“Korean Monster” Ryu Hyun-jin (37, Hanwha Eagles) played in the dream All-Star Game for the first time in 12 years and even held the best pitcher award. Although he was not able to pitch all-out, he still boasted his prowess by winning the award.
Ryu took the mound as the starting pitcher for the Nanum All-Star team at the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO All-Star Game held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on Sunday, and pitched one scoreless inning with one strikeout. Without allowing a single hit and four pitches, he succeeded in perfect pitching in the first inning.
It was the first time in 12 years that Ryu took the mound at the KBO All-Star Game since the 2012 season, just before he entered the U.S. Major League Baseball. Ryu took the mound as the starting pitcher of the Western League in the All-Star Game held in 2012, and successfully pitched two perfect innings before receiving the award for outstanding pitcher.
Ryu’s class remained the same. It was an All-Star game 12 years later, but he won the best pitcher award once again. Ryu Hyun-jin became the winning pitcher as Nanum All-Star, the starting pitcher of the day, defeated Dream All-Star 4-2. 메이저놀이터
As soon as Ryu took the mound, he did not throw any fastballs against leadoff hitter Koo Ja-wook, and only played breaking balls. Eventually, he threw a slider at the fourth pitch at the count of 1 to 2, inducing him to fly to the shortstop.
In fact, Ryu Hyun-jin started against KT on the 3rd and pitched well with two runs in seven innings. Therefore, it was true that it was difficult to pitch all-out in a situation where he was on the mound again in three days. Even before the game, Ryu Hyun-jin said, “I used to have a lot of seniors. Now I don’t see a few seniors above me. I feel that time has changed a lot. I didn’t prepare the performance in particular. I pitched two days ago, so it will be difficult to pitch all-out, but I still try to block it without losing a point.”
Ryu then gave up a full count and struck out swinging at the sixth pitch against Jung. While competing with Jung, he threw only one fastball, and all others were sliders. The next batter is Yang Eui-ji, who is the same age as him. Ryu threw a slider at the second pitch and threw it to right field to get out. Ryu finished his pitching by handing over the mound to Ha Young-min (Kium) from the second inning.
After the game, Ryu Hyun-jin won the Outstanding Pitcher Award and won the prize of 3 million won. “I’m back on the All-Star Game stage for the first time in 12 years, and it’s meaningful and happy to receive such a good award,” Ryu said. “It wasn’t an all-out pitch, but I think I was lucky to keep the scoreless thanks to the good lead of catcher Park Dong-won,” Ryu said. “I had a really good time after a long time. From now on, I will thoroughly prepare for the second half of the year so that I can show better performances.”
