[breaking news] Ryu Hyun-jin officially retires from Korea University! "I think it's the last time."→It's an honor to be able to do this until the end."

*This content was translated by AI.

Korean Monster Ryu Hyun-jin (39, Hanwha Eagles) has officially announced his retirement from the national team.

Ryu Hyun-jin started against the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) quarterfinals at Rondipo Park in Miami, Florida, at 7:30 a.m. on the 14th (Korea time), but he was sluggish with three hits, two walks, one strikeout and three runs in one ⅔ inning. The team also ended the tournament's schedule by losing the cold game in the 0-10 and 7th inning unfortunately.

Ryu Hyun-jin's appearance on the day drew a lot of attention. This is because it was likely to be his last appearance as a member of the national team. Unfortunately, however, he ended the game without completing two innings against the Dominican Republic's batters, which were full of Major League super stars.

When asked about his future plans for the national team at the mixed zone after the game, Ryu Hyun-jin said, "I think it's the last time," effectively expressing his intention to retire. "I feel like the end ended unfortunately, but rather than having a special feeling, I am personally honored to be able to do it (as a national team) so far," he said.

Ryu Hyun-jin, who has been on the mound for the national team for about 20 years since the 2006 Doha Asian Games, returned the national flag after this tournament. Ryu Hyun-jin, who played in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2009 WBC, and 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, finished his second WBC in 17 years. He did not forget to encourage his juniors, saying, "I think this game will be the starting point and (the players) will be able to do well."

In particular, he gave a firm and warm trust to concerns about the generational change of the national team and the absence of "post-Ryu Hyun-jin." Ryu Hyun-jin said, "It's a great experience for our young pitchers to come here and play," and stressed, "Still, facing off with the best players in Major League Baseball would have been a big enough study in Korean baseball and the next international tournament."

Regarding the result of the game, he also expressed his responsibility as an ace, saying, "I'm sorry for the early loss." However, he thanked his colleagues for doing their best until the end, saying, "I'm sorry that the fielders couldn't buy time to adapt."

With Ryu Hyun-jin's announcement to retire from the national team, Korean baseball has come to an end of an era. Although "National Team" Ryu Hyun-jin on the mound is the last, his experience and legacy will now be left to the young pitchers.

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*This content was translated by AI.