Ryu Hyun-jin reaches 100 wins “This is the first time I've celebrated like this...it feels great”

Hanwha won 8-2 at home against SSG Landers in the 2024 KBO Baseball World Series at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park on Tuesday.

Starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin (37), who earned his 100th career KBO victory, said, “My juniors doused me with water and gave me a congratulatory cake, which feels great. It's the first time I've ever received a congratulation like this.”

Ryu went six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits with two walks and one strikeout. His total pitch count was 103. His fastball topped out at 149 mph on 52 pitches, and he mixed in a changeup (20), curveball (18), and cutter (13).

Ryu made his KBO debut in 2006 and went on to win 98 games (52 losses) for Hanwha until 2012, when he moved on to the Major League Baseball (MLB). This year, he returned to Hanwha and recorded his 99th win against the Doosan Bears on Nov. 11.

He became the 33rd pitcher in the KBO to reach 100 wins in his career after failing to reach the milestone in his previous two starts.

With 78 wins (48 losses) in the MLB, Ryu has 178 career wins in the Korean Baseball Organization.

“I was a little nervous, but I was relaxed,” Ryu said when asked if he had any pressure to reach 100 wins, “and it was especially meaningful to get my 100th win in front of the home fans in Daejeon.”

He also expressed his gratitude to junior Noh Si-hwan, who hit the game-winning home run and played a perfect game on defense.

“I'm very grateful,” Ryu said, adding, “But with Noh's skill, I think he deserves it,” causing the press conference to burst into laughter.

When asked about his most memorable victory among his 100 wins, he said, “My first win after debut and today's win.” He added, “I don't have any greed about the record. However, I want to win 200 wins in the Korean Baseball Organization as soon as possible.”

Manager Choi Won-ho also commented after the game, “Ryu Hyun-jin pitched skillfully today to reach 100 career wins. I believe he will 토토사이트 continue to show his true colors with more and better performances as he has achieved a meaningful record. I want to congratulate him.”

Meanwhile, Ryu reached 100 wins in 197 games, making him the third player in history to win 100 games in the fewest games.

Former manager Kim Si-jin holds the top spot with 186 games, while former manager Sun Dong-yeol is second with 192 games.

He is the fifth Hanwha player to reach the 100-win plateau after Song Jin-woo in 1997, Chung Min-cheol in 1999, Lee Sang-gun in 2000 and Han Yong-deok.