1. Overview
Kim Han-soo (김한수Gim Han-suKorean; born October 30, 1971, in Seoul, South Korea) is a former South Korean baseball infielder and manager, and is currently a hitting coach. Known for his consistent and stable defense, along with precise batting, he was a prominent third baseman in the KBO League. He played his entire 14-year professional career for the Samsung Lions, establishing himself as a significant franchise player despite not being from the team's home region of Daegu. His quiet and introverted demeanor earned him the nickname "Quietly Strong Man."
As a player, Kim Han-soo led the Samsung Lions to their first Korean Series championship in 2002 as team captain and contributed to consecutive integrated championships in 2005 and 2006. He earned six Golden Glove Awards for his exceptional defensive prowess. Internationally, he represented South Korea at major competitions, securing a bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics and a gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games.
Following his retirement as a player in 2007, Kim Han-soo transitioned into coaching roles, including a training period with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. He later served as the 14th manager of the Samsung Lions from 2016 to 2019, before returning to coaching, most recently with the Doosan Bears.
2. Early Life and Amateur Career
Kim Han-soo's formative years laid the groundwork for his distinguished baseball career, which began long before his professional debut.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Born on October 30, 1971, in Seoul, South Korea, Kim Han-soo's passion for baseball ignited during his elementary school years, influenced by the burgeoning popularity of professional baseball at the time. He officially joined a baseball club in the fifth grade to pursue the sport more seriously. He attended Gwangyeong High School in Seoul before matriculating at Chung-Ang University, where he majored in Journalism and Broadcasting. During his freshman year at Chung-Ang University, he met Jang Jong-hoon, a prominent player for Hanwha Eagles (then 빙그레BinggreKorean), who was his personal idol. Jang Jong-hoon provided Kim Han-soo with practical advice that significantly motivated him to prepare diligently for professional baseball entry. His father, Kim Young-bok, was also a former amateur baseball player, influencing his early life in the sport.
2.2. Amateur Baseball Career
During his time at Chung-Ang University, Kim Han-soo actively participated in amateur baseball. Despite his dedication and consistent performance, he did not initially attract significant attention from professional scouts. His path to the professional league was marked by diligence and a focused effort to meet the demanding standards required for professional entry, drawing on the guidance he received from his early mentors like Jang Jong-hoon.
3. Professional Playing Career
Kim Han-soo's professional baseball career spanned 14 years, predominantly with the Samsung Lions, where he became a cornerstone of the team.
3.1. Draft and Early Years
Kim Han-soo's entry into the KBO League in 1994 was somewhat unexpected, as he was not highly regarded during his graduation from Chung-Ang University. He had anticipated being drafted by a team like the Ssangbangwool Raiders in a lower round. To his surprise, he was selected in the second round, first pick, by a different team, the Samsung Lions. Upon joining the Lions, he faced the immediate challenge of finding a place in an already strong infield, which featured top-tier players such as Kim Seong-rae (first baseman), Kang Ki-ung (second baseman), Ryu Joong-il (shortstop), and Kim Yong-guk (third baseman), leaving little room for a rookie.
However, a trade of Kim Yong-guk to the Pacific Dolphins created an opportunity, and the then-manager, Woo Yong-deuk, boldly decided to give the rookie a chance. In his rookie year, Kim Han-soo demonstrated promising potential, recording a batting average in the .200 range and hitting 10 home runs. His early career was interrupted by military service as a Bangwibyeong from 1995 to 1996, during which he endured a difficult period of rehabilitation for knee injuries. Upon completing his service in May 1996 and recovering from his injuries, he redoubled his efforts to secure a regular starting position. By 1997, he began to emerge as a new star for the team, alongside Lee Seung-yuop, consistently playing in over 100 games annually, except for his military service years.
3.2. Peak Performance and Championship Contributions
Kim Han-soo entered his prime years from 1998 to 1999 and again from 2001 to 2002, consistently achieving batting averages over .300 and hitting double-digit home runs. His exceptional defensive skills were widely recognized, leading him to win the KBO Golden Glove Award an impressive six times between 1998 and 2004. This included a remarkable four consecutive wins from 2001 to 2004, a feat that places him second in the league for third basemen, surpassed only by Han Dae-hwa's six awards.
In 2002, Kim Han-soo took on the role of team captain, steering the Samsung Lions to their first-ever Korean Series championship and securing the regular season title, a historic achievement for the franchise. After relinquishing the captaincy to Jin Kab-yong, Kim Han-soo, as a veteran leader, continued to play a crucial role in mentoring younger players. His contributions were instrumental in the team's consecutive integrated championships in both the regular season and the Korean Series in 2005 and 2006. As a member of the Samsung Lions that won the Korean League, he also participated in the 2006 Asia Series.
