Samsung ace Won Tae-in profanity controversy: Did LG coach Jeong Su-seong cross the line?
Samsung ace Won Tae-in profanity controversy: Did LG coach Jeong Su-seong cross the line?
The controversy around Samsung Lions' ace Won Tae-in has dominated Korean baseball chatter for days. It started April 19 at Daegu's Samsung Lions Park during a game against the LG Twins. Won, the starter, unraveled in the top of the fourth after allowing back-to-back hits and then surrendering another run on an infield grounder. Broadcast footage captured him muttering profanity and visibly venting his frustration.
The very next shot showed veteran second baseman Ryu Ji-hyuk with a stern look, and fans quickly speculated that Won had snapped at a senior who appeared to have given up on the play. The rumor of internal conflict spread fast online. Given Won's reputation for professionalism and hard work, the reaction from fans was intense.
Kang Min-ho's clarification and an unexpected spotlight on coach Jeong
Kang Min-ho's clarification and an unexpected spotlight on coach Jeong
As the story escalated, veteran catcher Kang Min-ho stepped in to calm things. He left a comment on the Samsung team's official social media, emphatically saying Won had not directed the profanity at Ryu Ji-hyuk.
Kang said Won had been telling teammates that LG third-base coach Jeong Su-seong’s exaggerated movements made it hard to concentrate on his delivery.
The explanation helped quash the insubordination rumors for now, but attention shifted to LG coach Jeong Su-seong. Once it became clear Won’s ire was aimed at an opposing coach, debate flared over whether Jeong’s movements actually interfered with the pitcher or whether Won had overreacted.
Leaving the coach's box:
Rule violation or accepted practice?
Leaving the coach's box:
Rule violation or accepted practice?
The central question is whether Jeong's behavior violated the rules. Rule 5, Section 3 specifies that base coaches should stay inside the coach’s box. However, the rule allows an exception: coaches often step out of the box to signal a runner to slide or advance, and that is permitted so long as it doesn't obstruct play.
Notably, when runners are at second and third, third-base coaches commonly step to the right of the box to signal the runner at second — a tactic used across the league. Samsung's coach Lee Jong-wook is known for active movement, and SSG pitcher Kim Kwang-hyun has previously complained that Lee's positioning blocked his sightline.
In the end, most inside the baseball community say it’s hard to call such movement a rules violation unless it included taunts or deliberate noise meant to distract the pitcher.
Episode closed with an apology
Episode closed with an apology
The matter appears to have been settled after Won issued a sincere apology. On the 20th, he called coach Jeong directly to apologize. The next day, ahead of the SSG Landers game, he faced reporters and apologized publicly.“I wanted to perform well after returning from injury and got overly sensitive. What I did was wrong and should never have happened,” he said.
Coach Jeong accepted the apology graciously, calling it a natural expression of competitive drive during a game. The episode underscored the pressure that comes with being a team’s ace and reminded fans that emotional control is an essential trait for professional athletes. Many are hopeful Won will pair his talent with the maturity expected of a pro going forward.
#KBO #SamsungLions #WonTaein #LGTwins #JeongSuseong #KangMinho #RyuJihyuk
