SSG Landers appoints Jae-hyun Kim as its new head coach.
SSG announced today that it has appointed Kim Jae-hyun, former LG Twins power enhancement coordinator, as its new head coach.
SSG, which won its first Korean Series title since changing its name to SSG Landers last year, began the season with high expectations as the defending champions, but finished the season in third place in the league with 76 wins, three draws and 65 losses. In the postseason, the team reached the semifinals, but suffered a three-game series sweep at the hands of fourth-place NC (75 wins, 2 draws, 67 losses).
After the postseason, SSG’s turmoil began with the firing of head coach Kim Won-hyung, who had two years left on his contract. The controversy seemed to subside with the appointment of KT’s head of player development Lee Seung-yong as the new head coach, but a major controversy erupted when Hanwha named franchise star Kim Kang-min after failing to include him on the 35-man protected list in the second round of the draft held on March 22. SSG fans’ criticism of the team’s franchise star, 토토사이트 who was in talks for a permanent roster spot, was extremely heated, and eventually led to the departure of Kim Sung-yong, who stepped down as head of the R&D center on March 25 and then voluntarily resigned from the team on March 29.
With a number of pressing issues remaining, SSG chose Kim Jae-hyun as the new head coach to clean up the mess.
During his playing career, Kim played for SK (now SSG) from 2005 to 2010, winning three Korean Series titles. Since retiring from active duty, he has served as a hitting coach for the LA Dodgers, Yomiuri Giants, Hanwha Eagles, and the national team, as well as a baseball commentator, KBO technical committee member, and LG Twins power-enhancement coordinator. “Through his experience in the field, front office, and broadcast commentary, he has seen baseball from a variety of perspectives, expanding his understanding and network of players and baseball officials,” said SSG.
In a phone call with OSEN, Kim Jae-hyun, who has many tasks ahead of him, said, “Of course, I’m happy to take over, but I’m also feeling quite burdened. My heart is heavy because the team situation is not good. There have been a lot of things that have happened, and I feel a sense of responsibility because I have to take care of him,” he said.
“First of all, we are continuing to look at the data and understand the various situations,” said Kim Jae-hyun, who said, “We are trying to understand the status internally and decide what changes to make in the future.”
The first task SSG faces is re-signing internal free agent catcher Kim Min-sik and foreign hitter Guillermo Heredia.
“First of all, we are focusing on re-signing Kim Min-sik. I understand that we are also making progress on the contract with the foreign hitter. I hope to hear good news soon,” he explained.
Kim Jae-hyun, who led LG to the championship when he debuted in the KBO in 1994, served as LG’s strength and conditioning coordinator this year and helped the team win its first Korean Series title in 29 years. “It was very emotional to win the championship after 29 years,” said Kim, who recalled the victory. “We were able to see such enthusiasm and support thanks to the many fans who filled the ballpark. I learned so much this year while being at LG. Thank you so much,” he said in his final words to the LG fans.
Kim Jae-hyun, who returned to Incheon after 13 years, said, “I learned a lot from the experience of winning the Korean Series this year. SSG was also the champion last season, 안전놀이터 so I think we can make a better team by incorporating the good parts. I’m really excited to be back after 13 years, and I’m going to prepare really well so that the fans’ love for us doesn’t change. I’ll do my best to make sure that the SSG fans hear, ‘Kim Jae-hyun came and made the team really good,'” he said.