The Kiwoom Heroes are turning the page on a tough start to the 2025 KBO League season with a significant leadership shake-up and a fresh approach aimed at reviving their fortunes. After a dismal first half that saw the team languishing at the bottom of the standings, the Heroes have appointed Seol Jong-jin as their new acting manager, signaling a new chapter filled with strategic optimism and a renewed focus on aggressive, running baseball.
On July 14, 2025, the Kiwoom Heroes made a bold decision to dismiss manager Hong Won-ki, director Go Hyeong-woong, and head coach Kim Chang-hyun, holding them accountable for the team's poor performance. The move came after the team finished the first half of the season with a record of 27 wins, 3 ties, and 61 losses, resulting in a last-place finish with a win rate of just 0.307. This underwhelming performance was marked by struggles both on the mound and at the plate, compounded by the loss of key players and unsuccessful foreign player recruitment.
Stepping into the breach, Seol Jong-jin, a seasoned baseball figure and longtime member of the Kiwoom organization, was appointed acting manager. On July 15, he met the first-team players for the first time at the Gocheok Sky Dome and immediately set the tone for the second half of the season. "I saw that the team’s strategy and running baseball were not working," Seol remarked, diagnosing the root causes of the team's woes. He emphasized that the team’s offensive struggles were tied to a lack of aggressive base running and tactical plays, which had held back scoring opportunities.
Seol’s vision for the Heroes is clear: "We aim to improve our win rate from around 0.300 in the first half to between 0.400 and 0.500 in the second half." This ambitious target reflects his confidence in the squad’s ability to turn things around by embracing a more dynamic style of play. He plans to leverage the team’s strengths, particularly their stolen base success rate, which was the highest in the league during the first half at 89.4%, despite the low number of attempts. The Heroes recorded only 42 stolen bases, ranking ninth in the league, far behind the NC Dinos, who led with 102.
Seol is focusing on maximizing this potential by encouraging players to take more risks on the basepaths. "The success rate is high, but the problem is that the team isn’t running enough," he explained. "We’re going to try things we haven’t done before and increase the amount of running compared to the first half. I ask fans to watch closely as we make these changes." This approach aligns with his mantra of "strategy, bunts, and running baseball," aiming to compensate for the team’s deficiencies in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, all of which ranked near the bottom of the league.
Despite his confidence, Seol acknowledges challenges ahead. The Kiwoom second team, the Goyang Heroes, ranked 10th out of 11 teams in stolen bases with just 11, indicating that implementing an aggressive running game in the more competitive first league will require careful management and adaptation. A club insider noted, "Given the team's characteristics, it will be interesting to see how many tactical signs the bench can deliver effectively."
Team captain Song Sung-moon, a key figure in the running game with 12 consecutive successful steals, echoed the new manager's sentiments. "If the manager wants us to play this way, we have to follow. Running and strategic baseball shine when success rates are high," said Song. "Even if the manager calls the plays, it’s up to the players to execute. If we perform well, the manager and coaches will also shine. So, we must prepare thoroughly and work hard." Song’s leadership will be crucial in executing Seol’s vision on the field.
Kiwoom’s offensive struggles have been stark. Their team batting average stands at a low 0.237, and their runs allowed per game average 5.47, both ranking 10th in the league. Errors have also been a problem, with 78 recorded, placing them at the bottom in that category as well. Seol pointed out that the team’s on-base percentage and batting average with runners in scoring position were particularly poor, contributing to their inability to generate runs consistently. "We couldn’t hit well when it counted, and our pitching was weak," he said bluntly.
The team’s schedule for the second half kicks off on July 17 in Daegu against the Samsung Lions, marking the start of a critical stretch that could define the Heroes’ season. Seol expressed a pragmatic approach to player management, saying, "There won’t be drastic changes to the player rotation right away. I’ll first provide feedback on what’s lacking and then make decisions." He specifically mentioned monitoring players like Hyun-woo, who has struggled since returning from injury, and encouraging younger pitchers to rely more on fastballs rather than changeups to leverage their youthful energy.
Seol’s appointment represents a return to a familiar face for Kiwoom. Having been with the club for many years, he knows the players well and understands the team culture. "Many players, including Song Sung-moon, have been with the club since their rookie days," he said. "I know their styles and personalities, which is a positive factor." Yet, he also warned against complacency, stating, "We have lost so much that the biggest problem is getting used to losing. Baseball is about momentum; when that breaks, it shows in performance. I told the team to play desperately and not to lose embarrassingly. Falling into a defeatist mindset leads to giving up easily." This candid assessment highlights the psychological hurdles the team must overcome.
The Heroes’ recent victory on July 10 against LG at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, a 4-3 win that snapped a seven-game losing streak, offered a glimmer of hope amid a season otherwise marked by disappointment. That win was a rare bright spot in a campaign plagued by injuries, low offensive output, and leadership instability. The team’s struggles have been so pronounced that the front office took the extraordinary step of overhauling the entire leadership team midseason.
As the Kiwoom Heroes embark on this new chapter under Seol Jong-jin’s stewardship, eyes will be on how effectively the team can implement the running game and strategic bunts that he champions. The coming weeks will test the resilience and adaptability of a squad eager to shed its losing ways and climb out of the league’s basement. With a blend of experienced leadership, player buy-in, and a clear tactical plan, the Heroes hope to rewrite their story and inject excitement back into their season.
For now, the Kiwoom Heroes are in the midst of a transformation. The second half of the 2025 KBO League season is poised to reveal whether Seol Jong-jin’s emphasis on aggressive, tactical baseball can spark the turnaround the team desperately needs. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as this historic club fights to regain its footing and restore pride in Gocheok Sky Dome.
