Doosan Bears Appoint Kim Won-hyung as 12th Manager! Will the 'Wire-to-Wire Championship' DNA Be Transplanted? (Contract Details & Rebuilding Hustle Doo)
The Doosan Bears announced a new leap forward on Monday, the 20th, by appointing Kim Won-hyung (53), the national baseball team's pitching coach, as their 12th manager. The contract is for 2+1 years, up to a maximum of 2 billion KRW (500 million KRW signing bonus, 500 million KRW annual salary each), signaling Doosan's high expectations for Manager Kim Won-hyung. With a shining career that includes a 'wire-to-wire' championship, can Manager Kim Won-hyung truly rebuild the 'Hustle Doo' culture of the Doosan Bears and instill championship DNA once again? Let's take a closer look at his player, coach, and manager career!
1. Who is the New Manager Kim Won-hyung? (Former Player 'Little Prince' Legendary Pitcher)
Manager Kim Won-hyung is a legendary pitcher from the KBO League who debuted professionally with the Ssangbangwool Raiders in 1991, after attending Jeonju Dong Middle School and Jeonju High School.
- 21 Seasons Career Total: 545 games, 134 wins, 144 losses, 26 saves, 12 holds, and an ERA of 3.92. (9th in overall wins, 2nd in overall losses)
- Nickname 'Little Prince': He was loved by many baseball fans for his youthful appearance.
- Signature Pitch: He dominated batters with his exceptional '12-6 power curve,' often called a legendary magic pitch, and high-level control.
- Glory and Regret: As a founding member of the Ssangbangwool Raiders and a living witness to the team's history, he played a crucial role but was also called a 'tragic pitcher' due to many losses stemming from the team's overall strength.
- SK Wyverns Integrated Championship: Joined the SK Wyverns as a founding member in 2000, and as a veteran and key member during SK's integrated championships in 2007, 2008, and 2010, he earned his first championship ring as a player.
2. Coaching Career: Special Connection with Doosan & Proved 'Pitcher Development Ability'
After retiring as a player, Manager Kim Won-hyung steadily pursued a coaching career, notably having a special connection with the Doosan Bears.
- SK Wyverns Coach: Served as playing coach, pitching coach, and head coach at SK until 2016.
- Lotte Giants Coach: Active as 1st team pitching coach and head coach for the Lotte Giants during the 2017-2018 seasons.
- ✨ Doosan Bears Pitching Coach (2019-2020): Served as the main pitching coach for the Doosan Bears for two years, significantly contributing to their integrated championship in the 2019 season. Particularly, during the two seasons he was in charge of the pitching staff, the Doosan Bears recorded an ERA of 3.91, ranking 1st among 10 teams during this period, recognizing his excellent pitching development and management skills. He is credited with fostering the growth of young pitchers through continuous communication.
3. SSG Landers Manager Era: KBO's First 'Wire-to-Wire' Championship!
After his tenure as Doosan's coach, Manager Kim Won-hyung took the helm of the SSG Landers (formerly SK Wyverns) and led them to a historic championship.
- First Manager of SSG Landers: Appointed as the first manager of SSG Landers before the 2021 season.
- 2021 Season: Showed potential by leading the team to 6th place in his first year.
- 🏆 2022 Season Integrated Championship: In just his second year, he led the KBO League's first-ever 'wire-to-wire' championship, maintaining the top spot throughout the season, including a 10-game winning streak from opening day. By defeating the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korean Series, he became the second person in KBO history to experience a championship as a player, coach, and manager.
- Contract Renewal and Dismissal: After winning the 2022 season, he renewed his contract for a total of 2.2 billion KRW but was dismissed after a 3-game losing streak against the NC Dinos in the 2023 semi-playoffs. He left behind an excellent record during his 3-year tenure, with two postseason appearances and one Korean Series championship (230 wins, 21 ties, 181 losses, winning percentage 0.560).
- Recent Status: After completing coaching training with the Japan SoftBank Hawks in 2024, he maintained his field sense by serving as the national team's pitching coach this year.
4. Doosan Bears' Expectations for Manager Kim Won-hyung:
The Doosan Bears club made the following statements regarding the appointment of Manager Kim Won-hyung:
- 'Wire-to-Wire' Championship Experience: Highly valued his proven championship experience.
- Pitcher Development and Management Skills: Once again, they expect his outstanding pitching staff management, which shined during his previous time as Doosan's coach.
- Development of Young Players: They judged him as "the right person to build a championship-contending team through healthy competition among young players," anticipating synergy with the young roster responsible for the team's future.
Manager Kim Won-hyung stated his ambition, "It is an immense honor and a heavy responsibility to take the helm of the prestigious Doosan Bears. I will take the lead in rebuilding the 'Hustle Doo' culture, which has always pressed opponents with its dynamic play on the field, and deliver感动 to our fans."
The Start of a New 'Hustle Doo', Attention on Manager Kim Won-hyung's Leadership!
From a legendary pitcher known as the 'Little Prince' to a renowned manager who led a 'wire-to-wire' championship, and now returning as the Doosan Bears' manager, Kim Won-hyung's rich experience and proven leadership are expected to inject new vitality into the struggling Doosan Bears. We look forward to the Doosan Bears' 2025 season, where they will once again become strong championship contenders by leading the growth of young players and rebuilding the 'Hustle Doo' spirit. The attention of baseball fans is focused on Manager Kim Won-hyung's new leadership!
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