The KIA Tigers are enjoying the festive atmosphere with their first Rookie of the Year in 36 years. Now, the many tasks of the stove are expected to speed up. First of all, it is the task of appointing a new commander-in-chief.
Eui-ri Lee was honored with the Rookie of the Year award at the 2021 KBO Awards held at the Imperial Palace Seoul Grand Ballroom Duve Hall on the 29th.
Eui-ri Lee, who graduated from Gwangju Il High School this year and wore the KIA uniform as the first pick, took a spot in the starting rotation and recorded 94⅔ innings in 19 games, 4 wins, 5 losses and a 3.61 ERA.
| ^ KIA Eui-ri Lee is happy after being crowned “Tigers Rookie of the Year” after 36 years. Photo = Reporter Kim Young-goo |
It is the first time in 36 years that KIA has produced a Rookie of the Year since Lee Soon-cheol (58), a baseball commentator for SBS in 1985. At that time, Lee was ranked as the Rookie of the Year with a batting average of 0.304, 112 hits, 12 homers, 50 RBIs and 31 stolen bases in 99 games.
For KIA, it’s a slump. On the same day, Jang Hyun-sik (26) also won the Hold King, creating a more festive atmosphere. Eui-ri Lee and Hyun-sik Jang are also candidates for awards at the upcoming awards ceremony.
However, KIA has many pending issues in the Stove League. First, a new commander must be appointed. After receiving the shabby score of ninth place for the first time in the 2021 season, KIA faced an unprecedented situation in which the CEO, general manager, and manager all resigned at once.
KIA, which has appointed Jang Jeong-seok as the new general manager, must first finish the appointment of a new commander. First of all, the task of appointing a director is the final stage. The new CEO Jun-young Choi and general manager Jeong-seok Jang are leading the charge. After the KBO awards ceremony, Director Jang will go to Gwangju to have a close discussion with CEO Choi.
The outline of the 2022 season is expected to be revealed only after the appointment of a manager is complete. Also, reinforcing power, such as a contract with FA (free agent) Yang Hyun-jong, who returned from the US, and recruitment of an external FA, are issues that need to be addressed.
Even in a festive atmosphere, KIA has to do a lot of work for a rebound in the 2022 season. This winter is more important for KIA than in previous years. You must have a system to rule as a consistently strong team. First of all, we need to hurry up with the appointment of a director.
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