KT manager Lee Kang-chul was briefing the game ahead of the match against KIA held at Gwangju Stadium on the 6th.안전놀이터
Director Lee Kang-chul, who was answering reporters’ questions, was glad to find one person.
Kia Tigers’ Yang Hyeon-jong sneaked into the press conference room and participated in Lee Kang-chul’s briefing session. Yang brought a drink for Lee and greeted him with a bright smile.
The two have deep ties. When Yang joined Kia in 2007, its pitching coach was Lee Kang-cheol. Under the guidance of Lee, Yang has emerged as a left-handed ace representing the league.
Another pitcher who is breaking records one by one that manager Lee achieved when he was an active player is Yang Hyeon-jong. Yang is breaking the Tigers’ records one by one.
He won his 159th career victory in the 2022 season, beating coach Lee Kang-chul (152 wins). He struck out 1,814 in total, surpassing Lee’s 1,751 in that year.
Looking happily at Yang, Lee asked, “If I break any of my personal records, will I be able to break all of them now? Do I have any more?” Yang replied, “I broke all of them.”
There is something that Yang did not break this record. It is his 10th win for 10 consecutive years. When Yang said, “I didn’t break that record,” Lee said, “I have to save one.”
KT Director Lee Kang-chul. Yonhap News
He continued by saying “I can win 200 games,” while Yang replied, “I can do it.” Yang has 176 wins in his career. “I can win 200 games if I take the Kia Tigers’ lineup right now. I don’t think we can achieve 200 wins in the future. Song Jin-woo has many relief wins. All of Yang’s wins are starting from the beginning. I think he will never break this record.”
“He’s really amazing,” Lee continued by complimenting him, asking, “Didn’t he get 2,000 strikeouts?” Yang already had 2,000 strikeouts in the match against Lotte Giants in Gwangju on June 6. Yang repeatedly explained, “There are nine left to go, including Song Jin-woo’s record.” As he said, the 2048 strikeouts that Song Jin-woo achieved during his time with Binggrae will not be far away. Lee once again exclaimed, “That’s amazing.”
“If I hadn’t been to the U.S., I would have won 10 games and struck out 150 more. I would have won 15 games because it was a better time back then,” Yang said. Yang also left the KBO League for one season by advancing to the Major League in 2021.
“I can’t break her record in Korea. I don’t think even pitchers who can last a long time come out easily,” Lee said. “How do I throw it? Tell me.”
After the briefing, Lee headed to the manager’s office in a friendly manner with Yang. He showed his affection for Yang, who exceeded his own record.