth national team alongside Daisuke Matsuzaka (46), among others, generating significant expectations.

After transferring to Yomiuri in 2006, he served as a backup catcher to Shin-Nosuke Abe (47) and shared the team's golden era. He appeared in 516 games in his NPB career. In 2018, he returned to Nippon-Ham, where he worked as a Futures League development coach while continuing his playing career, before retiring in 2019. Subsequently, he served as a first and second division battery coach and scout for Yomiuri, and has been active as a first division battery coach from 2024 through this year.

The reason the coach, who was also recognized in Japan, came to Korea was a single remark from former manager Lee Seung-yeop. According to Japanese media outlet Full Count on the 7th of last month, former manager Lee Seung-yeop, who worked as a coach alongside Sanematsu at Yomiuri this year, suggested to Coach Sanematsu, "Are you not interested in the Korean baseball world?"

Prompted by this, Coach Sanematsu decided on a new challenge in Korea and stated, "Everything will be a learning experience and a challenge. I will do my utmost for the team's championship, including developing my own skills."

The two share a long history from their days at Yomiuri. Lee Seung-yeop served as a key hitter for Yomiuri from 2006 to 2010, while Coach Sanematsu also transferred to Yomiuri in 2006 and played as a backup catcher. This year, they once again worked together on the same team, with Lee serving as the first division hitting coach and Sanematsu as the battery coach.

Even without former manager Lee Seung-yeop, Busan holds special memories for Coach Sanematsu. On November 11, 2012, Coach Sanematsu faced the Lamigo Monkeys of Taiwan in the Asia Series final held at Sajik Stadium while playing for Yomiuri. At the time, he hit a two-run home run over the left field fence in the top of the second inning, contributing to Yomiuri's 6-3 victory and the tournament's first championship.

Coincidentally, on November 11, 2026, exactly 14 years later, Coach Sanematsu will begin a new challenge as a coach for a team based in Busan. Lotte highly evaluated Sanematsu's multi-year experience as a battery coach and his front office background. The team expects him to pass on the catcher development know-how he accumulated in Japan to young players.

The coaching staff restructuring also draws attention to the joining of coaches from their former teams. Kim Min-sung (38), who was active as a player until this year, will begin his coaching career as a first division defensive coach. He debuted with Lotte in 2007, played for the Heroes and LG Twins, and returned to his original team in 2024. He is a veteran infielder with a KBO League career total of 1,476 hits.

Chae Tae-in (44) will join the Futures League team as a hitting coach. Chae Tae-in contributed to the Samsung Lions' four consecutive overall championships and played for Lotte from 2018 to 2019. He left behind a KBO League career record of 1,162 hits and 127 home runs. For the 2027 season, the first division will be led by manager Lee Dong-wook (52) and head coach Heo Moon-hoe (54), while the Futures League team will be commanded by manager Park Seung-min (49).

Lotte finished this year with a record of 64 wins, 3 draws, and 77 losses, remaining in seventh place for the third consecutive year. After failing to advance to the postseason for the ninth straight year, the team appointed Lee Dong-wook as manager and Lee Tae-geun (46) as general manager, presenting defensive strengthening and tailored player development as new operational directions. The team is currently conducting a defensive strengthening camp in Hyuga City, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. Coach Sanematsu is scheduled to join the squad starting from the spring camp that begins at the end of January next year.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original