The place where I left the genius shortstop to be a proud father? First billion-year salary in life → 3 months son baby formula buff...Rebuilding the 9th-ranked team in the second half, it's in this guy's hands.

Jul 16, 2025

In the game between Doosan and Lotte at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 9th, Lee Yoo-chan, with two outs and runners on second base, hits an RBI timely hit in the top of the ninth inning and walks to second base to cheer. Busan = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.07.09/

A game between Samsung and Doosan at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 1st, and Doosan's Lee Yoo-chan is happy after hitting a hit in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.07.01/

It put an end to the position wandering inside and outside. It has completely removed the unwelcome label of a prospect for many years. The replacement of the head coach gave a fresh wind to the chaotic atmosphere.

Lee Yoo-chan of the Doosan Bears, who is 27 years old this year, finally stood tall as the main shortstop. It is the vanguard of Doosan's counterattack in the second half, which fell to ninth place.

This season, he started the season with a lot of motivation, making his name on the first annual salary of 100 million won. However, at the beginning of the season, there was no fixed position. The main infielder position was full. Kang Seung-ho was on third base, Park Joon-young was on shortstop, and rookie Oh Myung-jin was on second base.

Lee Yoo-chan started as a second baseman in the first week of the opening, and also played as a third baseman and shortstop, and in April, the records of starting games were accumulated in left and right field, respectively. I wondered if I was in a state of 'Wandering' again this year. Some predicted that there would be more opportunities in the outfield than in the outfield.

Still, the batting was not bad. On April 3, his son Jihoo was born, and he seemed to be on a good track, receiving 'Buff of powdered milk' in earnest.

Lee Yoo-chan hits a game between Doosan and Lotte at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 9th, with no outs and no outs in the top of the 8th inning. Busan = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.07.09/

Faced with an unexpected injury. On April 6, he led the game against Lotte in Busan by adding a steal to the multi-base (1 hit and 1 walk) but strongly collided with Lotte catcher Yoo Kang-nam in the process of rushing home. He was replaced complaining of elbow pain, and was later found to be out due to injury for more than six weeks. I wondered if I would miss the opportunity again this year.

When I returned from rehabilitation, the head coach changed. And he got the main shortstop. He completely filled the gap in shortstop with a batting average of 262 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of 0.676 in June. In July, the batting pace dropped a little, but instead, he flew more like a wing in defense. At the end of the first half, against Lotte in Busan, he played an active role in offense and defense, hitting four hits for two days and combining four double plays a day.

Watchers say he is better than Kim Jae-ho in his heyday with his shrewd footwork and strong shoulders. His fast feet, steal ability, and brilliant sliding, which have taken over the top spot as a pinch runner, are already well-known for their ability to not fall behind existing track and field teams such as Jung Soo-bin and Cho Soo-haeng. The reason why he was often used as a leadoff.

With newcomers such as Oh Myung-jin, Im Jong-sung and Park Joon-soon frequently employed in the infield, leadership is needed to lead them. This is the part where Lee Yoo-chan's presence shines.

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Cho Sung-hwan, acting manager of Doosan Bears, said, `He is the main shortstop who is no better than any other player. The view has expanded a lot. It fits well with the eye level of 'Doosan infield', which is different from the other team's starting point. As a leader of the entire infield as well as individual performance, I hope you will lead the entire team rather than doing well alone. He did not hide his passionate expectations, saying, "There is no shortage to succeed Kim Jae-ho."

Lee Yoo-chan said, `Looking back on the first half, there is a lot of regret, but there is still the second half. I want to continue the good trend at the end of the first half in the second half"I felt sorry for the team because of the last injury departure. It gives me strength to see my son grow up. I will do my best to become a proud father"I vowed.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.