"I didn't do a good job."

"Some people would have thought, 'You've done a good job if you're this good. You shouldn't do that this year. Let's have a clear sense of goal."

Doosan Bears manager Lee Seung-yeop appointed Yang Seok-hwan as the team's captain in 2024. The decision was made as soon as he signed a free agent contract worth up to 7.8 billion won (6.37 million U.S. dollars) for four plus two years late last year.

There is a reason. "Seok-hwan has the personality to say things to his seniors and to me as a coach," Lee told reporters at the inaugural ceremony on Sunday. "He is an athlete who emphasizes discipline to his juniors and can serve as an example. He will play a role to win the team and to improve the team. He will make the fans cheer for him more. I certainly look forward to his personal performance."

"I haven't asked Seok directly yet. We've done it together for a year anyway," manager Lee Seung-yeop said. "A total of 50 to 60 players are moving together in the first division. I think it's really hard for us to unite as one team. I hope he can share everything without hesitation in order for us to become the one team. I hope he will play a role to make that happen."

Yang Seok-hwan's "Say What You Have to Say" exploded from the very first day. "Looking back on the past two seasons, it was hard to say that the team had a clear sense of goal," Yang told reporters on Wednesday. "Yes, it was time to drop to ninth place (2022) after advancing to the Korean Series (KS) for seven consecutive years. After a significant change in coaching staff, when we ranked fifth last year, we would have thought that we would have done a good job."

Yang said, "We must not do that this year. I hope you will not be swayed by changes in your ranking and have a clear sense of goal." This is in line with Lee's commitment. "I will change first. Let's forget all the achievements that happened last year," Lee said. "I cannot forget my defeat in Changwon (the first round of the wild card game against the NC Dinos). I hope that defeat will serve as the foundation for us to take a leap forward in 2024.

What remains unchanged is also a commitment to oneself. When Doosan's main hitters, including Huh Kyung-min last year and Kim Jae-hwan in 2022, take the helm, their personal performance has declined. "I have a lot to worry about (playing as captain) but that shouldn't be the reason for my poor performance," Yang said. "I may or may not do well this year. But I don't think I'm saying that I can't do well because I'm a captain." "My dream is to hit 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in my private room. I can challenge that goal for Doosan for at least four years. I really want to achieve it."  토토