"Forget the Kind Mentor"... Why Lee Bum-ho, in His Third Year as Manager, Has Embraced the Role of a Tough Trainer

[Financial News] The year 2026 has dawned. Amid the chilly winds of the offseason, opinions about the Kia Tigers are mixed—some worry, others hope. With the departure of starting shortstop Chan Ho Park and slugger Choi Hyoung-woo, fans are left uneasy.
But let's rewind to just a month ago. On the day he returned from the final camp in Okinawa last December, Lee Bum-ho delivered a message that was more than a simple greeting. It was a desperate 'declaration of survival' from a manager entering his third year, and a signal that his era of 'big brother leadership' had ended.
For the past two years, Lee Bum-ho had led his players with encouragement and support. But at the Okinawa camp, that gentle leader was nowhere to be found.
He pushed the younger players to their limits and intensified the training regimen. His reason for wielding the metaphorical whip was not a lack of skill, but to build 'mental resilience.'

In an interview at the time, Lee said, "Veteran players can reset themselves immediately after a mistake, thinking, 'Why did I do that?' But it's different for younger players. One mistake can affect their mindset and linger throughout the game," he observed.
Baseball is a sport of mistakes. Young players often make the fatal error of letting a single defensive miscue unravel their confidence. Lee Bum-ho recognized this precisely. Without the composure of a seasoned veteran, a soft heart alone is not enough to survive in the professional jungle.
He continued, "I'm not sure whether the intense training was seen as a strength or a weakness, but players need a fiercer focus than they realize to survive as pros," he emphasized. "That's why I was determined to make them stronger."


The grueling training in Okinawa served as psychological tempering, forcing players to overcome the sense of defeat and embarrassment that follows mistakes.
Lee Bum-ho also addressed concerns about a weakened roster, stating firmly, "We cannot afford to be weaker than last year." He made it clear he would not hide behind the excuse of rebuilding, even with key players like Chan Ho Park and Choi Hyoung-woo gone.
Instead, he countered, "Who knows if a young pitcher like Kim Tae-hyung will suddenly break out?" He hinted at a vision for the team where, rather than relying on star players, prepared young talents like O Seon-woo, Park Min, and Jeong Hyeonchang would emerge with fierce determination.

There is one condition, however. Players must let go of their 'fragile hearts' and not dwell on mistakes. Lee's comment, "I regret not being able to adapt to variables last year," ultimately serves as a warning: players who are not mentally prepared will not be given opportunities.
The kind mentor was left behind in Okinawa. Now, only those fierce Tigers who remain unshaken after mistakes will earn a place on Lee Bum-ho's squad.
The Amami Oshima Island spring camp is just around the corner. No experts are picking the Kia Tigers as a top-five contender for 2026. But the real baseball of Lee Bum-ho begins now.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter