Ryu Ji-hyuk (27-Samsung Lions) is starting over with ‘blue blood’.바카라사이트
Ryu Ji-hyuk moved from the KIA Tigers to the Samsung Lions in a trade on May 5. In need of a starting catcher, KIA acquired Kim Tae-gun from Samsung.
Ryu, who joined the Doosan Bears in the fourth round (36th overall) of the 2012 KBO Draft, moved to KIA via trade in 2020.
He was considered to be versatile, as he could play all positions in the infield and hit in the mid-to-late 20s in the offense.
Ryu, who was batting 2-for-6 right before the trade, arrived in Pohang on the fifth day of the game and played as a pinch-hitter. He didn’t get a hit in his first two at-bats, but in his third at-bat, he smashed a two-run double to the right-center field fence, ending his Samsung debut in style.
“After arriving at the ballpark, I kept checking myself, and I thought I could play,” said Samsung manager Park Jin-man ahead of the game on June 6. “When you come to a new team, there can be pressure to show, but I got a long hit in my last at-bat, so I think I can play today in a relaxed manner.”
Ryu Ji-hyuk said, “I heard the news yesterday (May 5) during the day. I thought KIA would make a trade, but I didn’t think it would be me,” he laughed.
“I came just in time for the game, and I was just playing like I was on the original team,” Ryu said. “Even though I’ve been traded once, I couldn’t get used to it, but I think the trade happened because the country needs players.”
“I was closest to Oh Jae-il, so I trusted him, but he left (due to injury), and even though he’s a year older than me, we’re in the same grade, so we played together in the youth national team and were in the military together,” Ryu Ji-hyuk explained.Sudden trade news. The news of Ryu Ji-hyuk’s departure brought tears to the eyes of KIA’s young players. Ryu said, “I was dreaming of a happy future with my juniors at KIA. I told the players, ‘We can do it. We can win the championship,’ but I was traded,” he lamented. At the same time, he laughed, “Now I have to dream of a happy future at Samsung.”
The Kia fans were also disappointed, as the team has a unique spirit of fan service. “You have to show your skills on the baseball field, but I think it’s also important to look good. I realized that I hadn’t lived in vain, and I wanted to do better in the future,” he said.
Luckily, he started getting hits from the first game, and the adjustment went smoothly. Ryu said, “Yesterday, it was crazy. I didn’t even know if it was a changeup or a fastball,” he said. “I struck out and regained my composure. I think it’s my first time hitting long. Even KIA called me and said, ‘Why didn’t you hit for KIA?'” he said.
Coincidentally, Ryu made his Samsung debut against his “home” team, Doosan. “They joked that Doosan players had played in Seoul, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang, and the only team left was Chungcheong Province,” Ryu said.
Park wanted Ryu to be the centerpiece between the younger and more experienced players in the infield. Ryu Ji-hyuk also said he would focus on his relationship with the younger players at Samsung. “It’s not that I’m leading the team, but it’s important if we stay friends and talk a lot,” he said.
Ryu’s jersey number is 42, the same number worn by Kim Tae-gun. Although he didn’t choose the number, Ryu said, “I got a hit from the first game. I feel like I’m in good spirits,” he said.