Ryu Hyun-jin Shares His Journey from MLB to Hanwha Eagles in First Lecture

In his first lecture on MBC's 'Heartfelt Speakers' (심장을 울려라 강연자들), Ryu Hyun-jin reflected on his nearly 30-year baseball career, detailing his journey from Major League Baseball (MLB) to his return to the Hanwha Eagles. During the episode aired on December 15, Ryu revealed behind-the-scenes stories from his MLB debut.

Ryu made his MLB entrance in 2012 by signing a six-year contract worth approximately 39 billion won with the Los Angeles Dodgers. When asked why he chose the Dodgers among many teams, he explained, "The posting system allowed the team that offered the highest transfer fee to negotiate exclusively for 30 days, and the Dodgers offered the highest amount (around $26 million)."

However, the negotiation process was not easy. Ryu shared, "I had to sign within 30 days. Not even a second could be wasted," revealing that he completed the deal just three minutes before the deadline. The key point he insisted on was the 'minor league refusal clause.' He recounted, "The team said they couldn't include it because even great players like Clayton Kershaw didn't have it initially, but I insisted on just that clause. The contract was finalized with three minutes to spare."

Why was the minor league refusal clause so important to him? Ryu explained, "I was the first Korean player to enter through the posting system. I was confident in my abilities and wanted to be recognized for my value in MLB. I thought that having such a precedent would help future Korean players receive better treatment, so I removed unnecessary conditions."

Ryu's path was not without challenges. In 2015, he underwent surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder, which sidelined him for the season. The surgery was considered a death sentence for pitchers, with only a 7% chance of returning to the mound, leading many to believe he would not come back.

Despite the odds, Ryu persevered through extensive rehabilitation and made a triumphant return after 640 days, marking the revival of the 'Korean Monster.' However, another setback occurred when he suffered a groin strain during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which again put him out for the season. He admitted, "At that time, I really thought it might be the end, and I wondered if I could continue."

During this challenging period, Ryu credited his wife and fellow MLB All-Star Shin-Soo Choo for helping him regain his motivation. He recalled, "My wife encouraged me, saying, 'You can do this. Why are you thinking weakly? You’re someone who can definitely do it.' I was grateful for her support."

After 12 years in MLB, Ryu returned to Korea to rejoin the Hanwha Eagles. He explained the pivotal reason for his return: "Before leaving Korea, I promised the Hanwha Eagles fans that I would come back when I was healthy. I wanted to return not just to compete but to contribute to winning. It all aligned perfectly, so I came back to keep my promise."

Looking ahead, Ryu expressed his hopes for the Eagles in 2025, stating, "We are challengers now, and I want to aim for the championship." Regarding retirement, he mentioned, "I think I will retire when I feel fear facing opposing batters on the mound, but currently, there’s no one I find intimidating."