3.3. Later Career and Retirement
Following the 2004 season, the coaching staff observed a slight decline in Kim Han-soo's physical condition and decided to shift his primary position from third baseman to first baseman starting in 2005. This change coincided with a gradual decline in his batting average, which dropped from .290 in 2005 to .230 by 2007. In the latter half of the 2007 season, his position as first baseman came under threat from Chae Tae-in, a rookie who had joined the team through a special designation draft that year. Kim Han-soo faced the indignity of being demoted to the second team, enduring a challenging period in his career. Despite a desire to continue playing, he announced his retirement after the 2007 season, unable to resist the club's recommendation. His official retirement ceremony was held on March 30, 2008, before a game against the KIA Tigers. Upon his retirement, his jersey number 5 was passed on to infielder Jo Dong-chan.
4. National Team Career
Kim Han-soo proudly represented the South Korea national baseball team in several significant international competitions, contributing to the nation's success on the global stage.
4.1. Olympic and Asian Games Participation
Kim Han-soo was a key member of the national team at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, where his strong performances helped South Korea secure a bronze medal in the baseball tournament. Two years later, he again played a crucial role for the national team at the 2002 Asian Games held in Busan, contributing to South Korea's gold medal victory. He also participated in the Asian qualifiers for the 2003 Athens Olympics.
5. Coaching and Managerial Career
After concluding his illustrious playing career, Kim Han-soo transitioned into coaching and managerial roles, continuing his involvement in professional baseball.
5.1. Coaching Roles
In 2008, following his retirement as a player, Kim Han-soo immediately began his coaching career as a hitting coach for the Samsung Lions' second team. His dedication to coaching led him to Japan in 2009 for a year-long coaching internship with the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League. During this period, he served as a hitting coach for the Giants' second team, occasionally joining the first-team dugout and acting as a mentor to fellow South Korean player Lee Seung-yuop, helping him navigate challenges. He returned to South Korea in September 2009.
In 2010, Kim Han-soo rejoined the Samsung Lions as a hitting coach for the second team. The following year, in 2011, he was promoted to the position of hitting coach for the first team, further solidifying his coaching credentials.
5.2. Samsung Lions Managerial Tenure
On October 15, 2016, Kim Han-soo was appointed as the 14th manager of the Samsung Lions, succeeding Ryu Joong-il. His tenure as manager continued through the 2019 season. During his leadership, the team's performance did not consistently meet expectations, and his managerial approach received mixed evaluations from fans and critics. Following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2019 season, he stepped down from the managerial position. He was succeeded by Heo Sam-young, a former head of the team's analysis department and a native of Daegu, the team's hometown (연고지yeon'gojiKorean).
5.3. Subsequent Coaching Roles
After leaving the Samsung Lions, Kim Han-soo continued his coaching career. In 2023, he joined the Doosan Bears as a chief coach. This move notably reconnected him with Lee Seung-yuop, who became the manager of the Doosan Bears in 2023, reflecting their long-standing relationship and mutual respect. Kim Han-soo remained with the Doosan Bears until the end of the 2024 season.
6. Playing Style and Personal Characteristics
Kim Han-soo's career was defined not only by his statistical achievements but also by his distinctive playing style and personality, which earned him a unique place in KBO history.
6.1. Batting and Fielding Style
On the field, Kim Han-soo was recognized for his consistent and stable defensive capabilities, particularly at third base, where he was considered a 준수한junsuhanKorean (excellent) third baseman. His batting style was characterized by its precision, allowing him to consistently make solid contact. He was known for his ability to hit effectively, often serving as a reliable six-hole hitter who backed up the cleanup batters.
6.2. Personality and Relationships
Off the field, Kim Han-soo was known for his quiet and introverted personality, a trait that led to his popular nickname, "소리 없이 강한 남자" (소리 없이 강한 남자Sori Eopshi Ganghan NamjaKorean, "Quietly Strong Man"). This moniker highlighted his strong performance despite his unassuming demeanor. He shared a close professional and personal relationship with Lee Seung-yuop, having played alongside him for nine years from 1995. Lee Seung-yuop, who became a national icon through his performances in the Olympics and the 2006 World Baseball Classic, greatly admired Kim Han-soo, referring to him as his "형님" (형님HyungnimKorean, elder brother). This bond was further evidenced when Kim Han-soo joined the Doosan Bears as a coach under Lee Seung-yuop's management. Kim Han-soo's father, Kim Young-bok, was also a former amateur baseball player, suggesting a family legacy in the sport.
7. Achievements and Awards
Kim Han-soo's career was marked by numerous individual accolades and significant contributions to team success, solidifying his legacy in Korean baseball.
7.1. Individual Accolades
Kim Han-soo received several personal awards throughout his career, recognizing his outstanding skills and sportsmanship. He is most notably a six-time recipient of the KBO Golden Glove Award for third base, winning in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. His four consecutive Golden Glove awards from 2001 to 2004 are the second-most in his position. Additionally, he was honored with the Fair Play Award in 2002.
7.2. Team Contributions and Career Milestones
Kim Han-soo's contributions were central to the Samsung Lions' successes. As team captain in 2002, he led the Lions to their first-ever KBO League regular season championship and Korean Series title. He also played a vital role in the team's consecutive integrated championships in 2005 and 2006.
