The 'Ryu Hyun-jin Effect' led by Hanwha KS in 8th place, the national team also felt it properly! Coaches are also consoled by their leadership, saying, "The commander is also grateful."

*This content was translated by AI.

He led the eighth-ranked team to the Korean Series (KS) in a year, which was truly remarkable. Ryu Ji-hyun (55), manager of the Korean national baseball team, thanked veteran Ryu Hyun-jin (39).

The national team beat the Hanwha Eagles 5-2 in the second practice game compared to the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) held at Kochinda Baseball Stadium in Yase, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan on the 21st.

Kim Joo-won's dramatic three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning marked the national team's first win. Starting with starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin, there was a mound that showed stable performance, so it was possible to turn the tables. The game, which started by Ryu Hyun-jin and ended with Cho Byung-hyun, was so stable that three pitchers except Song Seung-ki (2 runs in 2 innings) pitched perfectly.

In particular, Ryu Hyun-jin's performance was better than expected. The maximum speed was only 141 kilometers per hour. However, only 19 balls were used to clean up two innings with excellent control. Hanwha batters' bats were also in vain for a variety of pitches, including 12 fastballs, 4 changeups, 2 curves, and 1 cutter.

It was a pitching that washed away 100 percent of the concerns when he was selected for the national team. According to Yang Sang-moon, Hanwha pitching coach who met before the game, Ryu Hyun-jin had been in some physical condition before this Australian spring camp. Coach Yang Sang-moon explained that he was serious about joining the national team, with 2 to 3 kilometers per hour of arrest coming out more than in last year's spring camp.

After the game, national team coach Ryu Ji-hyun said, "It was very encouraging that Ryu Hyun-jin made a calculated pitch. The speed seems to be about 141km/h, and I would like to praise that the ball's movement was very good. The movement is good, so the batters were deceived by the change-up," he praised.

The positive influence of Ryu Hyun-jin joining was great outside the mound. Ryu Ji-hyun felt the need for a veteran by giving up 23 pitches in two warm-up matches against Japan in the K-BASEBALL series held in November last year. Noh Kyung-eun (43), the undisputed hold king, and Ryu Hyun-jin, the returning ace of the national team, were considered the right players to take the center stage.

And their leadership has brought up a national team frustrated by a series of recent injuries. Ahead of the final announcement of the national team on Feb. 6, seven players were left consecutively due to injuries. Ryu Hyun-jin was as determined by the injury evil spirit that even coaches were embarrassed. Manager Ryu Ji-hyun said, "The overall team atmosphere was down a lot (due to many injuries). However, Ryu Hyun-jin comforted the coaches. "I used the expression, 'It's okay, we just have to stick together,' but as a director, I was very trusting," he said.

The head coach who experienced the Ryu Hyun-jin effect earlier was in the opposite dugout. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon used Ryu Hyun-jin 18 years ago to win the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and win all nine games. In 2024, 16 years later, he was appointed as Hanwha and joined the Korean Series for the first time in 19 years.

Manager Kim Kyung-moon said, "I was also with Ryu Hyun-jin in 2008. Ryu Hyun-jin may go to the mound and throw well, but he will give a lot of advice to his juniors from behind. I think the role will be very big, and if he is in good condition, he will be put in where the national team wants to play his role well enough," he said with a smile.

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*This content was translated by AI.