Bears manager not relaxing even with club firmly in KBO postseason position

In the final days of South Korea's baseball season, the Doosan Bears have secured a firm position in the KBO postseason standings. With only 29 games remaining before their match against the Kiwoom Heroes on Friday, the Bears boast an eight-game advantage over the nearest competitor, the NC Dinos, who currently hold a 59-52-4 record. The Dinos, with a 49-58-2 record, have six games to spare, making their climb to catch up difficult.

However, Bears' manager Kim Won-hyong remains vigilant, stating he will not ease up until his team clinches the postseason berth. The manager admits that he finds it challenging to relax, a trait he acknowledges as both a strength and weakness. Kim has never been able to unwind, whether as a player or as a manager, and expresses a desire to reduce his anxiety. He emphasizes that regardless of how many games they lead, he wants his team to keep winning.

The manager also mentions that the upcoming Asian Games will significantly impact the Bears' season. The KBO requires each team to send up to three players to the national team for the baseball tournament, which runs from September 21 to 27. National team members will report for training camp on September 14, but the KBO regular season will not be disrupted. For the Bears, this means the loss of key players Gwak Been, Choi Min-seok, and Park Jun-soon, who have been called up for national team duty.

Kim notes that his anxiety level will rise during the Asian Games, stating, "This is no time to relax." He declines to share a specific ranking position he would like to achieve, but he remains confident in his team's capabilities, saying, "I believe that we are capable of being in a better position." Kim vows to keep his team on track, as he cannot afford to take his foot off the pedal.