Mudeung Baseball Stadium in Gwangju. The starting pitcher of the home team KIA Tigers was Yang Hyun-jong, a newly joined rookie and left-hander who received the first pick in the second round.

On the other hand, Ryu Hyun-jin, a monster left-hander, started the opposing team. He became the title holder in the categories of wins (18 wins), ERA (2.23), and strikeouts (204) since his debut in 2006, and swept KBO Rookie of the Year, MVP and Golden Glove.

With everyone predicting Ryu's dominance, the outcome was as expected. Yang was dismissed early as he allowed two hits (one homer) and two walks, one strikeout and three runs in the ⅓ innings. He suffered a loss in tears. In the eighth inning, Ryu gave six hits (one homer) and one walk, five strikeouts and two runs. He led the team to a 7-2 victory to secure the starting pitcher's win.

Seventeen years have passed. The two players, who had mixed feelings in the past, are more likely to face off each other in the KBO League this year. "I think I was desperate to win the game back then. If they can have showdowns as starters this season, I think I can learn a lot from them," Yang said.

Yang, who had painful experience as a rookie, quickly grew into Kia's starting ace. After the 2020 season, he signed a split contract with the Texas Rangers of the U.S. Major League Baseball. After spending the 2021 season in the U.S., he returned to Kia in 2022. Becoming a flagship franchise star, Yang spent a total of 16 seasons with the Kia Tigers. In 2,332 ⅓ innings in 484 games, he earned 168 wins, 113 losses, and a nine-hold ERA of 3.81. He ranks second with the most wins among all pitchers in the KBO League history (No. 1, Song Jin-woo with 210 wins).

Ryu Hyun-jin also expanded his playing field. After playing for the Hanwha Eagles through the 2012 season, he joined hands with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2013 season. After the end of the 2019 season, he became a free agent and moved to the Toronto Blue Jays. While filling the starting lineup for the Toronto Blue Jays through the last season, he became a second free agent. He chose to return to Korea this year. On the 22nd, he signed an eight-year contract with the Hanwha Eagles for a total of 17 billion won (including opt-outs, which was not disclosed under agreement between the two sides). It is the largest in Korean baseball history.

Naturally, attention was focusing on the re-confrontation between Yang and Ryu. Yang recalled their showdowns when they were rookies. "I think I really wanted to win back then. I remember exactly that," Yang said. "My brother was already a player who peaked at a young age, and I was a starting pitcher when there was a gap."

"It wasn't an easy game, so everyone seemed to be thinking, 'How can KIA win?' So I struggled on my own. I tried to win somehow, but I was eliminated too quickly," he said. "There are a lot of data screens at that time. It was a game where I shed tears. I still remember that game a lot."

"As time passed, I gained a lot of annual leave as well. When I watched the video of the game, I sometimes wonder, 'Wow, why did I do that?' However, I also learned it because I thought it was really urgent," Yang said. "I think I wanted to break all prejudice. Of course, Ryu Hyun-jin won the game with good pitching. What a great memory. Time flies so fast."

As Ryu Hyun-jin returns to the KBO League this year, attention is focusing on Ryu and Yang's showdown. Yang said, "I think it would be a lot of pressure if we really face each other. Still, it was good that you looked bright," adding, "Based on the articles, I thought that you would be able to play baseball comfortably. It was good to see you because you looked very bright."

"When I meet my brother again, I try to cheer for our batters," Yang said. "On the contrary, I can win only when I catch Hanwha batters well," he said. "Honestly, I don't think I should beat him. It would be nice if I could focus on blocking Hanwha's batters and our batters target him. I will cheer for KIA batters."

"HYUNJIN is still under pressure. I also respect him. It will be fun if they compete with each other," he said. "When I was young, both my brother and I threw fast balls over 150 kilometers per hour, but neither of us can get that much speed anymore. I want to learn from how the game is run."

Yang Hyun-jong also stressed, "My brother is a player that I can only really respect in many ways. Regardless of winning and losing, I think it will be a game that I learn a lot from."

The automatic pitching judgment system (ABS), also known as "robot referee," will be introduced in the KBO League this year. "I think curveball is the most advantageous among many pitches. I've rarely used curveball so far, but I think I have to increase my ratio this season compared to last year to survive," Yang said. "With the application of ABS, curveball will likely be the biggest weapon. I expect that pitchers who throw curves as second pitch will have a relatively advantage."

Ryu Hyun-jin also plays curveball. His slow curveball attracted attention last year. "Your curveball angle is very wide. Of course, you excel at everything, but I believe your curveball will shine brighter with the introduction of ABS," Yang said. When asked if he would like to ask Ryu what curveball he has in mind, he replied, "Wouldn't that be too much for each other? I don't think it would be right for him to suddenly go and ask him, 'How do you throw?'" Yang said. "If I meet him, I will focus on the stories that happened in the U.S.."

Yang is preparing well for this season. He threw 50 pitches through bullpen session on Tuesday. "I am not in bad shape. I am trying to prepare well in time for the opening of the season as I am not sick at all," Yang said. Regarding bullpen session, Yang said, "I cannot be satisfied. I think I am always lacking. Still, I am happy that I am doing well without any injuries," adding, "I am doing well in many ways, including the number of pitches I have to pay attention to."

After pitching, Yang talked with the judges to check the strike zone. "A ball that used to be a strike before was definitely not in the zone, and if it's not in the zone this season, it can be judged as a ball," Yang said. "As sensors work to make decisions, you have to deal with them well. I talked with the judges about that."

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