“Then, what do Doosan fans do? (laughs).”
Lee Seung-yeop, head coach of the Doosan Bears, 메이저놀이터showed a somewhat awkward reaction to the keen interest in his first visit to Daegu. On the 25th, Doosan was scheduled to play the first game of the season between the Samsung Lions and the team of the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. However, it was difficult to start the game due to the rain that had fallen all day in Daegu from early morning, so it was decided to cancel the match at 4:07 pm.
Coach Lee said that as the match was canceled that day, his first visit to Daegu was even more difficult to realize. He said, “I don’t feel anything special yet. When I first said I was with Doosan, I actually felt a little different, but now I feel like I’m a member of Doosan. Can I play? If it’s canceled, what should I do with the pitcher rotation? I only thought about it. ‘I used to play here’, ‘It’s my hometown’, I don’t have those thoughts right now. It’s time to calm down,” he confessed.
In response to the reaction that Samsung fans might feel sad, Lee replied, “Then, what about Doosan fans?” and smiled. He continued, “Actually, I can’t forget the love and affection I received while playing for Samsung as a player. It’s where I was born and where I grew up, and I spent all my good times here. I am infinitely grateful.”
However, he said that now he should be more faithful to his duties as Doosan manager. Director Lee said, “We must clearly distinguish between public and private affairs. I started as a leader, and I, wearing a Doosan uniform, can I still show affection for Samsung? As long as I am wearing a Doosan uniform, I have to run and devote myself to Doosan. I would not have been able to wear the Doosan uniform. I believe you will understand.”
Samsung coach Park Jin-man welcomed Lee’s first visit to Daegu, albeit from a distance. It was also his old colleague, and even in terms of professional baseball box office, the return of ‘Lion King’ is definitely an interesting issue for fans.
Director Park said, “It can be a box office card for baseball. In an atmosphere where baseball is stagnant, fans are also more interested. In that respect, it seems that baseball fans are interested in a good atmosphere.” I was hoping for a good match.
On the other hand, Doosan and Samsung gave Kim Dong-joo and Lee Jae-hee, who were announced as starters on the 25th, a break, and on the 26th, Raul Alcantara and David Buchanan announced an ace match. It is expected that the first game of the series between Lee and Park will become even more intense.