Reporter Chae Tae-byeong of Money Today | 2023.02.09 07:40
Coach Kim Seong-geun (81), known as ‘Yasin’ (god of baseball) in the domestic baseball world, looked back on his baseball life.
On the 8th, TV entertainment ‘You Quiz on the Block’ (You Quiz), director Kim Seong-geun appeared as a guest and met MCs Yoo Jae-seok and Jo Se-ho.
Coach Kim Seong-geun is famous as the master of the era who won 1384 wins in 2646 Korean professional baseball games. He served as manager of seven clubs, including OB Bears, Pacific Dolphins, Samsung Lions, Ssangbangwool Raiders, LG Twins, SK Wyverns, and Hanwha Eagles.
Yoo Jae-seok asked about the entertainment show ‘Strongest Baseball’, which director Kim decided to appear in recently. Kim Seong-geun said, “I turned down (an appearance offer) for about a week,” and said, “But when I saw the game on TV, I was serious. I accepted the appearance because I wanted to try it out that.”
He heard an anecdote about retired players appearing in the strongest baseball, saying, “Getting money (appearance fee) means being a professional,” and admonished them to act like a ‘professional’.
Manager Kim Seong-geun brought laughter by revealing that Lee Seung-yeop, who led the strongest baseball before him, “(Lee Seung-yeop) bought the building in front of my house.” Next, director Kim, who revealed that he is Korean-Japanese, recalled his poor childhood. He said, “I started playing baseball when I was in the first year of high school.”
At the time, he went out to deliver milk at dawn to earn school fees, and at this time, he revealed that he was practicing running. Director Kim explained, “I ran and measured seconds while delivering milk,” and “I worked hard with the conviction that I should make up for my lack.”
Director Kim also shared an anecdote about his family’s opposition to permanent naturalization. He said, “When I decided to become a permanent native (of Korea), my family was strongly against it.” “At that time, Korea and Japan did not have diplomatic relations. I promised,” he said.
Director Kim Seong-geun also shared the experience of three cancer surgeries. He did not reveal the exact name of the disease, but said, “I’ve only had cancer surgery three times.” “After the operation, I put on diapers and went to the training ground. He revealed his philosophy, “(When doing something), I have to risk life and death that much,” and “If I want to live comfortably, I can’t be a leader.”
Finally, coach Kim said, “Baseball to me is the same as the heart.” “The heart is a lifeline everywhere. My day is good because there is baseball.” He added, “I read books because of baseball, and when I play baseball, time flies like a knife.”
When asked if he would play baseball even if he were born again, coach Kim said, “Instead of being born again, I want to extend my baseball life (now).” “My baseball life is 70 points out of 100. I want to,” he added.
[저작권자 @머니투데이, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]
