Ryu Hyun-jin of the Hanwha Eagles Park in Daejeon took the mound for the first time in a long time. He started the 2024 professional baseball SOL (Sol) bank (Bank) KBO League exhibition game against KIA held on Sunday. He led his team to victory by allowing one run (one earned) with three strikeouts and no outs until the fourth inning. It is the first time in 4,177 days that Ryu has heard the cheers of the spectators at Hanwha's home stadium since the game against Nexen on Oct. 4, 2012 (former of Kiwoom). "I think I threw the ball in a fun way. When I took the mound, I felt happy because the cheers were loud," Ryu said smiling.
After finishing the game in the U.S., he returned to his former team. He signed an eight-year contract worth a total of 17 billion won (approx. All eyes are on his every move. Ryu's effect is amazing. Two consecutive games against Samsung were sold out from March 9 to 10. In the past, Hanwha sold out only twice from March 7-8, 2015. It was during this period when Kim Seong-geun was appointed as the head coach. In addition, 3,500 fans came to the site even though it was a daytime game on a weekday.
They are also leaving work en masse. A long line of fans is lined up. It could be burdensome, but Ryu shakes his head. Rather, he tries to enjoy this moment to the fullest. "Many people came even though it was an exhibition game. They waited for us even after the game. I feel like I need to work harder." Regarding a flurry of requests for autographs, Ryu said, "It will be difficult during the regular season, but I can afford to spare time as exhibition games ended relatively early. I am grateful just for your patience."
As he returned after a long hiatus, he has become unfamiliar with many aspects. Not only the newly introduced automatic ball-strike system (ABS), but also the aspects of batters he faced have changed significantly. "I think it was okay except for the different strike zones for each batter," Ryu said. He also showed respect for his opponent. Ryu allowed a timely hit to Kim Do-young (KIA) in the first inning of the game. "I got a hit on my first at bat, but I saw good bat control in my second at bat as well. I felt he was a good hitter," he said.
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