Ryu Hyun-jin (37) of the Hanwha Eagles started the game against the Lotte Giants in an exhibition game held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 17th, and pitched 76 pitches, six hits, no hits, four outs, and two runs in five innings. 안전놀이터
It was the last rehearsal ahead of the regular season opener against the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium on the 23rd and successfully concluded it.
While throwing 76 pitches, he threw 40 four-seam fastballs, 16 changeups, 12 curves, and eight cutters. His maximum speed hit 144 kilometers. This was lower than his maximum speed of 148 kilometers, which he recorded in the match against KIA in Daejeon (62 innings, three hits, three strikeouts and one run) on Wednesday, when he was playing for the first time in an exhibition game, but he displayed impeccable ball control. He showed off his performance as a control artist without regret, allowing any four outs during two exhibition games and nine innings.
He had a hit, but none of his hits were hit by a regular hitting. He confounded batters with his ball control. He also garnered six strikeouts by cleverly utilizing the strike zone. However, the process of allowing two runs left much to be desired for everyone including Ryu Hyun-jin.
He allowed an infield hit to Noh after two outs in the bottom of the third inning. He headed toward Ryu Hyun-jin and blocked him with his glove, but failed to lead to an out. Then, he gave up a hit to the right field to Reyes, facing a crisis of two outs and runners on the first and second bases. Then, he induced a fly ball to the right field against Jeon Jun-woo. It seemed to be a normal fly ball.
However, right fielder Lim Jong-chan stayed still after the ball hit the ground. However, the pitch fell far below where Lim was standing. It was a hit that everyone thought was catching, but Lim lost the ball. Second baseman Hwang Young-mook chased after him belatedly, but failed to catch the ball and all the runners eventually stepped home. Ryu gave up two runs in vain. Ryu also tried to return to the dugout after the ball hit, but had to take the mound again after seeing that he missed the ball. Psychological turmoil is inevitable.
As an ace, however, Ryu made up his mind to himself. He resolved the situation by himself so that it would not spread further. He encountered Yoo with two outs and a runner on the second base, and struck out three pitches with all his might. He threw a 124-km changeup to the outside to take the lead in strikeouts, and stuck the 143-km fastball to his body on the second pitch. Two strikes. He then poked a fastball 143 kilometers toward his body again. He froze Yoo with a superb pitch on the border line. He struck out three pitches to end the third inning by himself.
After the game, Ryu was asked about the situation. When asked if there was any psychological agitation when he struck out Yoo Kang-nam on three pitches, he said, "There was none at all." Then, he realized how Lim Jong-chan felt when he missed the ball. Lim Jong-chan (23), born in 2001, is 14 years younger than Ryu Hyun-jin. Since he made a mistake when he gave up a point to his senior teammate, he could not have felt comfortable. Still, he thought he had to concentrate more to relieve the burden.
Ryu Hyun-jin said, "I was just thinking that the pitcher should focus more and not be hit by the next batter. If the pitcher shakes after such a situation, I thought that the fielder who made the mistake would shrink and be more difficult. I think I always focused more after those mistakes or errors." He comforted his scapegoat, saying, "I think Gangnam was a little unlucky."
Im Jong-chan, however, made up for his defensive mistakes at the plate. Im Jong-chan also had four hits in the game on the 16th, and he also had three hits and four RBIs on the day Ryu Hyun-jin took the mound. He cleaned up his regret in defense from the offense and helped his seniors again.
Eagles TV, Hanwha's YouTube channel, even caught Ryu Hyun-jin giving a cheek touch to Lim Jong-chan, who was crouching in front of him. He made a mistake
Ryu, who played in the Korean pro baseball league until 2012, had the skills of an "ex-KBO" player at the time, but his team failed to support Ryu's skills. While Ryu was still with the Hanwha Eagles, his team remained at the bottom. Ryu was the "boy breadwinner" who fed the Hanwha Eagles. The 25-year-old boy breadwinner decided to enter the big league and joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the most prestigious baseball teams in the world, through the posting system. Even when he left, he paid Hanwha a transfer fee of $25.737,737 and an exchange rate of 28 billion won at the time. This amount was mostly spent on the construction of Hanwha's Seosan Training Center.
Then, he made his comeback to the Hanwha Eagles in 12 years. Now, he is back as a real breadwinner, not a boy breadwinner. He has grown into a mature team leader, and has come back to keep his promise that he will retire at the Hanwha Eagles. He was not without a big league offer, but he made his comeback with an eight-year, 17 billion won contract, expressing his desire to return to the Hanwha Eagles when he is healthy. Hanwha also did its best to understand and wait for Ryu's situation, and treated him as worthy of his name.
Hanwha, where Ryu Hyun-jin became the leader, is considered one of the dark horses in the top five. With Ryu's return, he has also made investments in the FA market, including Chae Eun-sung and An Chi-hong. How far will Hanwha, which Ryu Hyun-jin reigns as the leader, change and soar.