"You guys are the sign of the team. You have to set an example."

The Lotte Giants spent the game quietly in their stoves. Nonetheless, they retained internal free agents, relief pitchers Kim Won-joong (32) and Koo Seung-min (35) of the relief team from the bullpen. They signed a four-year contract worth 5.4 billion won with Kim Won-joong, and two plus two years worth 2.1 billion won with Koo. After solving the biggest problem in the stove league, Lotte is strengthening its stability during the stove league.스포츠토토

For now, Kim Won-joong and Koo Seung-min are staying. They were two players who had been active in Lotte for more than 10 years. They joined forces together during their childhood and play a role as leaders of the pitching staff. They are highly trusted within the team due to their exemplary behavior and sincere attitude. 

Nonetheless, others will naturally feel sorry for him. Kim Sang-soo (37), who is more veteran than Kim Won-joong and Koo Seung-min, felt a lot of regret from players who are leaders of the pitching staff. Kim Sang-soo communicates with younger players a lot, gives advice, and does not hesitate to criticize them. This also applies to Kim Won-joong and Koo. 

As it was the FA season last year, Kim was cautious. However, as all of them were left after signing the FA contract, Kim conveyed his feelings to the two players without adding or subtracting from each other. Kim Won-joong and Koo Seung-min are also veteran players, but Kim Sang-soo had a lot to say.

"After signing the contract, we met and ate together and talked a lot. Actually, last year, they were free agents, so I didn't criticize them much. I've been a free agent, too. What an important year it is," he said, adding, "But after signing the contract, I criticized them a little bit."

In other words, they need to do better and lead the pitching staff by setting a better example. In Kim's eyes, the two players were not satisfied yet. Not all of Kim's words can be correct, but he criticized them based on facts. "I strongly said, 'You two are the team's flagship players. You should set an example.' Of course, both players are good players and work hard. However, hard work and results are another matter. We need to work hard and produce results."

"As bullpen pitchers are active, shouldn't we at least win first place in everything including ERA or hold figures? Shouldn't we also hear that our Lotte bullpen is the best in the KBO bullpen right now? I told these things to (former) Seung-min and (Kim) Won-joong," he said. "To do so, I hope you think about what to do, what to strengthen and what to do for our pitchers to unite. We need to tell younger players as well."

Kim's criticism and conviction continued. "I ask young pitchers. Who do you respect in our team? No one is confident. They should be role models for our team," Kim said. "Young players should be role models and encourage them to follow along with their passion, enthusiasm, and exemplary privacy. Without such role models, young players can't decide who they are. They followed along with YouTube videos and Japanese players followed suit. However, they don't falter when there are only two or three of their role models. I think they lack that kind of performance in our team's pitching part." 

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In other words, Kim Sang-soo claims that starting from trivial matters is the beginning. He believes that playing catch time should be treated carefully. "For example, if pitchers have 15 minutes to catch, some can finish it in 10 minutes while others can finish it in 7 minutes. I didn't understand that. Fifteen minutes is the most important time for me to work out, but I didn't get it. I didn't get it. It shouldn't be just relaxing my arms. I need to make up for my shortcomings and perfect them before pitching," he said. "I lacked such things, so I even criticized Seung-min and Won-joong, saying, 'You guys should do that.' That way, young players follow along and become a habit. If you keep following others while reading others' faces, it becomes a habit and a culture."

Eventually, it led to a story related to the formation of the team's culture, which Kim Sang-soo has consistently emphasized since he came to Lotte in 2023. He said, "If there is a change of one or two and even young children follow along, it becomes a culture. Lotte has not had this culture yet. What kind of team goes to the top five without culture. A team without culture cannot be at the top. A team with culture is at the top and won the championship. You can see who the leader of the team is and who is the role model."

"To Wonjung and Seungmin, 'You guys haven't been the leader among pitchers for the past five years. If so, the pitching staff would have been strong and the team would have been stronger. I told the two players that I want them to do it from now on." It was a barrage of criticism from Kim Sang-soo. 

Kim claimed to be a villain himself. "I don't usually give compliments. I don't usually give compliments to him. He is a senior who often criticizes him." Kim is spending his third season with Lotte, but he is doing his best, not thinking that Lotte is a team that has a brief chance to experience. He thus expressed his true feelings to Kim Won-joong, Koo Seung-min, and the FA duo. Will Kim Sang-soo's sincerity reach Kim Won-joong and Koo Seung-min? Will the FA bullpen duo be the true leader of the pitching staff who leads the team to the top.