The baseball world mourned the loss of Baek In‑chun, who died at the age of 83 after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was found unresponsive at his home in Cheonan and was rushed to Dankook University Hospital, where he remained on a respirator until his passing.
Baek’s name is synonymous with excellence in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). In 1982, his rookie season with MBC Chungryong, he posted a .412 batting average — the only time in Korean professional baseball history a player has finished a season above the .400 mark.
A Career That Spanned Two Nations
Over a 23‑year career, Baek not only dominated the KBO but also showcased his talents in Japan, where he accumulated 1,278 hits. He returned to Korea as a player‑manager, later serving as a hitting coach and eventually guiding the LG Twins to a Korean Series title in 1990, earning Manager of the Year honors that same season.
His influence extended beyond the dugout. The Korea Pro Baseball Players Alumni Association instituted the Baek In‑chun Award to recognize the league’s most outstanding high school or college hitter each year, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire new generations of hitters.
Baek’s family had long opposed the use of life‑sustaining treatments. After a series of cerebral infarctions in recent years, they chose to forgo further medical intervention, a decision that was respected by his caregivers and the medical team.