Baseball world mourns legendary coach Baek In-cheon

The South Korean baseball community is mourning the loss of former coach Baek In-cheon, a legendary figure whose .412 batting average in a single season remains an unbroken record in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).

On August 16, the second day after his passing, tributes poured in at the funeral home at Dankook University Hospital in Cheonan. Among those who paid their respects were KBO President Huh Koo-yeon, former KBO President Koo Bon-neung, former national team coach Kim In-sik, and executives from the LG Twins and SSG Landers.

Baek's influence extended to Japan, where he played for the Toei Flyers (now Nippon-Ham Fighters) from 1962 to 1974 and won the Japanese professional baseball batting title in 1975. Nippon-Ham Fighters sent a wreath to express their condolences. Isao Harimoto (Jang Hoon), a former teammate, also shared a tribute in the Japanese media, recalling their time together.

Baek returned to Korea in 1982, the inaugural year of the KBO, to manage and play for the MBC Blue Dragons. That season, he set the still-standing record for the highest single-season batting average at .412. He later played for the Sammi Superstars and managed the LG Twins, Samsung Lions, and Lotte Giants, leaving a significant mark on Korean baseball.

Baek In-cheon passed away on August 15 due to a cerebral hemorrhage. The funeral is being conducted under the auspices of the KBO, with veteran baseball figure Kim So-sik serving as the chief mourner. The cremation is scheduled for August 17.

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A precious junior and a colleague who ran through the same era.