Firing A Championship Coach→Internal Politics In The Command Center→Legendary Shock Transfers→Departure Of The Head Coach... How Will The Turbulent SSG Solve The 'mountain Of Tasks'?“
Back To Blogs List
From three consecutive semi-playoff losses to a change of commanders for the first and second teams, an unexpected departure of veteran players and a change of head coach, SSG Landers has been through a lot in one month. In a positive way, it was a month of change, but in another way, they were the team with the most noise.
After starting the 2023 season with the goal of winning a second consecutive title, SSG had a bumpy ride and finished the regular season in third place, but after coming to terms with a less-than-stellar postseason, they began to make big changes. Here's what happened in one month.
Three consecutive POs and a winning coach stepped down
SSG, the third-place team in the regular season, faced NC Dinos, the winner of the wild-card game, in the semifinals, but after dropping games one and two with Roenis Elias and Kwang-hyun Kim, they lost game three, ending their fall baseball after three games. Fans and players alike were devastated.
Less than a week later, SSG notified the team's head coach Kim Won-hyung that his contract was terminated. He had two years left on his contract, as he had signed a three-year extension after the 2022 season, but the organization explained that they were looking for a new coach for reasons of change and innovation.
However, Kim was highly praised for being a "winning coach" who led the team to the top of the standings this year despite a number of injuries. Some speculated that the club was trying to "erase the SK colors" by parting ways with Kim.
SSG was caught up in coaching rumors during the PS period
SSG made changes to its coaching staff in earnest this month. On the first of this month, SSG informed some coaches, including pitching coach Chae Byung-yong and defense coach Son Ji-hwan, that they would not be rehired. The next day, the team appointed Son Si-heon as the new head coach of the Futures.
While it has not been decided who will succeed Kim Won-hyung at the helm of the first team, reports have emerged that LG Twins first-team hitting coach Lee Ho-joon was named the new manager after the NC and KT Wiz finished their playoffs. Neither SSG nor LG nor Lee, whose name was mentioned, were surprised.
At the time, manager Kim Sung-yong said, "There is absolutely no such thing. After the Korean Series is over, we will shortlist candidates for the final interview, and then we will select the head coach after the interview." "I don't think this story should come out while we are preparing for the Korean Series, but we are also embarrassed because the article came out," he said.
Eventually, SSG finalized the selection of the new head coach by signing a two-year, 900 million won contract with Lee on July 17, but the process was far from smooth.
◆Veteran disrespected‥One-club man's shock move
The pinnacle was the second draft. SSG bolstered its infield by selecting catchers Park Dae-on and Shin Beom-soo in the first and third rounds, respectively, through the second draft on the 22nd. However, they said goodbye to veteran outfielder Kim Kang-min (4th round, Hanwha) along with infielders Choi Joo-hwan (1st round, Kiwoom), Choi Hang (3rd round, Rodeo), and Cho Sung-hoon (4th round, Kiwoom).
Kim Kang-min, the "one-club man" who played with the same team for 23 years since 2001, was a symbol of Incheon baseball, but was removed from the 35-man protected list ahead of the second round of the draft. Both the club and the player have been discussing retirement and extending his playing career, with the club considering a coaching program and a farewell game.
That didn't mean his retirement was finalized, and the organization hadn't put any "safeguards" in place. Hanwha, in need of a veteran outfielder, quickly snatched up Kim Kang-min, and the player himself decided to continue his career with Hanwha.
The SSG players found it difficult to accept the parting of ways. Pitcher Kim Kwang-hyun, who won five Korean Series titles with Kim Kang-min, posted on his Instagram that day, "They say social media is a waste of life, but I have to do it today. I respect someone's choice, but I don't think 23 years should be ignored. Goodbye brother. It's really cold today," and expressed his regret. Outfielder Han Yoo-seom posted a photo of himself with Kim Kang-min with the captions, "Is this right?" and "Kang-min, I'll be home soon.
Kim Kang-min, who released a letter written by himself through Hanwha, said, "I was very happy playing baseball as a one-club man for 23 years. I'm sorry that I feel like I'm leaving in debt." "I'm going to keep the unconditional love and precious memories you sent me and try to regain my strength in a new team. Thank you very much."
◆Captain resigns after one year... A lot of work to be done
In the end, SSG decided to take personnel measures against Kim, stating in the club's official press release on the 25th, "We are changing the position of Kim Sung-yong to the head of the R&D center (formerly the development team) to take responsibility for the controversy that occurred during the recent manager and coach appointments and the second draft." It's safe to say that the aftermath of Kim's departure led to the change.
"We plan to appoint a new head coach as soon as possible by establishing objective selection criteria and selecting candidates," the club explained. "Until a new head coach is appointed, the role of head coach will be centered on CEO Min Kyung-sam to ensure that there is no work gap."
It's been a month since the end of the semi-playoffs and the change of leadership, but SSG hasn't even scratched the surface of the issues that need to be addressed during the Stovrig.
For now, re-signing and signing foreign players is the biggest issue. The jury is still out on whether salary negotiations will be smooth sailing or a bumpy ride. Negotiations with Kim Min-sik, the team's main catcher, who is eligible for free agency, also remain.
With the veteran players as the mainstay of the team, the average age is high, and the discovery and development of younger players was a necessary change. However, there are question marks as to whether the players and fans are happy with the situation.
Comments