Wow, he didn't even win a game in 2019, but the winning coach's sense of change → If he threw a strike, he was a must-winner
Mar 18, 2025
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KT Wiz finished first (6-1) in the exhibition game of the KBO League in the 2025 season. KT manager Lee Kang-chul recalled his first year in office and felt a sense of change, saying, `At that time, I didn't even win a single game.'
KT was completely transformed with manager Lee Kang-chul at the helm. KT ranked last for three consecutive years since its foundation and ranked ninth in 2018. Lee took office in 2019. Jumped to 6th place in 2019. He succeeded in his first fall baseball game in 2020. KT has become a regular customer of fall baseball by advancing to the postseason for five consecutive years from 2020 to last year. In 2021, he even achieved the first-ever unified championship feat.
This year, the exhibition game ended in first place, and the outlook for the season is hopeful. Coach Lee Kang-chul suddenly recalled the first season when his eyes were dark.
Lee said, `In 2019, we didn't even win a single game. It was a complete defeat after one draw. And he lost five consecutive games in the opening period."
Director Lee jokingly said, `At that time, whenever I played catch, I went out and threw. It was a must-win group if I threw a strikeHe smiled and expressed satisfaction, saying, "Now, if I really decide to win and play all the games, I have the power to watch the game."
Manager Lee Kang-chul has maximized the strengths of veteran pitchers who have passed their prime, such as Jeon Yoo-soo, Ahn Young-myung, Lee Bo-geun, and Yoo Won-sang, and made good use of them at important moments. At the same time, he also succeeded in fostering new pitchers such as Cho Hyung-joon and Park Young-hyun. Last year, Woo Kyu-min came to KT and revived.
KT's power this year is quite solid. He is considered a stable candidate for the top five.
Heissus and Cuevas' proven foreign one-two punch is reliable. The Korean starting lineup, which leads to Ko Young-pyo, So Hyung-joon and Oh Won-seok, is also solid. The bullpen, led by national team closer Park Young-hyun, also has no hole. This year's rookie Kim Dong-hyun is considered a huge prospect. The ball power is so good that I'm wondering whether I should use it as a starter or gain experience in the bullpen.
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The most vigilant factor for KT is injury. KT has succeeded in autumn baseball for five consecutive years, but the first half has always been difficult. The main players fell to the bottom as they suffered a string of injuries, and miraculously reversed the ranking table every year after summer.
Coach Lee Kang-chul said, `I think I survived two months with one starting Cuevas because everyone said they were sick last year. There have been no major injuries this year. We have to do well from the opening game, but it's a big problem because the opponent is Hanwha. They all throw 150 kilometers, he said.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
