Hanwha Eagles pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin had a big day at his first All-Star Game in 12 years, winning the Most Valuable Player award.
On June 6 at SSG Landers Field in Incheon, South Korea, Ryu pitched a one-hit shutout with one strikeout and no walks in a 4-2 victory over the Hanwha Eagles in the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO All-Star Game. He threw 12 pitches, with 10 fastballs and two sliders. His fastball touched 134 km/h.
Ryu was invited to the All-Star Game for the first time in 12 years, since 2012, the season before he was promoted to the Major League Baseball (MLB). He lost out to Yang Hyun-jong (KIA) in the Best 12 fan vote, but was overwhelmingly supported in the players’ vote and was named the Nanu All-Star starter by a total of 0.62 points.
But there were limitations. He couldn’t pitch full strength. Ryu had thrown 104 pitches in seven innings against KT three days earlier and hadn’t had much time to rest. Ryu wasn’t able to put much effort into the All-Star Game.
However, that didn’t stop him from considering the All-Star Game a “feast. “Of course, I’m happy to participate in the All-Star Game, and every athlete dreams of playing in the All-Star Game,” he said in a pregame interview, adding, “I don’t think I’ll be able to pitch a complete game, but I hope I can keep the bases loaded.”
Ryu’s wish became a reality. Working with catcher Park Dong-won (LG), Ryu got things off to a good start when he 먹튀사이트 induced a grounder to shortstop against Dream All-Star leadoff hitter Koo Ja-uk (Samsung). Facing No. 2 hitter Jung Soo-bin (Doosan), he drew a full count and struck out to load the bases.
With only one out in the inning, Ryu ended the inning with a fly ball to right field off the bat of No. 3 hitter Yang Ji (Doosan) to achieve his goal of a no-hitter. He handed the mound over to Ha Young-min (Kiwoom) in the bottom of the inning to complete his mission.
As the All-Star Game is not a regular-season tournament, players’ records don’t matter, but Ha’s pitching performance was as clean as any of the pitchers on the mound, earning him the Best Pitcher award. Ryu Hyun-jin and Jeon Sang-hyun (KIA) were the only two pitchers to pitch more than one inning at the Nanum All-Star Game and come off the mound without allowing a run or an earned run.
After the All-Star Game, Ryu said, “I’m very happy to be back after 12 years, and it’s meaningful to receive such a great award.” He said he was honored to receive the Outstanding Pitcher Award.
“I didn’t pitch a perfect game, but I was lucky to get a good lead from catcher Park Dong-won (with whom I worked well),” he said, adding that he pitched a no-hitter as promised.
After giving the fans a good time, Ryu Hyun-jin has vowed to improve in the second half of the season. After finishing the first half with 36 wins, 2 draws and 44 losses (0.450), Hanwha is looking to make a leap to the mid-table. On May 5, the team bolstered its coaching staff with the hiring of head coach Yang Seung-kwan and assistant coach Yang Sang-moon.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good time,” Ryu said, “and I’m determined to prepare thoroughly for the second half of the season so that we can do better.”