Seoul: In their search for a new manager, the Kiwoom Heroes may end up promoting interim skipper Seol Jong-jin to the full-time role for the new season, sources said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Heroes are impressed with Seol's success in stabilizing the club in the second half of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season. The team's poor performance in the first half led to the dismissal of former manager Hong Won-ki in July. Despite remaining in last place in the 10-team KBO with a 47-88-4 record, the Heroes have shown improvement under Seol's leadership.
Before the All-Star break, the Heroes held a league-worst 27-61-3 record with a .307 winning percentage. Under Seol, the team has achieved a 20-27-1 record, placing them eighth in the league since the midseason break. Notably, they have recorded the third-highest winning percentage in September at 7-5-0, and have disrupted teams contending for postseason positions.
Since August, the Heroes have posted the highest batting average with runners in scoring position at .299, a significant improvement from their last-place standing of .240 in that category through July. This progress has been achieved largely without foreign hitter Ruben Cardenas, who was sidelined for the season in September due to a broken finger.
Seol Jong-jin previously managed the Heroes' minor league team before stepping into the interim manager role for the KBO squad. The Heroes' management values Seol's familiarity with the team's young players, which has been beneficial in the latter part of the season. The team is expected to announce their new manager by late September or early October.