Team Korea Manager Positive Despite Olympic Qualifier Loss

“I will compensate for our team’s loss in the Korean Series at the Beijing Olympics,” said Korean national baseball team manager Kim Gyeong-mun (Doosan) in late October, after having lost four games against SK despite two wins to start the series.

Kim never really soared high as a player. He joined OB (currently Doosan) in 1982 when the Korean professional baseball was founded, and batted .220 with six homeruns and 126 RBI for his career until he retired in 1991. However, he was the core member of Doosan’s Korean Series victory as coach, and managed to take his team to second place in this year’s pennant race. His success is largely due to his philosophy of ‘trusting baseball,’ employing young players such as rookie Lim Tae-hun.

Kim lost to Japan, 3-4 on Sunday in the Beijing Olympics Asian qualifying game in Taichung, Taiwan.

However, Kim said Monday, “Although we lost the automatic qualifier to the Olympics, we will not give up,” and added, “I have faith our team will be able to make it in the second round qualifiers next March in Taiwan against eight countries, including Mexico, Canada, and England. We still have hope for an Olympic medal.”

The reason for his confidence is his first-year national team players such as Lee Jong-uk and Goh Yeong-min (Doosan).

Manager Kim said he would employ Korean league players in next March. He is planning to include SK rookie pitcher Kim Gwang-hyeon, who threw 150 kmph in the Korean Series. In the second round qualifiers next year, Lee Seung-yeob (Yomiuri) will be able to recover from his left thumb injury to join the team as well.

Korea smashed the Philippines Monday with 16 hits, including Goh Yeong-min’s 2-run homer, 13-1. Korea currently has two wins and a loss in Olympic qualifier play.

beetlez@donga.com