Han Jun-su's tears in controversy Why does Lee Bum-ho keep getting angry, but KIA can't fix it...This kind of game. Play is unacceptable
Sep 19, 2025
|
KIA Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho called a team meeting after losing 2-6 against the Hanwha Eagles in Gwangju on the 17th. Veteran second baseman Kim Sun-bin was replaced in the third inning due to an absurd fly ball catch error, and the dugout atmosphere was already frozen. There were two recorded errors, but the unrecorded and delicate plays overlapped, leading to a three-game losing streak.
I can guess what the atmosphere of the meeting was like. Lee delivered a strong message to the team for 20 to 30 minutes.
Manager Lee asked for proper play. I said, "I can't tolerate this kind of game or play, so I want the players to stay more alert for the rest of the game." If we play as we think, there will be no next year. He asked the players to change their thoughts now to do their best in the rest of the game. That's right. In any game, it is the player's job to do his best in one or two games, and it is the player's job. I hope the players will renew their minds and prepare once more."
KIA won the integrated championship last year when manager Lee took office for the first time. It seemed natural to maintain the throne for two consecutive years as he maintained his winning record and faced this season. KIA players were very willing to build a dynasty once again.
However, in a year, KIA fell to the bottom team. Last year's MVP Kim Do-young injured his hamstring three times, ending the season after playing in only 30 games. Na Sung-bum, Kim Sun-bin, Patrick Wisdom, James Nail, Adam Oler, Kwak Do-gyu, Yoon Young-chul, Kim Do-hyun, Hwang Dong-ha and Yoon Do-hyun were also not free from injury. Among them, nails Kwak Do-gyu, Yoon Young-chul, and Kim Do-hyun were out for the season.
It was difficult to create a team atmosphere that united as all the main players moaned due to injuries. In June, backup players who replaced the empty seats of the injured players made a sensation, showing KIA-like strong baseball, but from the second half of the year, they lost their strength due to repeated consecutive losses. It fell quickly from second place to eighth place, and after continuing to be pushed back in the semifinal fight, it is now almost impossible to go to autumn baseball.
I agree that the players are not motivated, but we cannot continue to play as if throwing away the rest of the game helplessly as coach Lee said. This message itself was necessary for the team.
Director Lee said, `If anyone doesn't play properly, I'll take it out boldly. The players should think twice. This year is not the end, but it is a situation where we have to start anew, so we need to change our thinking. He said, "You have to change the mindset to do your best at one game a day so that the team itself can live without coming down."
|
|
KIA players showed their concentration to the point where they led 2-1 until the seventh inning against Hanwha in Gwangju on the 18th. Kim Sun-bin, who was a replacement for the reprimand, often showed himself flying in defense and base running, and worked hard with one hit, one walk, and two steals in three at-bats.
However, before KIA turned the game around by scoring two points, there was a player who showed tears in the dugout. It's catcher Han Jun-su. It was after KIA starter Adam Oler threw a high fastball to Hanwha's No. 4 hitter Noh Si-hwan at the top of the fourth inning when the team faced 0-0.
Director Lee could not hide his anger, and the scene of scolding Han Jun-su in the dugout for a long time was caught on the broadcast screen. This is usually what happens when you mix the balls that don't fit the situation. The scene where the manager points out the catcher's ball mix itself is not unfamiliar, but the scene where Han Jun-su, who was scolded by Lee, finally couldn't hold back his tears was broadcasted and went overboardIt was pointed out that ' It was a scene where you can see how bad the current KIA atmosphere is.
Coach Lee had already instilled enough tension with the team meeting the day before. If the coach's strong points are repeated, the atmosphere of the team cannot be good. It has already been proven in several cases that a team with a bad squad atmosphere can never be at the top. If legitimate points are repeated and emotions are mixed, the initial intention can be lost.
In the end, KIA lost to Hanwha 3-4, allowing three runs in a crisis in the top of the eighth inning. Jeon Sang-hyun, the most trusted card in the KIA bullpen, was posted, but it was twisted when he gave up an infield hit to the right side of the pitcher to leadoff hitter Hwang Young-mook. In the end, Kim Sun-bin, who was playing so nervous, was also all over the place when he caught the next batter, pinch hitter Lee Do-yoon's grounder to second base. Choi In-ho's timely hit to the right broke down in the crisis of first and second bases with no outs.
KIA has not just fallen to eighth place. The team's atmosphere has been completely ruined by the last four consecutive losses. Ranking is not important for KIA right now. The front desk, the field, and the players all need to reflect on where to start with the broken team.
|
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
