Noh Si-hwan (Hanwha), who topped the home run and RBI last year and stood tall as a troubleshooter representing the KBO League, expected Ryu Hyun-jin to return.
After graduating from Dongsan High School, Ryu started his professional career with the Hanwha Eagles in 2006, recording 18 wins and six losses with an earned run average of 2.23 204 strikeouts in his first year since debut, ranking first in multiple wins, ERA and strikeouts. He won both Rookie of the Year and MVP awards at the regular season, and even embraced Golden Glove in the pitching category. In 190 games as a member of the Korean pro league, Ryu had 98 wins and 52 losses with an earned run average of 2.80.
Since his debut in the big league in 2013, he played in 186 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, recording 78 wins and 48 losses and an earned run average of 3.27. In addition to 2013, his first year after his debut, he won 10 games or more four times in 2014, 2019 and 2021, and took the mound 11 times last year, recording three wins and three losses. His earned run average (ERA) is 3.46.
After completing his four-year contract with Toronto and becoming a free agent, Ryu opted to return to the Hanwha Eagles instead of staying in the Major League. The two sides reached an agreement in a broad framework, but failed to make an official announcement due to the need for detailed coordination.
When asked about the effect of Ryu’s return to the team at Naha International Airport in Okinawa, Japan on Tuesday, Noh said, “I think it will be a positive factor for the team. I think whoever the starting lineup is, the starting lineup will be higher than what I expect.” 유흥알바
The news of Ryu’s return has heated up the mood in the squad. “As a great player, I think many players are looking forward to playing baseball together and their performance this season. I feel like I am gaining a lot of confidence as well,” Noh said.
What does Noh think of Ryu? “We were not close to each other because we went to school in Busan, and we didn’t watch many games, but I thought he was really cool to see him advance to the U.S.,” he said. “I never expected to play in the same team, and I can’t believe it. We used to play in the camp together in Geoje Island, but now that we think we are playing in the same team, I have high expectations.”
He also said, “Geoje-do took good care of me and talked to me a lot, so I made a little acquaintance. At that time, we exchanged contact information. I texted him congratulations to talk about his return to Hanwha. There was no answer for a day, but a day later, he replied that he would do well.”
Noh Si-hwan said, “(Ryu Hyun-jin) is a senior who pranks a lot, laughs a lot, and suits him well. He is the oldest in the team now, but he talks to me well and approaches me in a friendly way, making me comfortable, so I don’t think I will have any difficulty adjusting to the situation. I hope my juniors will follow me well, and if I agree with them, I will come out good.”
Ryu Hyun-jin’s starting win and Noh Si-hwan’s home run are the best scenarios for Hanwha fans. “I think I’m the only one who needs to do well. Because Ryu Hyun-jin has so much experience and career, I think if I do it just last year, the fans will see what they want,” he said.
On this season’s goal, he said, “I want to do better, but I can’t guarantee it is baseball. I personally think it will be okay if the number of home runs is more than 20. I think I need to hit more RBIs than home runs. There is a high probability that I will be placed in the center of the lineup, and RBI means that I will get points, so I think I will play a big role when there is a runner.”