'I'll do it if you tell me to. Properly!'The prepared novice director won the KS championship and fulfilled his dance promise

Oct 29, 2024

Players and fans cheered at the appearance of director Flower who performed a hundred-point "Pippi Dance". Gwangju = Reporter Jung Jae-geun

You did it right until the end. The novice coach, who won the 2024 pennant race and the Korean Series, impressed the team and fans with his cheerleader-like 'Pippi Dance'.

In Game 5 of the Korean Series held at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 28th, the KIA Tigers beat the Samsung Lions 7-5 to lift the championship trophy with 4 wins and 1 loss in the series.

It's a surprising result. Just before the start of off-season training in January this year, the decision to replace the coach was made suddenly. Lee Beom-ho, the youngest coach who arrived at the Australian spring camp and was tending the players, accepted a managerial offer from general manager Shim Jae-hak. The birth of a coach born in 1980 for the first time in professional baseball history.

New director Lee Bum-ho poses with CEO Choi Joon-young at the inauguration ceremony held on March 8. Gwangju = Reporter Song Jeong-heon

It was an unconventional choice that had no choice but to have a view of concern. He has shown such a strong personality and leadership that he has been called 'It's a coach' since he was a player, and as the KBO league's record of the most bases loaded (17), he has a temperament of a matchmaker, but it was natural to have questions about the ability of the youngest coach in his fifth year who suddenly took the helm in the middle of the camp.

Coach Lee Bum-ho, who became the head of the team, did not have strength on his shoulders. He treated the players just like he did when he was a coach. Coach Lee vowed to `create an atmosphere of laughter so that the players can play happily' and put it into practice.

Coach Lee Bum-ho, who won the opening game on March 23, is being baptized with congratulations. Gwangju = Reporter Heo Sang-wook

I didn't stick to it when there was a disagreement. Choi Hyung-woo, the oldest veteran two years younger than Lee, said, `There were times when I disagreed with the coach. Then most of the time, the coach lost. From the player's point of view, it's a grateful moment."

It could be indecisive, but it was bold in the moment of decision. During the season, pitching replacement was always quick, and the judgment was correct. In Game 5 of the Korean Series, as soon as Jeon Sang-hyun gave up the first pitch against Park Byung-ho in the eighth inning with two outs and runners on the first and second bases, he immediately put in Jung Hae-young to keep the victory.

Yang Hyun-jong was boldly replaced in the fifth inning of the season. The decision was decisive, but it left no impurity. Manager Lee approached the back of the 'Great Pitcher', which hurt his pride, and gave a 'back hug'. It was the opposite of the director's appearance of putting authority ahead. As a result, it was an opportunity for the player to reflect on himself and awaken.

Lee once said, `Experience as a manager of the KIA 2nd division helped me greatly to carry out the team management.' `At the moment I had to make a decision, I felt a lot that even if the judgment was a little delayed, the game would be wrong.' Throughout this season, the novice coach's choice has never been late.

On the 2024 Korean Series Media Day, KIA manager Lee Bum-ho looks at Yang Hyun-jong and says, `Let's dance together.' Gwangju = Reporter Jung Jae-geun

At the media day ahead of the Korean Series, an interesting question was asked "If you win, can you dance "Pippi Dance" on the mound on the day of the championship?" Then coach Lee "I won, but only one person should dance." I will dance with the players in a circle," he said without hesitation.

Game 5 of the Korean Series between KIA and Samsung at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 28th. KIA won the V12 championship by winning against Samsung. Director Lee Bum-ho is performing a dance ceremony with the players. Gwangju = Reporter Song Jeong-heon

The beginner director's perfect commitment

an unprecedented pledge that 'the commander will dance' Coach Lee did not hide behind the players at the ceremony after winning the Korean Series and freely came to the stands and danced. Fans and players cheered at the dance of director Flower, who performed everything from waves to hand movements perfectly.

'I'll do it if you tell me to. Perfectly!' Beginner coach Lee Bum-ho tore up this season.

Game 5 of the Korean Series between Samsung and KIA at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 28th. He won the Korean Series with a 7-5 victory in the top of the ninth inning. The players are rinsing coach Lee Bum-ho. Gwangju = Reporter Jung Jae-geun

cjg@sportschosun.com

'I'll do it if you tell me to. Properly!'The prepared novice director won the KS championship and fulfilled his dance promise

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