Professional baseball team Kiwoom Heroes made a dramatic decision to dismiss the head coach, Director General, and chief coach ahead of the second half of the season.
Kiwoom announced on the 14th, "We have notified head coach Hong Won-ki, Director General Ko Hyung-wook, and chief coach Kim Chang-hyun of their dismissal. Future team coach Seol Jong-jin will serve as acting head coach for the first team. The chief coach position for the first team will remain vacant for the time being. Additionally, Heo Seung-pil has been appointed as the new Director General."
Having recorded the league's lowest standings with 58 wins, 3 draws, and 83 losses (winning percentage .411) in 2023 and 58 wins and 86 losses (winning percentage .403) in 2024, Kiwoom currently sits at the bottom of the league again this season with 27 wins, 3 draws, and 61 losses (winning percentage .307). In a situation where three consecutive last-place finishes seem imminent, Kiwoom has made a bold decision to rejuvenate the team's atmosphere.
The newly appointed Director General Heo Seung-pil joined Hanwha Eagles in 2011, gaining experience in international operations before joining Kiwoom in 2016. Since then, he has been responsible for various international partnerships, including the agreement with MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks, major league posting tasks, and scouting foreign players. Since 2022, he has overseen player management and operations as the head of operations.
Director General Heo Seung-pil said in a call on the 14th, "I also find it a bit surprising to take on such an important role, feeling both bewildered and responsible. Head coach Hong Won-ki and Director General Ko Hyung-wook have been with the team for a long time, and they have done well, so I plan to carry on what should be inherited and amend what needs to be amended, aiming for as many victories as possible in the remaining season."
Currently, what draws the most interest in Kiwoom is the direction of selecting the next head coach. In this regard, Director General Heo Seung-pil explained, "It can be seen as a blank slate. Although we are currently underperforming, there has been a foundation that has led the club up to now. It is difficult to flip the club's philosophy and change it all at once. I thought that acting head coach Seol Jong-jin was the best fit to revitalize the atmosphere while maintaining the club's operational methods. However, I wouldn't say that he is the top priority for the next head coach at all."
Director General Heo Seung-pil expressed, "I apologize once more to our fans for the poor performance thus far, and I believe that our priority should be to show fans that we can bounce back by correcting what has gone wrong while maintaining what we have been doing well, in the remaining season and next year."
The biggest variable for Kiwoom in achieving good results in the second half will ultimately be the foreign players. Kiwoom has acknowledged the failure of using two foreign hitters (Yasiel Puig and Rubén Cardines) and has replaced Puig with Raúl Alcántara, successfully stabilizing its starting rotation. Although Kenny Rosenberg has been sidelined by injury, substitute foreign pitcher Lachlan Wells has performed as expected, providing significant support.
On the other hand, Stone Garrett, the substitute foreign hitter for Cardines, has not shown the expected performance. Currently, it seems likely that if Cardines fully recovers from his injury, he will return to the team, while Garrett will be leaving. Rosenberg's injury means that he will have to use another replacement slot, making it impossible to replace Cardines.
However, it is still uncertain whether Wells will replace Rosenberg. It remains to be seen if Wells can transition to a formal contract. Director General Heo Seung-pil remarked, "It seems that Wells' transition to a formal contract will be difficult due to personal issues. While our first option is to keep Wells through the end of the season, we are also exploring other players. Although Wells is very satisfied with life in Korea, he is contemplating the contract due to personal circumstances."
Director General Heo Seung-pil explained the reason for the bold decision made that day, stating, "There have been many criticisms and disappointments, but the remaining members of the club will do their best to strive for a turnaround. After the season ends, we will once again receive evaluations and criticisms, but we will work hard to earn praise for what we have done well."
Kiwoom, which is in desperate need of a turnaround in the second half, will have to address another uncertain variable if Wells' transition to a foreign player contract fails and they need to acquire a new foreign pitcher. It remains to be seen if Kiwoom, preparing for the second half with bold decisions, will achieve the results they desire and provide hope to their fans.
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