The “Returning Ace,” Ryu Hyun-Jin (37), hasn’t pitched yet, but it already feels like spring has arrived in Daejeon. The Hanwha Eagles, who have been struggling for years, are showing a hot streak from the start of the exhibition games, selling out daily.
Hanwha played a two-game series against the Samsung Lions in the opening of the 2024 KBO League exhibition games at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon on the 9th and 10th.
Even though it was a chilly weekend, the baseball fans filled the stadium for the exhibition games, which were not part of the regular season. Both games sold out, filling all 12,000 seats for two consecutive days.
The sold-out home game in Daejeon is the first time in nine years since March 7-8, 2015. In 2015 there was also a lot of interest as it was the first year that the “God of Baseball,” Kim Sung-Keun, took over Hanwha as the manager.
If it was the “Kim Sung Keun Effect” nine years ago, this time it’s the “Ryu Hyun Jin Effect.” Ryu Hyun Jin, who played in the Major League until last year, returned to his home team the previous month with a record-breaking contract of around $142 million.
Even though Ryu Hyun Jun, as a starting pitcher, has a set schedule, the fact that he has sold out for two consecutive days can be seen as stronger than the “Kim Sung Keun Effect” nine years ago. Even without Ryu’s pitching, fans are happy just to see him in a Hanwha uniform and get his autograph after the game.
After Ryu left for the Major Leagues, Hanwha went through a long, dark period. In the 11 seasons without Ryu, they made the postseason only once (in 2018) and finished last five times.
They tried their best, bringing in famous managers like Kim Eung Ryong and Kim Sung Keun and signing big free agents like Jeong Keun Woo, Jung Woo Ram, Kwon Hyuk, and Lee Yong Kyu, but it was all in vain.
However, this season is said to be different. Over the past five years, they’ve hit rock bottom with rankings of 9-10-10-10-9, but they’ve collected top prospects like Noh Si Hwan, Moon Dong Ju, Kim Seo Hyun, and Hwang Jun Seo, who are now starting to blossom.
In addition, they’ve strengthened their foundation by bringing in Chae Eun-Sung, An Chi Hong, and Lee Tae Yang from outside, and with the addition of Ace Ryu Hyun Jin, they can expect a rapid rise. The fact that they sold out an exhibition game for the first time in nine years, since 2015, also reflects the expectations of Hanwha fans.
Ryu is set to make his first exhibition game appearance in a home game against the KIA Tigers on the 12th. His appearance in the intrasquad game before the exhibition games has already made headlines, so Ryu’s performance on this day is expected to be in the spotlight.
Ryu will rest for three days after his first appearance on the 12th and pitch again on the 17th against the Lotte Giants, a popular team from the region known for its passion for baseball. Although the game is away in Busan, it is expected to attract many spectators.
Even though the regular season hasn’t started yet, and he hasn’t pitched in an exhibition game, the “Ryu Hyun Jin Effect” is clearly showing.
starburyny@news1.kr