The Dynasties Are Not Dead
Editor-in-chief Ahn So-hyun
prevoyage@naver.com
In January, 1982, the first Korean professional baseball team was born, the 'OB BEARS,' now known as the 'DOOSAN BEARS.' They have won a total of six KBO league integrated championships and, as of 2021, they achieved KBO's first seven consecutive years of advance to the Korean Series(championship playoffs). In recent years, the team's key players have left due to free agent contracts. Each time a recognized player left, baseball experts said, "The Doosan Bears no longer have any hope. They are never going to win because so many major players are missing." So, how did the team that received this poor evaluation succeed in advancing to the Korean Series for the seventh consecutive year?
In 1983, the farm team system was created for the first time, and a facility was established to systematically foster promising players. It was recently remarked that Doosan's farm team players are the fruit of its long-standing investment. The Doosan Bears are famous for their never-stopping baseball, where outstanding players are continuously fostered without having to hire expensive players from another team. The core of this productive baseball is competition through equal opportunities. The coach strengthened internal competition by giving the same opportunities to anyone who was not famous in the past. The system is also effective because it means that current top-level players can be replaced at any time if their performance dips, forcing them to maintain a high performance rate, while at the same time giving hope to backup players. Through this process, promising players were able to grow and develop. As a result, the Doosan Bears have been honored to advance to the Korean Series several times, advance to the Post Season, and win valuable championships.
After winning the 2019 Korean Series, some players who have contributed greatly to Doosan Bears' baseball for several years, left. 'This time there is no doubt, Doosan Bears' baseball has no future', was the sentiment carried by both fans and baseball officials. However, the fresher, younger 'backup' players are giving Doosan Bears a big boost as usual. Frankly, it is wrong to refer to them as 'backup players'. They are already first team players. Thanks to the players who have been playing above average, the void left by the experienced players is gradually disappearing. Doosan Bears' race to the championship will continue this year, too. Never will the dynasties fall. Their hustle play will last forever.