Retired KBO legends enjoying life after baseball
By Yoo Jee-ho
INCHEON, Sept. 18 (Yonhap) -- Five years removed from his last game in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), former Samsung Lions slugger Lee Seung-yuop is getting his competitive juice flowing in different ways these days.
When he is not analyzing KBO games in the broadcast booth, Lee is acting as a manager for a team on a popular baseball reality show, leading a team of retired players against high school and college stars.
"We don't want to take it easy on anyone. I keep telling guys that we have to take every game seriously to send the right message to young amateurs," Lee said in a group interview Friday in Incheon, just west of Seoul, as he was gearing up for the FTX MLB Home Run Derby X. "And I am still a baseball guy through and through. I may not be playing professionally any more, but I still love the game so much. I make sure to go watch games in person whenever I have a chance."

Participants of the FTX MLB Home Run Derby X pose for photos at Paradise City Hotel in Incheon, just west of Seoul, on Sept. 16, 2022. From left: former Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) player Lee Seung-yuop, South Korean short track speed skater Kwak Yoon-gy, former KBO player Jeong Keun-woo and former KBO player Park Yong-taik. (Yonhap)
Lee, who has the most career home runs in KBO history with 467, said being involved in a wide range of activities has broadened his perspective on baseball.
"I am having so much fun every day," Lee said. "While I was a player, I only thought about winning. Now, I am able to see the bigger picture. I am willing to do anything I can to help baseball in Korea."
Park Yong-taik, another home run derby participant, said he has reached a crossroads two years into his retirement, trying to decide on his next step.
The all-time KBO hits king with 2,504, Park has made a successful transition into broadcasting. The 43-year-old was an immensely quotable player during his 19-year career with the LG Twins and has quickly emerged as an articulate analyst equally well versed in advanced statistics and old school baseball. Park even hosts a KBO nightly highlight program, and he is as smooth behind the mic as he was with his swing.

Former Korea Baseball Organization player Lee Seung-yuop (L) poses with ex-Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez at Paradise City Hotel in Incheon, just west of Seoul, on Sept. 16, 2022, the eve of the FTX MLB Home Run Derby X. (Yonhap)
Lately, though, Park has been contemplating joining some of his contemporaries in the coaching ranks.
"Last year, I just wanted to have fun doing things I'd long wanted to do," Park said. "And now, I've been putting a lot of thought into coaching. Frankly, coaching in professional baseball is an incredibly hard job."
If not coaching, Park may move into the front office. He said he had as much interest in sports administration as in coaching and added, "I want to study sports marketing, too."
Former second baseman Jeong Keun-woo, who also retired after the 2020 season, remains involved in the game. He pens an online baseball column and is a frequent guest on a number of baseball YouTube channels. But nothing makes Jeong happier than the time spent with his family.
"I am enjoying doing new things, but most of all, I love seeing my family every day," said Jeong, the KBO's career leader in hits (1,877), RBIs (722) and runs (1,072) as a second baseman. "And I am still very much in baseball. It's been a lot of fun."

Participants of the "FTX MLB Home Run Derby X" pose for a group photo at Paradise City Hotel in Incheon, about 30 kilometers west of Seoul, on Sept. 16, 2022. From left: ex-Korea Baseball Organization player Park Yong-taik, former major leaguer Nick Swisher, U.S. baseball player Ashton Lansdell, U.S. softball player Erika Piancastelli, ex-Mexican gymnast Daniel Corral, South Korean short track speed skater Kwak Yoon-gy, U.S. softball player, Alex Hugo, ex-KBO player Jeong Keun-woo, U.S. softball player Jocelyn Alo, ex-KBO player Lee Seung-yuop and former major leaguer Adrian Gonzalez. (Yonhap)
The doting father of two sons and a daughter is also trying to do his part to keep things tidy at home. His daughter is a budding figure skater, and Jeong's wife drives her to and from practices and competitions. It's up to Jeong to take care of his two boys, aged 15 and 13.
"They're going to need their father around," Jeong said. "I'd be lying if I said I hadn't given any thought to coaching. But it's all about timing. Right now, spending time with family and being happy is more important to me. I may end up coaching eventually, but I am going to have to discuss that with my family first."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Top court upholds life sentence for woman over drowning death of husband for insurance money
-
Late wife of Australian veteran of Korean War laid to rest in Busan
-
Remains of another Korean War soldier identified
-
(LEAD) Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
Late wife of Australian veteran of Korean War laid to rest in Busan
-
Top court upholds life sentence for woman over drowning death of husband for insurance money
-
24 teachers caught illegally selling exam questions to private educators
-
Remains of another Korean War soldier identified
-
(LEAD) Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
(LEAD) Family of 5 found dead in 3 separate locations
-
(LEAD) Opposition party leader ends 24-day hunger strike for treatment
-
(4th LD) Xi says he will seriously consider visit to South Korea: official
-
(5th LD) Xi says he will seriously consider visit to South Korea: official
-
Family of 5 found dead in 3 separate locations