끝까지 싸운 전설의 4할 타자…백인천, 맥박 돌아왔지만 끝내 별세

Bae In-cheon, the legendary Korean baseball player and manager, passed away at the age of 84 on the morning of the 15th. After suffering from a severe brain hemorrhage, he regained his pulse and blood pressure at a nearby hospital but continued to decline, leading to his transfer to the Dongguk University Hospital. Fellow patients at the initial hospital reported that he had reportedly said, "I have no breath," prompting a rapid response from the news media, including the Korea Herald.

Upon his transfer to Dongguk University Hospital, Bae In-cheon's pulse showed signs of recovery, and he endured a full day of treatment in the intensive care unit while hooked up to a ventilator. However, he ultimately succumbed to his condition and took his last breath. Born in Wuji, China in 1942, Bae In-cheon began his career in semiprofessional baseball and went on to play in the Japanese Professional Baseball League (NPB) from 1963 to 1974, making over 1500 appearances. He also claimed the Pacific League batting title in 1975.

Rejoining the Korean Professional Baseball (KPB) scene in 1982, Bae In-cheon became the first coach of the MBC Chungju and later played as a player for the ELGs (1990-1991), Samsung Lions (1996-1997), and Lotte Giants (2002-2003). After stepping down from managerial duties, he served as a batting instructor for various teams, including Samsun Eagles, Hiagers, and Eskies (now Eskies-Renderers). Bae In-cheon transitioned to broadcasting as a sports commentator in the early 2000s.

The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) chose to hold a double-celebration funeral for Bae In-cheon, marking the second such event in the organization's history. The chief mourner was Kim So-shil, a well-respected figure in the baseball community, who previously served as the deputy general manager of the KPB.