Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul feeling pressure with his team favored to win Korean Series

By Yoo Jee-ho

SUWON, South Korea, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- Whenever he is managing in a postseason game, KT Wiz skipper Lee Kang-chul says he tries to keep an optimistic mindset -- that he has already done his job getting his club to that point at all and there was no need to stress over every game.

But Lee admitted Tuesday things will be different this time, as the Wiz were about to begin the Korean Series against the Samsung Lions.

The Wiz, the regular-season champions by eight games over the Lions, are the heavy favorites. And on Oct. 19, the Wiz rewarded Lee by making him the highest-paid manager in Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) history, signing him to a three-year extension worth 3.4 billion won (US$2.5 million).

"I have just signed my new contract, and all of you in the media keep saying we are a great team. So there is no hiding for me now," Lee said with a smile during his pregame media availability at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, some 30 kilometers south of Seoul. "When we won our first title in 2021, I tried to see the Korean Series games as our bonus and I kept telling myself we had already done enough to get there. But I will not be able to do that this time. I am putting more pressure on myself to get it done."

The Wiz, who earned a bye to the Korean Series, have not played since their final regular-season game on Oct. 12. But Lee said he was not concerned about any rust for his players.

"We played three scrimmages and the guys were swinging the bats really well," Lee said. "They looked good during batting practice, too. I just hope our starter for today (Davis Daniel) will do his thing. If he can get past the first couple of hitters, he will be fine."

With the Wiz lacking a viable left-handed reliever against the left-heavy Lions lineup, starting pitcher Logan Allen may be moved to the bullpen for the Korean Series, at least in earlier games.

When asked about his plans, Lee played it close to the vest, saying, "You will have to watch the game."

jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)

Keywords

Articles with issue keywords