Win or Nothing: The Legends in Action

The ultimate dream team in JTBC’s newest sports reality show Strongest Baseball (also referred to as Baseball Monsters) features the progressive story of former and currently active baseball players uniting as a team called Strongest Monsters (최강 몬스터즈).

Despite hopping onto the wave of sports-centered programs, Strongest Baseball definitely strays away from the current trend of sports reality-based variety shows. The show’s striking parallel structure takes more of a documentary approach rather than entertainment-oriented, intensifying the reality aspect of the sports scene. By taking a deep dive into the return of mainly retired players on the ground, Strongest Monsters creates a window for former players to reconnect with one another and the bold, intimate culture of baseball for the first time after they ventured out of their athletic career. 

The 15 members––under the guidance of the manager––aim to collectively recreate their illustrious pasts and produce an ideal shared reality of Strongest Monsters’ undefeatable reputation throughout a series of competitive games held in various sites.

Let’s Talk Baseball With Strongest Monsters

Manager

Lee Seungyuop holds the position of Strongest Monsters’ playing manager. A distinguished batter who hit 467 home runs exclusively in the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) League and 626 home runs in the KBO League and NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) combined, the former baseball player strives to appreciate and embrace the responsibility he holds in spite of first attempting to take on the manager role. Will he be able to bring out the potential within the individual players, guide the team to unity, and truly cultivate the ultimate dream team that brings up rivalry to further motivate the opposing team?

Pitchers

Current special assistant to Lotte Giants’ general manager, Song Seungjun joins Strongest Monsters as a pitcher. A key player who contributed to South Korea’s baseball team winning the “Beijing Olympic gold medal” in 2008, the former athlete is also known for playing in minor league baseball. Song Seungjun is the oldest among the pitchers, but the ace made his way back to the mound with determination to defeat his opponents. 

Recognized for his looks and witty sense of humor, present television personality and color commentator Shim Soochang contributes his breaking ball specialty to the team. Despite his rather heartbreaking title as part of the team (Hanwha Eagles) with 18 consecutive losses, the former pitcher is back on the ground as Strongest Monsters’ starting pitcher. Throwing fastballs at a speed of approximately 87 miles per hour even as a retired athlete, it’s worth waiting to see how the pitcher’s ambitions will act as a stimulator in driving the player’s role in the team’s hustle play.

The only “Asian Series MVP” (Most Valuable Player) out of South Korean baseball players, legendary southpaw (left-handed pitcher) Chang Wonsam reinforces the team’s skilled pitcher line. With his past achievement of totaling 121 wins in the KBO League, the big-game pitcher draws a big picture of carrying a shutout throughout the show.

Recording a total of 101 wins in the KBO League, Yoo Heekwan, a southpaw with amazing control and command, also joins Strongest Monsters’ pitcher line. Less than 100 days since his retirement from his baseball career, Yoo Heekwan is more than ready to show off his specialty of throwing slow off-speed pitches (also called Eephus pitch) and successfully catching the batter off-guard.

Outfielders

Park Yongtaik, also known by the longtime nickname “Captain Park,” takes the role of an outfielder in Strongest Monsters. Playing for LG Twins for his entire professional baseball career of 18 years, the baseball veteran’s record in the KBO League of most games played (2,236 games) and most hits (2,504 hits) reinforces his standing as a living legend.

A steady hitter full of spirit, former outfielder Lee Taekkeun joins the ultimate dream team lineup. Sweeping all colors and ranks on the podium as a medalist of the Olympics, Asian Games, and WBC, current Paju Challengers’ hitting coordinator Lee Taekkeun utilizes his expertise as an outfielder to bring Strongest Monsters a step closer to victory.

Present Yonggin Big Dream Baseball Academy coach Jung Euiyoon brings confidence to Strongest Monster with his acclaimed powerful hits. The former outfielder dreams big, setting his goal to hit 40 home runs and record a 0.9 batting average to earn the reputation as the team’s greatest slugger.

Infielders

Former professional baseball player and present SPOTV commentator Jeong Seonghoon was recruited as an infielder. Recognized as the first right-handed batter in the KBO League to play 2,000 games and 2,000 hits, Jeong Seonghoon is known for taking a meticulous technical approach when striking, and strong hits craft the old-school athlete as an eminent player. Despite having the longest retirement period out of all players on the team, the former athlete’s innate baseball DNA within him sets a fire and desire for victory.

