Defending KBO champions Twins look to win 2nd straight title, build dynasty

Managers of the 10 clubs in the Korea Baseball Organization are at the start of the media day in Seoul, March 22. Yonhap

After his team ended a 29-year title drought in Korean baseball in 2023, LG Twins manager Youm Kyoung-youb said Friday he will start laying the foundation for a dynasty in 2024.

The new Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season begins with five games involving all 10 clubs on Saturday. At the annual media day, Youm voiced confidence that the Twins will repeat as the Korean Series champions.

The league has not seen back-to-back champions since the Doosan Bears in 2015 and 2016.

LG Twins manager Youm Kyoung-youb speaks during the Korea Baseball Organization media day in Seoul, March 22. Yonhap

"Since the start of spring training and all the way through the preseason, we have been doing all the things we need to get ready for the season," Youm said. "Our veterans have been leading the way and setting good examples. I think we're better prepared for this season than any other previous season. Baseball is never easy, but we're going to work hard for our second straight title."

Youm said he entered spring training looking to ensure the continued growth of mainstays, rather than the development of new faces. But he quickly changed his mind, because he wanted the Twins to enjoy long-term success.

"Our goal is to make this the first year of our dynasty," Youm said. "We want to keep developing young players. And if we can get a couple of young players to take the next step this year, I believe it will give us momentum to build a dynasty."

KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul speaks during the Korea Baseball Organization media day in Seoul, March 22. Yonhap

The Twins defeated the KT Wiz in last year's Korean Series, winning four straight games after dropping the opener. The Wiz climbed from last place in June to second place in the regular season, before making their run to the championship series in the postseason.

"We had a magical run last year. But hopefully, we'll have an easier time during the regular season," Lee said. "We want to finish in a higher place than LG this year, too."

The Twins and the Wiz are once again considered among the title contenders this year. Among nonplayoff clubs from 2023, the Hanwha Eagles may sneak into the postseason, after acquiring some veterans in recent offseasons.

The biggest of them all is Ryu Hyun-jin, the 2019 major league ERA champion who has rejoined his former KBO club last month.

"I think we have a much different team this year compared with recent seasons," Eagles manager Choi Won-ho said. "With Ryu Hyun-jin, we have the kind of pitcher that other teams don't. We've been rebuilding over the past three years and haven't been winning a ton of games. But I think now is the time for us to start moving up."

The SSG Landers aren't being talked about as a postseason contender, after winning it all in 2022 and reaching the postseason again in 2023. Their new manager, Lee Soong-yong, said he didn't mind the underdog label.

"I think we've gained confidence during the preseason," he said. "I know a lot of pundits don't see us as a top-five team. But what makes baseball so great is that predictions can often go wrong."

Lee is one of three new skippers for this season, along with Lee Bum-ho of the Kia Tigers and Kim Tae-hyoung of the Lotte Giants.

The Tigers and the Giants both missed the postseason in 2023, and the new managers are determined to change that.

"We want to realize our dream this year," said Lee Bum-ho, who was hired in February. "I will try to win the championship in my first season."

Kim also said reaching the postseason is the goal but added, "We'll try to let our actions on the field do the talking." (Yonhap)