"Monster's 20th anniversary was special, too."' Ryu Hyun-jin and Bae Ji-hyun couple donated 200 million won to baseball for children with cancer and young boys, "I want to return the love I received from my fans."

*This content was translated by AI.

"Korean Monster" Ryu Hyun-jin (39, Hanwha Eagles) celebrated his 20th anniversary.

Ryu Hyun-jin Foundation said on the 9th, "Ryu Hyun-jin and announcer Bae Ji-hyun donated a total of 200 million won to mark the 20th anniversary of the player's professional debut."

Ryu Hyun-jin joined Hanwha as the second runner-up in the second round of the 2006 KBO Rookie Draft after graduating from Chang Young-cho, Dongsan Middle School, and Dongsan High School. As of the 9th, he played in 246 KBO games before the game, recording 118 wins, 67 losses, one save, a 2.94 ERA, 443 walks and 1509 strikeouts in 1577 ⅔ innings.

In 2013, he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) and played the best as a player who went straight from the KBO. He went through the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays and recorded 78-48 losses with a 3.27 ERA and 236 walks and 934 strikeouts in 1,055 ⅓ innings. In 2019, he ranked second in the National League Cy Young Award with 14 wins and 5 losses with a 2.32 ERA and 163 strikeouts in 182 ⅔ innings. Returning to Korea in 2024, he led Hanwha to the first Korean Series in 19 years last year, his second year back.

According to the Ryu Hyun-jin Foundation, the donation was made based on the couple's desire to return the love they received from their fans for 20 years to society after taking their first steps on the professional stage in 2006. The donation will be used to foster youth baseball and support children with cancer, with 100 million won each.

First, 100 million won will be delivered to the "Korea Leukemia Children's Foundation," which has been steadily supported by Ryu Hyun-jin and Bae Ji-hyun. The donation will be used to support surgery and treatment costs for children with cancer and rare and incurable diseases who suffer from economic difficulties.

Ryu Hyun-jin and Bae Ji-hyun have donated 100 million won to the Korea Leukemia Children's Foundation for two consecutive years since 2022. Last year, he has been taking warm steps toward sick children for years, including 100 million won for rare and incurable children.

The remaining 100 million won will be invested in youth baseball development projects through the Ryu Hyun-jin Foundation. Specifically, the foundation, such as ▲ baseball scholarship support ▲ visiting baseball dream (baseball product support) ▲ CAMP RYU99 (youth baseball camp), plans to be used as a resource for a program to foster prospects this year.

Chairman Ryu Hyun-jin said, "We are happy to share a little bit of love from our fans as we mark the 20th anniversary of our professional debut," adding, "I hope that young players will develop their dreams of becoming professional baseball players in a better environment, and that sick children will be able to regain their health and play as much as they want."

Announcer Bae Ji-hyun, who participated in the donation together, said, "Being a mother of two children, I feel every day that nothing is more grateful and precious than growing up healthy," adding, "I hope our couple's little sincerity will be a hope to children and their families who are fighting the disease."

An official from the Ryu Hyun-jin Foundation said, "This sharing, which came at the most glorious time for individual players, will be a great example for young players. Last year's proceeds from uniform sales (about 140 million won) were also used for youth baseball scholarships and development according to the player's will. "We will operate transparently and responsibly so that donations can be delivered to places where they are absolutely necessary to create substantial changes," he said.

Meanwhile, the Ryu Hyun-jin Foundation plans to further accelerate its steps to expand the base of youth baseball, including the selection of baseball scholars, starting with the recently completed "1st Ryu Hyun-jin Bae Middle School Baseball Competition."

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*This content was translated by AI.