Battle of right-handers set for opening game of Korean Series

Seoul, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- In the upcoming best-of-seven Korean Series between the KT Wiz and Samsung Lions, two former MVPs will face off as opposing managers for the first time. The two former MVPs are Lee Kang-chul of the KT Wiz and Park Jin-man of the Samsung Lions. Lee, who managed the Haitai Tigers (currently Kia Tigers) in 1996, was named the MVP of that year's Korean Series.

He helped his team win the championship by getting a complete game shutout in Game 3 and recording a save on one pitch in Game 5. Lee then pitched five and one third innings in Game 6, holding the Hyundai Unicorns to a run, securing his second victory over the series. Park, the Lions' manager now, was named the MVP in 2012. He had a stellar performance in the 2012 series, batting .320 and driving in the winning run in the top of the 12th inning of Game 3.

The two managers reminisced about their past encounters during the Korean Series media day. Lee quipped that Park swung at almost every pitch he threw during their first meeting in 1996. Park, on the other hand, remembered Lee as the most difficult pitcher to face during his career, praising his defensive skills.