Even if it was called "Era 5.03" after being discharged from the military, I was sorry', "I still remember the cheers of LG's first appearance in the return game... I'll repay you"

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins right-hander Lee Jung-yong (30) expected a different 2026.

"It was a good memory," Lee Jung-yong said through the club at the 2026 LG Spring Camp in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. On the other hand, I wonder what it would have been like if I had gone at a younger age. Still, it was a time where I clearly learned and felt a lot," he said.

Lee Jung-yong, who graduated from Youngil Elementary School, Sungnam Middle School, Sungnam High School, and Dong-A University, was nominated by LG as the first designation of the 2019 KBO Rookie Draft. After his debut in the first division in 2020, he quickly established himself as a must-win group and contributed to winning the 2023 Korean Series, before heading to the military at a late age of 28. Having served in the Armed Forces Sports Unit, he did not play many games due to back pain. With high expectations, he returned to the first team immediately after being discharged from the military on June 17. Lee Jung-yong said, "The most different thing (from before joining the military) is the mental state. Even when it was bad, I was able to prepare more flexibly for the next game. We still feel that the technical part is insufficient, so we need to continue to supplement it," he said.

Both the starter and the bullpen were immediately considered powerhouses as they had experience, but they couldn't. He recorded 6 wins, 1 loss, 7 holds, 1 save, an ERA of 5.03 and 12 walks and 26 strikeouts in 34 innings in 39 regular season games. However, he also took the lead in two games in the Korean Series and won his second championship ring.

Lee Jung-yong said, "The 2023 championship had the biggest impact in that it was in there as a player. It was also the first season in 29 years for the LG Twins to win, and there were many memorable games personally." "In 2025, I understood the minds of the players more while watching the game from the perspective of fans while serving. I thought I wanted to give good energy to the team when I was discharged from the military. As the good trend continued after returning, people around me said, "Isn't it a victory fairy?" The more I heard that, the more I tried to give more positive energy," he added.

Even though he somehow contributed to the team after returning, he was rather desperate. After stamping his way to Jamsil Baseball Stadium throughout the off-season, he also played as a starter in this spring camp and prepared for 2026 early. Lee Jung-yong said, "I was anxious because I needed reinforcement after the end of the season. But I made up my mind stronger and worked out hard. I tried to be stronger mentally, and as I worked out with that thought, my body got better and better," he laughed.

He said, "I told him not to overdo it in the conditioning part, but I personally got a little greedy. I went to Jamsil early and took a lot of exercise to gain weight and build a stronger body. He ate three meals regularly, and then used the extra time to perform Pilates and treatment. He revealed his daily life during the offseason, saying, "As I built my body in a certain pattern, I gained strength well."

He cited the fact that he can raise his physical condition early in a warm place as an advantage of the advance team. Lee Jung-yong said, "My physical condition was not 100% because I couldn't start from last year's spring camp. So I was half worried and half excited, but as I trained in the camp, my mind was leaning more toward expectation," he said with a smile.

"Even if it's not 100%, I feel that it's better than last year. The most important thing is not to be sick. In order to throw a stronger ball than last year, I am studying while watching more pitching videos than before. We are receiving a lot of help from the data analysis team and the coaches, and we continue to check in our personal time," he said, expressing extraordinary determination.

He hoped to regain the past, which overwhelmed sluggers with one fastball in the past. Lee Jung-yong said, "I'm a 'pitcher with a fastball No. 1'. I want to show you that again, so I'm checking the mechanism. In particular, we are paying more attention to the separation of the upper and lower body and the use of the lower body, he said. "It was nice to see people helping us in the U.S. remember." I try to give brighter energy, too. The atmosphere is part of the performance," he said with a smile.

Lee Jung-yong, who described his personality as fiery, said, "I'm an aggressive pitcher. However, I want to throw a ball that is heavy and powerful as the batter feels, not just a pitcher who throws a fast ball. There are many pitchers who throw fast balls these days, but I'm the way I look when I pitch with strength in each ball and the next ball comes to life more."

"I want to create a flow where the power of the direct ball presses the batter and the breaking ball comes to life together in it. In the end, he stressed that his goal is to become a pitcher who can give a feeling of "the ball is good" and bring the flow of the game when he goes on the mound.

To the fans who waited for him for a long time, he said, "I still remember the cheers from the fans during my first return appearance. I'm sorry I couldn't repay you with my grades, but if you keep supporting me, I'll make sure to repay you. As much as the fans call it "Seungyo," he expressed his strong ambition, saying, "I will be a player who makes the winning trend for the team."

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*This content was translated by AI.