Former OB Bears manager Kim Yeong-deok, the 'first Korean professional baseball winning command tower', passed away today (21st).



He is 87 years old.



Born in Japan in 1936, the deceased was active as a pitcher for the Nankai Hawks of the Japanese professional baseball from 1956 to 1963.



After he came to Korea in 1964, he dominated the domestic unemployment league with his slider.



Former manager Kim, who started his career as a manager and player at Hanil Bank in 1970, rose to the first command tower of the OB Bears in 1982, when Korean professional baseball was launched.



OB became the first Korean professional baseball champion, and former coach Kim left his name as the 'first championship command tower'.



Former coach Kim continued his coaching career at Samsung Lions and Binggrae Eagles.



The record achieved as a Korean professional baseball command tower is 707 wins, 20 draws and 480 losses in 1,207 games (0.596 win rate).



Former coach Kim, the first-generation leader of Korean professional baseball, was respected by many Korean baseball juniors even after 'his leader's retirement'.



Former director Kim's mortuary was prepared in Room 3 of the funeral hall at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital.



(Photo = Yonhap News)