The professional baseball team KIA Tigers won the Korean Series again in seven years after winning in 2017. The victory of the KIA Tigers has a deep meaning as it has opened the era of 10 million baseball audiences. As it is the most popular sport in Korea, there are quite a few fans of the KIA Tigers among celebrities who are externally influential. Sports Seoul gathered congratulatory remarks from stars who were happy about the victory of the KIA Tigers as if it were their job.
“Friend, congratulations on winning!”
Yang Dong-geun, head coach of Ulsan Hyundai Mobis in professional basketball, delivered a congratulatory message to KIA coach Lee Bum-ho, who won the combined championship. Coach Yang and coach Lee, who have been best friends since their days as active players, have continued their friendship. Even when coach Lee Bum-ho retired from active duty at Gwangju Kia Champions Field in July 2019, coach Yang visited the baseball stadium in person.
“I got to know him since I was a student at Hanyang University. I got to know him through the arrangement of coach Lee Young-soo, who was a college colleague at the time, and we really hit it off. Despite the different events, Lee is a friend who I can have open-minded talks with,” Yang said.
Because baseball and basketball seasons do not overlap, there were many cases where they cheered each other on in-person every offseason. In summer, coach Yang visited the ballpark to cheer for coach Lee, and in winter, coach Lee visited the basketball court to see coach Yang. One of the people who had open-minded conversations when Lee was considering retiring from active duty was also coach Yang.
As such, he had many things in common. After joining the pro league, he quickly became a main player of his team. He displayed strong leadership in leading the team, not only in terms of skills. As a result, Yang won a whopping six championships while he was active. Lee also achieved the combined championship at Kia in 2017. They are Yang and Lee, who also have a crossroads of “captain” when they were active.
“I’m always watching and rooting for Lee Bum-ho’s KIA Tigers. I’m very happy that Kia led by Lee Bum-ho won the combined championship this year,” Yang said. “Congratulations on Kia’s V12. I wish both Lee and KIA success. My friend, congratulations on your victory.” 안전놀이터
