Defensive Baseball, Struck Out!

Last Saturday, LG Twins suddenly fired its manager Kim Sung-geun (60, photo). Kim, however, put LG up to the Korean Series this year. Last May, when former manager Lee Kwong-eun left the team, Kim took the helm. Still, his contract has one more year till expiration. This is the third time a manager got fired even after succeeding in advancing to the Korean Series. In the past, Kim Young-duk and Chong Dong-jin had to leave Samsung in 1986 and in 1900, respectively. Including Kim Sung-geun, 4 of the total 8 pro-team managers have left the team they managed.

Why did the club make such decision? In the following, the case is explored in depth.

▽ Kim`s Style v. LG`s Style

On Nov. 13th, when the Korean Series was over, Kim and Twins` president Uh Yoon-tae (55) met person to person. In the meeting, Uh reportedly told Kim, "It`s not what LG pursues." Uh was one of the major forces behind LG`s winning of the Korean Series in 1994. His idea was making the baseball full of fun. Under his theme, he created a boom from 1993 to 1995. He argued, "Raise stars. Use aggressive strategies. And have the fans full of excitement!" In response, Kim said, "If I had one $1 bill and $10 bill, of course, I would use the latter. Now, I have only $1 bills. Needless to say, I have to use $1 bills in playing baseball." Kim has advanced Twins up to the Korean Series with his "defensive baseball." He did not stick to one pitcher. He used every possible pitcher in each game. Kim questioned in return, "We have no $10 bills at all. How could we play the aggressive baseball?"

This confrontation, however, began to emerge from the beginning of the season. President Uh, after serving as president in various LG pro teams, took office in last December. They first clashed with each other over players` salaries last year. Kim requested, "To boost up the spirits, we have to give them what they deserve." Uh just replied, "OK." But, Uh followed what the owner directed him to do. Consequently, LG`s start players like Lee Byung-gyu and Kim Jae-hyun filed for arbitration, failing to cut a deal with the team mamnagement.

▽ "No Future for LG As What It Is Now"

Even after the season was over, Uh and Kim collided over the composition of the coaching staff. This year, LG imported two pitching coaches from Japan. Uh insisted, "Japanese coaches be out." Kim, in response, refused to agree to two candidates, Lee Kwong-kil and Kye Hyung-chul. In response, Kim snapped and said, "Best results come out only in cooperation with people who understand you. There is nothing I can do without the authority to choose my own men."

Yesterday, Uh commented, "I don`t want to blame someone who is leaving. No future for LG as what it is now," implying the reason for Kim`s dismissal. He also said, "I will announce next manager in the upcoming week." Most people predict that Lee Kwong-won would take the helm next time. Lee took the helm when LG waged the aggressive baseball.

In the meanwhile, numerous fans have posted messages on the LG`s homepage www.lgtwins.com, criticizing Uh`s decision of firing manager Kim. For just one day, more than 1,000 messages were uploaded.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com