One of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO)’s oldest teams, the local Samsung Lions, struggled to maintain consistent performance over the past eight seasons. Well-known as the squad with the best overall win-loss record in KBO history, the Lions previously reigned the diamond as the unconquerable champions. From 2011 to 2015, they dominated the league with 5 trophies in a row. However, in 2016, the roster encountered a dark era and with 13 consecutive losses in 2022, they bottomed out. With unmotivated players and livid fans, hope seemed bleak. 

Fast forward to 2023, the crew found itself ineligible to enter the playoffs for the third year in a row. This outcome prompted both fans and staff to finally acknowledge the need for a thorough overhaul. 

Recently, numerous news outlets highlighted Samsung’s intentions to undergo a renovation, with plans that extend beyond minor modifications. Park Jin-Man, Lions manager, said, “The focus during the training camp we held this winter was to strengthen the bullpen pitchers, which can be said to be our team’s biggest weakness in the Stove League last season.” As mentioned, the problem with the Lions ultimately stemmed from bullpen pitchers. The bullpen performs far below average, to the extent that they struggle to complete a single inning efficiently. 

Several losses last season proved these shortfalls time after time. Due to the underperformance of the pitching staff, the matchup on April 28th, which seemed like a chance at redemption for the Lions, took an unexpected turn when the KT Wiz came back from an 8-point gap to beat them. Throughout the night, continuous communication errors between the throwers and catchers killed off multiple opportunities to strike the opponent batters out. To prevent such mistakes, Samsung attempted to stabilize the bullpen.

Opinions clash among fans, baseball critics, and the public as to where hope lies. Some supporters remain positive about the team’s progress. “I see some potential for the 3 foreign players who are coming into the squad this season. Also, with the strong outfield trio Kim Hyun-Joon, Koo Ja-Wook, and Kim Sung-Yoon, our defense also seems hopeful,” said senior Bolt Yi, an ardent baseball fan. KBO rules allow each team to sign up to 3 players from abroad. Samsung holds contracts with Connor Seabold, David MacKinnon, and Denyi Reyes. Seabold previously played for the Colorado Rockies, MacKinnon fielded in the American minor leagues, and Reyes joined the New York Mets most recently.

On the other hand, doubts also surround certain athletes, coupled with apprehension about the individuals’ ages. Yi said, “Even though we have some nice new bullpen pitchers, I am concerned with the closer Oh Seung-hwan. He is over 40, which makes him too old to be a pitcher.” The worry over the closer’s age brings a new layer of uncertainty for fans and raises questions about the durability of the pitching staff. 

From my perspective, the lack of prospective sluggers adds another concern to the overall performance. The absence of formidable hitters in our lineup raises many questions about our offense as well. Ironically, our stadium’s minuscule size allows opponents to hit home runs with ease. This juxtaposition of a limited lineup and the advantageous dimensions of our home field further compounds this issue.

Despite the challenges and setbacks, the team’s potential for a resurgence and future success remains palpable. The arrival of hopeful players, strategic management decisions, and dedicated supporters weave together hope and anticipation. On the other hand, doubts still linger in the form of leadership issues, performance inconsistencies, and small fissures within the group. As the baseball season unfolds, the Samsung Lions promise the fans a hopeful 2024 season but the storyline seems nuanced and unpredictable. To end strongly, Park said, “My goal for this season is to finish as the top 5 in terms of season performance and play in the playoffs with our fans in the stadium.”