New Bears manager promises 'many victories' in new KBO season

Doosan Bears manager Kim Won-hyong speaks to reporters at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Jan. 15. Yonhap

As he takes over a team coming off a disappointing season, new Doosan Bears manager Kim Won-hyong on Thursday promised to deliver "many victories" in 2026.

"Professional sports teams have to bring joy to fans," Kim told reporters after attending a ceremony marking the Bears' founding anniversary at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. "And we can do so with many victories."

The Bears finished the 2025 Korea Baseball Organization season in ninth place among 10 teams with a win-loss-tie record of 61-77-6. Manager Lee Seung-yuop resigned in June, in the middle of the final year of his three-year deal, and interim boss Cho Sung-hwan was not brought back.

Kim, who led the SSG Landers to a Korean Series title in 2022, is back with the Bears after serving as their pitching coach from 2019 to 2020.

"The stadium and the clubhouse are all very familiar," Kim said. "During my playing career, I always wanted to win as much as possible. The important thing for us in the new season is how well we can perform and how many games we can win."

The Bears have been busy this offseason. They made a big splash in free agency by signing veteran shortstop Park Chan-ho, who brings proven defensive chops with speed and contact ability.

"Obviously, he will be our starting shortstop and he will have to be prepared to handle a lot of games," the manager said. "We will have some competition at other infield positions, and that's great for the team. I can already picture a few players battling hard for their opportunity during spring training."

Park, who donned the full Bears uniform for the first time Thursday, said he will try to put up better numbers at the plate this year than the last, when he batted .287 with 18 doubles and 148 hits in 134 games.

In the same number of games in 2024, Park set career highs with a .307 average, 24 doubles and 158 hits.

"I just have to hit better. I have to be more productive offensively to live up to my contract," said Park, who inked a four-year deal worth 8 billion won (US$5.45 million). "And defense is a given."

Captain Yang Eui-ji welcomed Park to the team, saying a quality shortstop like him can stabilize the entire infield.

Yang also said he will be ready to do more dirty work for the team in the new year.

"I have to get my hands dirty at times and help younger guys along the way," the 38-year-old said. "That's how we can get better as a team. I think I have maybe three or four more years as a player. I want to play hard and have fun, and instead of worrying about individual numbers, I want to help the team as much as I can."

Yang admitted the vibe in the dugout wasn't always ideal at points last year and he wants to change that this year.

"I want to create a fun environment for our younger players so that they can go out there and play with confidence," Yang added.