Tigers manager wants to lift Korean Series trophy at home

Having spent 14 years with the Kia Tigers as a player, a coach and their manager, Lee Bum-ho has long dreamed of lifting the Korean Series championship trophy at home in Gwangju. He has a chance to do just that this week, and the first-year skipper said Monday he wants to take care of business as soon as possible. The Tigers have won more titles than any club in Korea Baseball Organization with 12, but they have celebrated a championship at their home stadium just once, in 1987. Now holding a 3-1 lead over the Samsung Lions in the best-of-seven series, the Tigers will have three cracks at closing out the series at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, some 270 kilometers south of Seoul. If the Tigers don't get it done Monday night in Game 5, the next two games will also be here. "I think it's a goal for any team in this position to win as quickly as possible," Lee said at his pregame press conference Monday. "We will play this game as if there is no tomorrow for us. There's more baseball left to play and this is no time to get complacent and let our guard down." Lee was five years old when the Tigers got to celebrate their title in Gwangju. It wasn't until a few years later that Lee took an interest in baseball and he gradually learned about the legacy of the Tigers dynasty. That 1987 title was the second of the Tigers' four straight championships. "I've always dreamed of celebrating a championship in front of our home fans," Lee said. "Thanks to our players' great performance and our fans' support, we have a chance to do just that in Gwangju. I want to make sure we get it done in 2024." To that end, Lee said "everyone" in his bullpen will be available for Monday, depending on how long starter Yang Hyeon-jong can go. Among their relievers, Jang Hyun-sik has pitched in all four games so far, while Kwak Do-gyu and Lee Jun-young have appeared in three. But Lee said their pitch counts haven't been that high and a day off Sunday should've helped them stay fresh. "If we grab a lead, we want to have our best relievers on the mound," Lee said. "If Hyeon-jong can give us five to six innings, then things will go just the way we want." Source: Yonhap News Agency