New SSG Landers manager pledges 'player-centered' approach
New SSG Landers manager Lee Soong-yong speaks at his inaugural press conference in Incheon, Nov. 21. Yonhap
Unveiled as the new manager of the SSG Landers, Lee Soong-yong said Tuesday he will put his players above all else as he chases two rabbits — developing young talent and also winning ball games.
Lee, 52, was named the skipper of the Landers last Friday, succeeding Kim Won-hyong. The Landers won the 2022 Korean Series title under Kim and immediately rewarded him with a three-year extension that made him the highest-paid manager in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) at the time. However, after the Landers were swept in the first round of the postseason by the NC Dinos in October, the Landers fired Kim.
The Landers said they wanted to go in a new direction and sought a fresh voice to lead the charge. Lee will be managing for the first time, having earlier served as hitting coach, general manager, and head of player development for another KBO club, KT Wiz.
"In my book, the players are at the center of it all. I will try to bring out the best in them," Lee said at his inaugural press conference in the Landers' home city of Incheon. Lee spent the first six years of his 18-year playing career in the city. "I want to make it easy on the players to come talk to me. I am trying not to be an authoritarian figure."
"I want to emphasize two principles: playing as a team and playing with professionalism," Lee continued. "If anyone does anything detrimental to the team, I will not tolerate that. And it's also important to do the absolute best you can on the field. These are the two things I will stress the most."
Lee, who is signed for two years with an annual salary of 300 million won ($232,770), will wear No. 71, the same numeral he had on his back in his final season as a player.
In 2,001 career games, the former first baseman batted .281 with 162 home runs and 857 RBIs. Lee won four Korean Series titles with the Hyundai Unicorns in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2004.
He is the sixth former KBO player to have worked both as general manager and field manager. Immediately after his playing career ended, Lee worked as a color commentator on cable television.
Lee was the architect of the Wiz's 2021 Korean Series championship team, and he said his three-year stint as general manager was "a turning point" in his post-playing career.
"Working as general manager changed my perspective on baseball. It taught me how to run a club," Lee said. "Even though I have never been a field manager until now, I think I at least had second-hand experience as general manager."
New SSG Landers manager Lee Soong-yong, center, poses with players for his Korea Baseball Organization club during his inaugural press conference in Incheon, Nov. 21. Yonhap
With the Landers looking to usher in a new generation of players and nudge veterans out of the way, Lee said he will continue to show his respect for older players on the team, including former American League All-Star Choo Shin-soo, who is 41.
"I played until I was 40 years old. I will give veterans as much respect as possible, and help them take care of their body throughout the season," Lee said. "I will make good use of our veteran players, and at the same time, keep an eye on growth of some younger players. This is a good ball club with multiple titles in its history. The one thing that held this team back was that young players haven't quite stepped up while veterans were doing their part. I want to achieve more balance in that area."
The Landers had the third-best record in the regular season this year but underlying numbers showed that they were fortunate to finish the season at 76-65-3 (wins-losses-ties). When asked about his goal for 2024, Lee wouldn't commit to any specific number or target.
"I think it's more important to solidify the club and help younger players become more competitive," Lee said. "If they can improve, then we should be able to rank near the top in the standings."
Lee said he has been talking with the front office about finalizing his coaching staff. He did reveal that he wants to hire a former pitcher as his bench coach.
"Because I was an infielder, I will have the bench coach and the pitching coach run our pitching staff," Lee said. "I will give them my full trust."
Lee acknowledged that trying to win and develop players at the same time will be "a difficult task," something that the Landers' owner, Shinsegae Group Vice Chairman Chung Yong-jin, has specifically asked Lee to pull off.
"I think I was hired precisely for that role. If they had been thinking only about winning immediately, they would have found someone else," Lee said. "Using my experience as player, analyst, coach and general manager, I will try to catch both rabbits." (Yonhap)