Former manager Bae Seong-seo of the professional baseball team Hanwha Eagles, who served as the first commander of Binggrae Eagles, has passed away at the age of 81.

Born in 1944 in Yeongbyeon, North Pyongan Province, Bae Seong-seo graduated from Seonrin High School and Korea University and played as a catcher for the Hanshin Bank baseball team in the industrial league. He served as the manager of Yeongnam University, Dongguk University, and Hanyang University from 1973 to 1985, gaining a reputation for his Spartacist training method in amateur baseball.

During his time at Yeongnam University, he was known for training Kim Jae-bak, a former LG Twins manager, who is regarded as the best shortstop in Korean baseball history. At Dongguk University, he also coached Kim Sung-han, a former KIA Tigers manager who later grew into a top slugger, and Han Dae-hwa, a former manager of Hanwha.

Recognized for his leadership, he was appointed as the first commander of Binggrae Eagles, founded in 1985 as the 7th team. With intense training distinctive to a new team, he led the growth of young players. It was also Bae Seong-seo who first recognized the potential of home run king Jang Jong-hoon, who wrote the 'trainee myth,' and provided him with opportunities.

However, due to the limitations of the new team, they finished in 7th place in 1986 with a record of 31 wins, 76 losses, and 1 draw (winning percentage .290) and in 6th place in 1987 with a record of 47 wins, 57 losses, and 4 draws (winning percentage .454). However, Binggrae soared to become a strong team, making it to the Korean Series 4 times in 5 years starting in 1988, and Bae's leadership in laying the groundwork for the team was reevaluated.

Bae Seong-seo took the helm of MBC Cheongryong in 1989, but he stepped down after a year with a record of 49 wins, 67 losses, and 4 draws (winning percentage .425) for a 6th place finish. He concluded his professional baseball managerial career with a total of 336 games over 3 seasons, achieving 127 wins, 200 losses, and 9 draws (winning percentage .388).

Bae Seong-seo is also the father of Kenneth Bae (Korean name Bae Jun-ho), an American missionary of Korean descent who was detained in North Korea for two years starting in November 2012. At that time, Kenneth Bae was arrested while leading tourists on a visit to North Korea. Bae Seong-seo drew international attention with a candlelight prayer gathering with his family, hoping for his son's release. During the detention period in October 2013, he received approval from North Korean authorities to visit North Korea and reunite with his son. With the help of the U.S. government, Kenneth Bae was released in November 2014.

The deceased's funeral will be held for three days starting 7th at the Sinchon Severance Hospital funeral hall.

[OSEN = Reporter Lee Sang-hak]