Sports · Baseball · 3 hrs ago
Lotte’s new manager plans defensive overhaul and weighs team captain choice
The Lotte Giants have appointed Lee Dong-wook as manager, beginning a new effort to rebuild the South Korean baseball team in Busan.
Lee returns to his former club 20 years after leaving and led NC to the 2020 league title.
Lotte has missed the postseason for nine consecutive years, and Lee says he believes the team can reach it next season.
His plan for “smart baseball” combines data analysis, careful preparation and better use of each player’s strengths.
He says improving the team’s defense is a priority and plans to devote more time to defensive practice.
Lee is also considering who should captain the team: Jeon Jun-woo has held the role for three years, while Kim Won-jung and Han Dong-hee have also said they are willing to take it.
Lee will choose one of the three after taking more time to decide; the team is preparing for its November training camp in Miyazaki, Japan.
Lotte Giants’ new manager Lee Dong-wook says he will focus on improving the team’s defense as part of a broader “smart baseball” plan.
Lee was formally introduced at a ceremony in Busan on October 31, returning to his former team 20 years after leaving.
He said Lotte would devote more time to defensive practice and build consistent routines, using data and preparation to strengthen the team.
Lee also said he believes Lotte can reach the postseason next year, after nine consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance.
He has not decided who will be team captain, and is considering Jeon Jun-woo, Kim Won-jung and Han Dong-hee.
- Who
- Lotte Giants manager Lee Dong-wook, who is weighing whether Jeon Jun-woo, Kim Won-jung or Han Dong-hee should be captain.
- What
- Lee plans to improve Lotte’s defense and introduce “smart baseball”; he has not yet chosen the captain.
- When
- Lee was formally introduced on October 31, 2026.
- Where
- At a ceremony in Busan, South Korea.
- Why
- Lee says stronger defense, data-based preparation and team cohesion can improve Lotte’s chances of winning and reaching the postseason.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lee Dong-wook was formally introduced as Lotte’s manager at a ceremony in Busan.
Lee said he was still considering the captaincy and would decide among Jeon Jun-woo, Kim Won-jung and Han Dong-hee.
Lotte was due to leave for its training camp in Miyazaki, Japan.
- Manager
- Lee Dong-wook
- Captain candidates
- Jeon Jun-woo, Kim Won-jung and Han Dong-hee
- Return to Lotte
- 20 years after leaving the team
- Postseason drought
- Nine consecutive seasons without a postseason appearance
- Training camp departure
- November 4, for Miyazaki, Japan
3 sources
What people are saying
We will devote more time to defensive practice.
I think we can certainly reach the postseason next year.
Smart baseball is not being trapped by graphs on a monitor or a framework that constrains players, but a weapon that maximizes each individual's strengths and supplements weaknesses, giving confidence that the chance of winning is higher.