For winning an unprecedented three MVP awards, Sun Dong Yol was called "South Korea's national treasure" when he was an active player. And even after his retirement, he still is respected by everyone.
Sun made a "triumphant return" to Japan as the manager of the Samsung Lions, the 2005 South Korean professional league champions. The Lions will participate in the Konami Cup Asia Series which started Thursday along with the Chiba Lotte Marines, Taiwan's Sinon Bulls and the China Stars at Tokyo Dome.
Even among the top-flight players, Sun's presence is divine, and the players show him their utmost respect. Sun is a flexible-minded type of a manager, but still the players seemed serious during a workout Wednesday at the Big Egg.