Korean Series runners-up Heroes extend manager Hong Won-ki

▲ In this file photo, Kiwoom Heroes manager Hong Won-ki (C) high-fives first baseman Jeon Byeong-woo following the Heroes' 7-6 win over the SSG Landers in Game 1 of the Korean Series at Incheon SSG Landers Field in Incheon, 30 kilometers west of Seoul, on Nov. 1, 2022. (Yonhap)

▲ In this file photo, Kiwoom Heroes manager Hong Won-ki speaks during the Korean Series media day event at Munhak Stadium in Incheon, some 30 kilometers west of Seoul, on Oct. 31, 2022. (Yonhap)

baseball club-manager

Korean Series runners-up Heroes extend manager Hong Won-ki

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- One day after bowing out in the South Korean baseball championship series, the Kiwoom Heroes announced Wednesday they will extend manager Hong Won-ki.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club said Hong, 49, agreed to a new three-year contract worth 1.4 billion won (US$1.02 million). Hong will make 400 million won per year in salary and receive a 200 million-won signing bonus.

The announcement came about 12 hours after the Heroes fell to the SSG Landers 4-3 in Game 6 of the Korean Series and finished as the runners-up for the third time in franchise history. Hong's previous deal expired upon the conclusion of the series.

The Heroes overachieved in the regular season, ending in third place at 80-62-2 (wins-losses-ties). Many pundits pegged the Heroes as a non-playoff team this year, but led by the league's best hitter in Lee Jung-hoo and its most dominant starting pitcher in An Woo-jin, the Heroes defied odds in reaching the Korean Series.

They took down the defending champions KT Wiz in the first round of the postseason and then upset the No. 2 seed LG Twins in the next round.

The Heroes even stole the first game of the Korean Series on the road against the heavily-favored Landers. In Game 5, back on the road, the Heroes were three outs away from taking a 3-2 series lead, but allowed a walkoff three-run home run to pinch hitter Kim Kang-min in a 5-4 loss.

In Game 6, the Heroes blew a 2-0 and then a 3-2 lead en route to a 4-3 defeat, which spelled the bitter end to their season.

But the Heroes still rewarded Hong with a new deal that will keep him in the dugout through 2025.

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