Lee Kang-cheol, 60 years old, the KT Wiz manager who led the team to first place in the regular league this year, renewed his contract under the best treatment ever for a manager in history ahead of the Korean Series.
KT announced on the 19th, “We renewed the contract with Lee Kang-cheol for a total of 3.4 billion Korean won over three years, including a signing fee of 1 billion Korean won and an annual salary of 800 million Korean won.” The contract period extends until 2029. The total of 3.4 billion Korean won is the highest-ever contract for a professional baseball manager, surpassing the 3 billion Korean won over three years that Yeom Kyung-yup, the LG manager, received last year.
Lee, who took charge of KT ahead of the 2019 season, signed his fourth contract this time, continuing his long-term leadership. KT, which was established in 2013 and entered the first-team stage in 2015, was a weak team that remained at the bottom for three consecutive years and was far from postseason baseball. However, after Lee’s appointment, the team’s fundamentals changed. In his first year, the team achieved its best-ever record at the time, finishing sixth with a winning percentage of 0.500. The following year, they advanced to the postseason for the first time in the club’s history. In 2021, they achieved the club’s first overall championship, elevating KT to the ranks of strong teams.
Under Lee’s leadership, KT consistently maintained competitiveness by advancing to the postseason for five consecutive years from 2020 to 2024. This year, they became the first in the club’s history to reach 90 wins, securing their second regular league title. For Lee personally, it was a meaningful season as he achieved his 600th career win.
Lee Kang-cheol, the KT Wiz manager, said, “Thanks to the generous support from the group and the club this year, we were able to achieve good results. I will finish this season at a higher level and continue to build a strong team that competes for championships.” Lee Sun-joo, the KT Sports representative, said, “Since Manager Lee’s appointment, KT has consistently shown the appearance of a strong team. We are pleased to work again with the best manager in Korean professional baseball.”
KT will play the Korean Series (best-of-seven) against the Playoff winner starting on the 2nd of next month at Suwon KT Wiz Park. If they reach the summit, they will achieve their second overall championship in club history since 2021.
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