Individually, he achieved significant career milestones, reaching 1,500 career hits over his 14 professional seasons. He holds the KBO League all-time record for walk-off hits, with a total of 10 such decisive hits. His national team career also yielded medals, including a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and a gold medal at the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
8. Career Statistics
Kim Han-soo's comprehensive professional playing statistics are detailed below.
| Year | Team | Age | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | TB | GDP | HBP | SH | SF | IBB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Samsung | 24 | 103 | 309 | 279 | 41 | 76 | 13 | 2 | 10 | 31 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 52 | .272 | .313 | .441 | .754 | 123 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 2 |
| 1995 | 25 | 34 | 100 | 92 | 17 | 28 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 12 | .304 | .330 | .413 | .743 | 38 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1996 | 26 | 30 | 59 | 54 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 21 | .185 | .241 | .185 | .427 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1997 | 27 | 124 | 524 | 466 | 57 | 136 | 27 | 1 | 9 | 68 | 9 | 9 | 36 | 79 | .292 | .350 | .412 | .762 | 192 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 2 | 4 | |
| 1998 | 28 | 126 | 503 | 463 | 65 | 139 | 24 | 1 | 15 | 80 | 5 | 3 | 19 | 70 | .300 | .332 | .454 | .786 | 210 | 19 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1999 | 29 | 128 | 551 | 497 | 87 | 169 | 36 | 1 | 18 | 88 | 7 | 6 | 33 | 73 | .340 | .391 | .525 | .916 | 261 | 12 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 4 | |
| 2000 | 30 | 126 | 519 | 464 | 54 | 122 | 26 | 1 | 7 | 57 | 8 | 5 | 30 | 73 | .263 | .322 | .369 | .690 | 171 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2001 | 31 | 117 | 478 | 427 | 59 | 133 | 29 | 2 | 13 | 61 | 3 | 2 | 28 | 57 | .311 | .366 | .480 | .846 | 205 | 11 | 13 | 2 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2002 | 32 | 127 | 541 | 486 | 69 | 151 | 23 | 1 | 17 | 76 | 4 | 2 | 35 | 61 | .311 | .371 | .467 | .838 | 227 | 15 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2003 | 33 | 131 | 532 | 478 | 67 | 141 | 23 | 1 | 17 | 70 | 5 | 2 | 29 | 57 | .295 | .354 | .454 | .808 | 217 | 20 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 34 | 133 | 558 | 498 | 60 | 135 | 30 | 1 | 16 | 84 | 1 | 2 | 30 | 79 | .271 | .335 | .432 | .767 | 215 | 23 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2005 | 35 | 114 | 465 | 406 | 55 | 119 | 18 | 0 | 15 | 73 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 68 | .293 | .372 | .448 | .821 | 182 | 9 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| 2006 | 36 | 103 | 396 | 343 | 41 | 87 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 54 | 6 | 3 | 32 | 54 | .254 | .340 | .359 | .699 | 123 | 12 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 37 | 101 | 317 | 289 | 25 | 68 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 44 | .235 | .283 | .311 | .594 | 90 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | |
| KBO Career: 14 Years | 1497 | 5582 | 5242 | 704 | 1514 | 279 | 12 | 149 | 782 | 59 | 39 | 341 | 800 | .289 | .346 | .432 | .778 | 2264 | 149 | 148 | 66 | 55 | 21 | ||
- Bolded numbers indicate the highest record in that season.
9. Uniform Numbers
Kim Han-soo used several uniform numbers throughout his professional playing and coaching careers:
- 50 (1994-1995) - as a player
- 25 (1996) - as a player
- 5 (1997-2008) - as a player
- 130 (2009) - as a coach (Yomiuri Giants)
- 86 (2010-2019) - as a coach and manager (Samsung Lions)
- 75 (2023-2024) - as a coach (Doosan Bears)
10. Evaluation and Legacy
Kim Han-soo's career as both a player and a manager is evaluated differently, reflecting his distinct contributions and challenges in each role.
10.1. As a Player
Kim Han-soo is widely regarded as a significant "franchise star" for the Samsung Lions, despite not being from the team's traditional Daegu home region. His playing career is positively assessed for his exceptional defensive skills at third base and his precise, consistent batting. He was known as a solid and reliable performer on both offense and defense, earning multiple Golden Glove Awards and contributing crucially to the Lions' championship successes. His ability to hit walk-off hits, holding the KBO all-time record, further cemented his legacy as a clutch player.
10.2. As a Manager
Kim Han-soo's managerial tenure with the Samsung Lions from 2016 to 2019 generally received a mixed to critical reception. While he led the team, their performance during this period did not consistently meet the high expectations of the club and its fanbase. The team struggled to achieve consistent success, leading to his contract expiring and his departure from the managerial position after the 2019 season. His time as manager is objectively discussed as a period of team development and rebuilding, but one that faced challenges in public and fan perception regarding immediate results.