[Anchor]

The Korean Series of professional baseball between KT and Samsung kicks off today (November 3). Ahead of what promises to be a fierce battle, the two teams engaged in a humorous war of words during the media day.

Jeon Yeongmin reports.

[Reporter]

KT manager Lee Kang-chul and Samsung manager Park Jin-man, who are facing each other in the Korean Series as managers for the first time, reminisced about the past when they squared off 30 years ago in the 1996 Korean Series—Lee as the ace pitcher for Haitai and Park as a rookie shortstop for Hyundai.

[Lee Kang-chul / KT Manager: It was Manager Park's first year playing as the starting shortstop from the very beginning of the regular season as a rookie. I remember striking him out a lot.]

[Park Jin-man / Samsung Manager: When asked who was throwing pitches that were impossible to hit, I always mentioned Manager Lee Kang-chul. The ball would just disappear as it approached. If it weren't for Manager Lee, I might have batted .300.]

The two managers naturally offered contrasting predictions regarding the fates of two veterans—Samsung's Kang Min-ho and KT's Woo Kyu-min—neither of whom has won a championship ring despite careers spanning over two decades.

[Lee Kang-chul / KT Manager: Minho, you've already experienced the Korean Series once, haven't you? I hope you'll leave your next opportunity for another time. We need to win too. Sorry.]

[Park Jin-man / Samsung Manager: Kyu-min used to be my roommate when we were on the same team. Since I have six championship rings, I'll give him one of mine so that Kang Min-ho can wear a championship ring this year.]

Manager Lee Kang-chul confessed that he secretly enjoyed watching Samsung go through a grueling five-game series in the playoffs.

[Lee Kang-chul / KT Manager: I was grateful that it went to Game 5, just as we hoped.]

Meanwhile, the Samsung squad stated that they are now fully warmed up and asked for passionate support from Daegu's home fans, following a record-breaking number of spectators for the second consecutive year.

[Koo Ja-wook / Samsung Outfielder: I think a key point to watch will be which team attracts more fans.]

[Park Jin-man / Samsung Manager: I think the key point will be how enthusiastically our fans cheer when 'Eldorado' plays at the ballpark in the 8th inning.]

KT will send out Daniel while Samsung will start Choi Won-tae as both teams vie to gain the upper hand in Game 1 today (November 3).

(Photo: Yang Doo-won, Video Editing: Park Jung-sam, Design: Yang Gi-tae)