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| Hyun-jin Ryu / Photo=GettyImages |
On the 14th (Korean time), Korea saw its tournament end with a 0-10 loss to the Dominican Republic in seven innings of the quarterfinal at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
Ryu, Korea's starter that day, lasted just 1 2/3 innings, allowing three hits, two walks and three runs and taking the loss.
He opened the game sharply. After an eight-pitch duel, he struck out leadoff batter Fernando Tatis Jr. looking, then retired Ketel Marte and Juan Soto on infield grounders to escape a 1-2-3 first inning.
Trouble arrived quickly in the second. Ryu issued a walk to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Manny Machado then popped out to left, but Junior Caminero followed with an RBI single to left to put the Dominican Republic on the board.
With one out and a runner on third, Ryu induced a grounder to shortstop from Julio Rodríguez, but the runner scored to extend the lead.
Ryu then walked Agustín Ramírez and surrendered a hit to Geraldo Perdomo, bringing up a two-on, two-out jam. Fernando Tatis Jr. delivered an RBI single, and Ryu was charged with three earned runs.
He handed the ball to Noh Kyung-eun and came out of the game. Noh struck out Marte, and no further runs scored.
This WBC very likely marked Ryu’s final appearance for the national team. Born March 25, 1987, he will soon turn 39, and his prospects for future international events — including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — look limited.
Despite the disappointing finish, Ryu leaves a deep imprint on the history of Korean baseball. Manager Ryu Ji-hyun said ahead of the game, \"We started Hyun-jin Ryu because he's Hyun-jin Ryu — our most trusted option.\"
Ryu earned a national-team call-up the same year he debuted professionally in 2006 and played in the 2006 Doha Asian Games. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he famously threw 126 pitches to beat Canada 1-0 in a complete-game victory. He then started the final against Cuba, delivering 8 1/3 strong innings and allowing two runs to help Korea claim the gold medal.
In the 2009 WBC, Ryu appeared in five games (two starts, three relief outings) and helped Korea to a runner-up finish. He stepped away from the national team after moving to Major League Baseball, but he returned to Korea in 2024 with the Hanwha Eagles and wore the Taeguk badge again after 16 years.
Earlier in this tournament, on the 8th against Taiwan in the first round, he worked three innings and allowed one run, showing he still had plenty left despite nearing 40.
The Dominican Republic again showcased its fearsome lineup, featuring Major League stars such as Juan Soto (New York Mets), Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado (San Diego Padres).
Still, Ryu showed up and treated the game like a final curtain call. While the result was disappointing, his national-team career is full of moments Korean baseball fans will remember for years to come.
[Sports Today reporter Shin Seo-young sports@stoo.com]
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