Seoul on the 22nd, “The starting pitcher for the opening game is Ryu Hyun-jin, who is not on other teams.”
Ryu Hyun-jin will start the regular season opener against the “defending champion” LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 23rd.
It is the first time in 12 years that Ryu Hyun-jin will start the KBO League opener since 2012, just before entering the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB).
Ryu Hyun-jin pitched in 186 games in 11 years from 2013 to 2023 in the MLB, posting a 78-48-1 save ERA of 3.27.
Ryu Hyun-jin, who stressed several times that he would return to Hanwha while his strength remained, returned to Hanwha for the first time in 12 years and kept his promise.
In this year’s exhibition game, he showed off his unique sophisticated ball control, allowing nine hits and three runs (3.00 ERA) and nine strikeouts in two games and nine innings.
He showed off the prowess of a “monster pitcher” without using 100% of his power yet.
Ryu Hyun-jin first started as an “opening game starter” in 2007, his second year in the KBO League, and also announced the start of the regular season in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012.
However, in the KBO opener, he received a report card that did not fit his reputation.
Ryu Hyun-jin’s KBO opening performance is 1-3 with a 5.81 ERA.
He only won against the SK Wyverns (currently SSG Landers) in 2009, but struggled with each opening game.
If he breaks the jinx in his sixth KBO opening game, he can win the KBO opening game for the first time in 15 years.
Ryu Hyun-jin, who has won 98 games (52 losses, 1 save and 2.80 ERA) in his career in the KBO League, is also aiming for his “99th win,” which is the same as his back number.
Coincidentally, Jamsil Stadium heralded the birth of a monster pitcher. Ryu’s opponent in his KBO debut match was also LG.
Ryu Hyun-jin made his debut splendidly on April 12, 2006, against LG in Jamsil, with three hits and 10 strikeouts in seven ⅓ innings.
After dominating the KBO League, he moved to the U.S. and also set the first Korean record of starting the MLB opening game (2020-2022) for three consecutive years.
Korean fans will be able to see Ryu Hyun-jin, who returned from a spectacular U.S. life, from the first day of the 2024 season.
Ryu Hyun-jin overwhelmed his opponent with a career-high 22 wins and 8 losses and an ERA of 2.36.
However, the LG lineup is completely different from 12 years ago.
Last year, LG ranked No. 1 in this category with OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.755. As the team’s batters are not losing power, the team is looking forward to a head-on match with Ryu.
LG, which won the combined title (regular league, Korean Series) last year, will start the opening game with Detrickens, a left-handed player who has experienced baseball in the U.S. and Japan.