Sun Re-signs With Lions
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Sun Dong-yeol has agreed to a deal that will see him stay on as manager of the Samsung Lions.
The Daegu-based team said Monday that both sides have reached an agreement and the terms will be discussed after the season.
The deal for the 46-year-old is believed to be for three or five years.
This is the first time in Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) history that a current headman has re-signed before the All-Star break, which is scheduled for July 25.
The Lions, a four-time league champion, asked Sun after Sunday's game against the LG Twins to continue to lead the team after his current contract expires at the end of the season.
After a brilliant pro career, the three-time league Most Valuable Player (MVP) joined the Lions as an assistant coach in the 2004 season, and was promoted to the top job after that season.
He signed a five-year, 1.5 billion won ($1.2 million) deal, which included a 500-million-won signing bonus.
Sun guided the Lions to back-to-back championships in his first two seasons in 2005 and 2006 and helped the team reach the postseason for 12 straight years until last season.
The Lions currently rank fifth in the league, one game behind the fourth-place Lotte Giants.
``I was surprised to receive an offer after Saturday's game,'' Sun said.
``And I really appreciate that the Lions recognized what I have achieved with the team and made an offer during the season.
``With my contract locked up, I will be able to focus more on the season. I will do my best.''
Sun entered the league with the Haitai Tigers, a predecessor of the Kia Tigers, in 1985 and compiled a 146-40 record with a 1.20 ERA in his 10-year career in the Korean league.
The right-hander led the league in ERA from 1985 to 1991 and again in 1993 and in wins in 1986 and from 1989 to 1991 and in strikeouts in 1986 and from 1988 to 1991.
He also earned 132 saves as a closer.
Sun, a native of Gwangju, moved to the Chunichi Dragons in Japan in 1996 and compiled 98 saves for four seasons.