In a surprising turn of events, Lee Seung-yeop, the manager of the Doosan Bears, tendered his resignation on June 2, 2025, amid a challenging season for the team. The club officially accepted his decision, marking an unexpected end to his tenure that began in 2022. Lee’s resignation reflects his sense of responsibility for the Bears’ disappointing performance this year and his desire to invigorate the team’s atmosphere.
Lee Seung-yeop, a legendary figure in Korean baseball and former star player for the Samsung Lions, took over the managerial reins of Doosan Bears in 2022. His leadership initially seemed promising as he guided the team from a 9th place finish in 2022 up to 5th place in 2023, and further improved to 4th place in 2024. Despite these improvements, the Bears were unable to advance beyond the Wild Card stage in the postseason for two consecutive years, leaving fans and management eager for a breakthrough.
However, the 2025 season has been a stark contrast to those earlier years under Lee’s guidance. As of June 2, the Bears hold a dismal record of 23 wins, 3 draws, and 32 losses, placing them 9th out of 10 teams in the league standings. This poor showing has put significant pressure on the team and its leadership, culminating in Lee’s decision to step down before completing his three-year contract.
Lee had signed a lucrative three-year deal before the 2023 season, reportedly worth 1.8 billion won, including a 300 million won signing bonus and an annual salary of 500 million won. Yet, despite the financial commitment and his efforts, the team’s struggles this season—including injuries to key players like Kwak Bin and the failure to secure crucial free agents such as third baseman Heo Kyung-min and reliever Kim Kang-ryul—have hampered any hopes of a turnaround.
The Bears’ management expressed their gratitude for Lee’s dedication and hard work over the past three seasons. A club spokesperson said, “We thank Lee Seung-yeop for leading the team for three seasons. He made this decision to take responsibility for the poor results this season and to refresh the team’s atmosphere. After careful consideration, the club has accepted his resignation.”
Starting June 3, 2025, the team will be under the interim leadership of Cho Sung-hwan, the quality control coach, who is expected to manage the Bears during the three-game home series against the KIA Tigers at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. Cho’s appointment as acting manager marks a new chapter for the Bears as they aim to recover from their current slump.
Lee’s departure marks a premature end to his first professional managerial role, which had been closely watched by fans and analysts alike. Known affectionately as the “National Hitter” for his illustrious playing career, Lee’s transition into coaching was met with high expectations. His initial success in improving the Bears’ league standings had earned him respect, but the inability to build on that momentum in 2025 ultimately overshadowed his accomplishments.
Throughout his tenure, Lee was praised for his leadership and baseball acumen, but the combination of roster challenges and inconsistent performances took a toll. The loss of key free agents in the offseason and the impact of injuries to pivotal players like Kwak Bin contributed significantly to the team’s struggles. These factors, combined with the pressure of unmet expectations, seem to have influenced Lee’s decision to resign.
Fans and the baseball community are now keenly watching how the Bears will respond under interim manager Cho Sung-hwan. The team faces a critical stretch, starting with the upcoming series against the KIA Tigers, where the Bears will look to regain confidence and climb out of the league’s lower ranks.
Looking back, Lee’s leadership brought some stability and progress to the Bears, even if the ultimate goal of postseason success remained elusive. His efforts to lift the team from near the bottom of the standings to a competitive playoff contender in 2023 and 2024 showed promise, and his departure raises questions about the future direction of the club’s management and roster strategy.
As Doosan navigates this transitional period, the focus will be on reinvigorating the squad and addressing the issues that have plagued their 2025 campaign. Whether the Bears can rebound and challenge for a higher spot in the standings remains to be seen, but the change in leadership signals a willingness to shake things up in pursuit of better results.
Lee Seung-yeop’s resignation is a significant moment in the 2025 KBO season, highlighting the unforgiving nature of professional sports where results often dictate tenure. His legacy as a player is secure, but his managerial chapter with Doosan Bears closes with mixed emotions—gratitude for his contributions and hope for a fresh start under new guidance.
With Cho Sung-hwan stepping in as interim manager, the Bears will look to stabilize and build momentum in the coming weeks. The team’s fans and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how this leadership change impacts their performance and whether it can spark the turnaround the club desperately needs.
