"What can I do about LG doing well?" There are as many as seven people heading to WBC... The era of 'National University Twins'

*This content was translated by AI.

Even Won Tae-in (Samsung) was pulled out due to an unexpected injury, and Yoo Young-chan (LG) filled the spot. As a result, the number of LG Twins players participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) has increased to a whopping seven.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) said on the 15th, "We confirmed LG Yoo Young-chan as a replacement for Samsung's Won Tae-in, who has become difficult to participate in the WBC due to injuries, and asked the WBC Organizing Committee to approve the replacement of players."

In the past, Doosan Bears players went to international competitions as regular guests, and they were nicknamed "Korea Bears," but now they are the trend of "Korea Twins." What is the reason.

The easiest way to explain this phenomenon is the KBO League report card in recent years. Doosan only failed to advance to the fall baseball in 18 seasons, starting in 2004 and until 2021. It was one of the most consistent and powerful teams, and Doosan players were forced to become regular guests of the national team at every international competition.

In particular, from 2015 to 2021, Doosan showed dignity in playing in the Korean Series for the first time in seven consecutive years, with eight players in the Premier 12 in 2015, eight in the WBC in 2017, six in the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games in 2018, and six in the Premier 12 in 2019.

The tide has changed since 2021. LG took over Doosan's baton, and LG, which has been in autumn baseball for seven consecutive years since 2019 and was the strongest team since 2020 as the winner of the Korean Series in 2023 and last year, has produced the most national team players in this tournament after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (4), followed by the 2023 WBC (6), the Hangzhou Asian Games (3), and the 2024 Premier 12 (6).

It was the expected result. Earlier, as many as eight LG players also joined in the first camp held in Saipan last month.

Among them, Hong Chang-ki was eliminated from the highly competitive outfield and Yoo Young-chan from the bullpen, but Won Tae-in's sudden departure brought Yoo Young-chan back. Despite the absence of the starting pitcher, manager Ryu Ji-hyun filled in the name of Yoo Young-chan, who finished the winning team and already trained together to confirm his ability, rather than forcing additional selection according to his role.

This is proof that LG players are excellent. If you look at the noodles, you will nod. Son Joo-young and Song Seung-ki, who are listed as pitchers along with Yoo Young-chan, are left-handed pitchers and are resources that will add color to the national team's starting lineup.

With Yang Eui-ji (Doosan) and Kang Min-ho (Samsung) leaving the national team, catcher Park Dong-won is the most advanced player in terms of game management and experience. Moon Bo-kyung, who can play not only third base but also first base, and Shin Min-jae, the main character of the second baseman Golden Glove, were also expected to be selected.

Park Hae-min was selected as the outfielder, and he was the best defensive center fielder in the KBO and the leader of the fielders in Ryu Ji-hyun-ho, eventually wearing the national flag.

However, Hanwha and KT, which produced the second-largest number after LG, are four, and the gap is very large, raising concerns among LG fans.

As it is a competition ahead of the opening of the season, it is raising its pace faster than in previous years, and many players are already leaving due to injuries in the process. Even when looking at past tournaments, players suffered from injuries in the league after the tournament. LG fans' concerns are not for nothing.

However, for players, WBC is the most prestigious competition, such as the World Cup of soccer and the Olympics of general sports, so it can be an opportunity to take more pride. Furthermore, we can expect to be able to compete with the world's best players and gain momentum to further develop as a player.

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*This content was translated by AI.