South Korean Baseball Legend Baek In-chun Dies at 84

Baek In-chun, a revered figure in South Korean baseball celebrated as the "immortal .400 hitter," died on August 15 at the age of 84. He passed away at Dankook University Hospital in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, after receiving treatment for a cerebral hemorrhage. His passing has prompted a wave of tributes from across the baseball world.

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The manager always told me, 'You can become the best player in Korea, and you should advance to Japanese professional baseball.'

Baek's career was marked by extraordinary achievements, including a .412 batting average in the inaugural KBO season in 1982 while playing and managing for MBC Dragons. He later led the LG Twins to a championship as their first manager in 1990. Before his KBO career, Baek played 19 seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, where he won the Pacific League batting title in 1975 with a .319 average.

Prominent baseball figures have shared their memories and condolences. Lee Seung-yeop, a former teammate and now a coach, recalled Baek's encouragement, stating, "The manager always told me, 'You can become the best player in Korea, and you should advance to Japanese professional baseball.'" Jang Hoon, a legendary Japanese-Korean baseball player, remembered Baek as a "very strong-willed man" who likely harbored a fierce determination when he moved to Japan alone.

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Baek In-chun was a very strong-willed man. He moved to Japan alone, so he must have had a strong will not to lose.

Even President Lee Jae-myung offered his respects, posting on X (formerly Twitter), "I express my respect and gratitude to the manager who illuminated an era, starting from the beginning of Korean professional baseball. I wish him eternal rest." Baek In-chun's funeral will be conducted under the auspices of the KBO.

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I express my respect and gratitude to the manager who illuminated an era, starting from the beginning of Korean professional baseball. I wish him eternal rest.