Kim Min-jae, the Lotte Dream Team general coach who was a member of Lotte's 1992 championship team in professional baseball and a national team shortstop who helped lead Korea to the 2006 World Baseball Classic (WBC) semifinal run and the undefeated gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has died after a battle with illness. He was 53.
Coach Kim Min-jae graduated from Busan Technical High School and joined Lotte in 1991, starting his pro career by contributing to Lotte's last Korean Series title in 1992.
Beginning in 1993, his third pro year, he rose to become the starting shortstop and anchored Lotte's infield through 2001. He then played for the SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers) and Hanwha Eagles before retiring after the 2009 season.
During his playing days, Coach Kim Min-jae showcased steady defense and savvy baserunning, finishing 19 seasons with a .247 batting average in 2,111 games, 1,503 hits, 71 home runs, 607 RBIs, and 174 stolen bases.
Late in his career with Hanwha, he was selected as the national team shortstop and helped fuel Korea's semifinal run at the 2006 WBC. He also contributed to the undefeated gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
After retiring, he coached with Hanwha, KT, Doosan Bears, and SSG, then returned to his original team, the Lotte Giants, in 2023 as bench coach at the request of Manager Kim Tae-hyung.
In 2024, he was diagnosed with a chronic illness during a hospital checkup. The Lotte club did not terminate his contract and reassigned him to the second team. In 2026, considering his condition, he was appointed coach of the Dream Team (rehabilitation group) for the 2026 season.
Coach Kim Min-jae's condition suddenly worsened late last year, and he ultimately passed away without being able to get up. The Lotte club said it would actively assist with the funeral arrangements.
He is survived by his wife, Jang Yun-jung, and their children, Kim Dong-uk and Kim Hyun-ji. The wake is at Busan Citizens' Funeral Hall. The funeral is at 6:30 a.m. on the 16th, and the burial site is Busan Yeongnak Park.