Television personality Jeong Keunwoo plays as an infielder for Strongest Monsters. Contributing a considerable amount to his teams’ wins, the former KBO second baseman landed first place across various categories in WAR (Wins Above Replacement), RBIs (Runs Batted In), Hits, and Stolen Bases. Small but mighty, the multifaceted infielder dominates the field with the same confident performance as in the past.

Former baseball player Seo Dongwook is Strongest Monsters’ problem solver on the field. As the first player in the KBO League to belt back-to-back home runs from both sides of the plate, the present Paju Challengers’ defensive and baserunning coordinator takes part as the utility player in Strongest Monsters due to his capability of covering all positions except pitching.

Considered one of the top four shortstops during his high school days, Han Kyeongbin earned the title of the top scorer at the Golden Lion Flag National High School Baseball Championship in 2016. The active Hanwha Eagles’ infielder lives up to his nickname “야구돌” (a portmanteau of “야구'' or baseball with “돌'' from idol given due to his handsome looks and prominent skills) by translating his notable performance on the field as Strongest Monsters’ infielder.

Ryu Hyunin is one of the younger players on Strongest Monsters. As a currently active baseball player under Dankook University, he achieved a 0.351 batting average for 2021 college baseball. In the show, he marks his presence as a prominent defense player and an exceptional table-setter; the millennium baby is not afraid to show off all the plays he has, and it’s exciting to look forward to the progressive growth of an ace player among the legends!

Catchers

Lee Hongku, a widely acclaimed offensive catcher ever since his amateur days in the KUBF (Korean University Baseball Federation), shows off his persevering nature and relentless play as Strongest Monsters’ catcher. Showing great performance in stopping run games as the best preventer of stolen bases, the catcher aims to bring a smile of victory to the team.

Currently active in Dong-eui University’s baseball team and looking to participate in the upcoming 2023 KBO Draft, Yoon Junho is recognized as a stable catcher who claims that he can receive any player’s pitch. His career started with being nominated as the MVP of high school baseball players to now earning the title as a member of the Korean national team for the U-23 Baseball World Cup. It’s quite obvious that Yoon Junho is progressively establishing his name as Strongest Monsters’ youngest but most valuable player. After all, the players raised objections when the general manager (who is also the show's producer Jang Siwon) announced that Yoon Junho will be playing as Dong-eui University’s catcher––on the opposing team that Strongest Monsters will be facing next week.

Commentators

Sports commentator Jeong Yonggeom delivers the liveliness of the scene with passionate remarks that leave a strong impression on the spectators. In collaboration with his unique use of voice, his clever humor intensifies the entertaining yet intense game of baseball.

Bringing in his expertise as a former Major Leaguer and professional baseball player, color commentator Kim Sunwoo provides objective insights into the game. He delivers predictions of the flow of the game as well as analyzes players’ psychosocial states throughout.

Let’s Play Ball

Driving home three consecutive victories against renowned teams in the domestic high school baseball scene, Strongest Monsters is off to a good start with a 1.000 winning percentage that is yet to dwindle.

Surely it is a challenge for retired athletes to adapt to new physical conditions and execute their signature baseball techniques as effectively as they have in the past. In response to the possibility of injuries, manager Lee Seungyuop’s decision to recruit two additional players––pitcher Rhee Daeeun, who retired early this year, and former Lotte Giants and Hanwha Eagles outfielder Kim Moonho––proved to be successful. With each game, active players are adapting to work hand in hand with many old-school athletes who became household names. Consequently, the constant competition is underpinning the blossoming synergy in Strongest Monsters as teamwork and coordination among the players are noticeably improving. 

Despite varying retirement periods that have put most players in dramatically different bodily states, Strongest Monsters members are not afraid to unleash the unique potential that they once practiced as active athletes. The team’s sincere attitude toward playing a game with no regrets brings intense focus onto the mound and field, ultimately contributing to Strongest Monsters’ unbreakable momentum towards victory.

Edited by Rashelle Brownfield