Ryu Hyun-jin Announces Retirement from National Team: A Look Back at His Legendary Career

Ryu Hyun-jin / Photo provided by Getty Images

[Sports Today Reporter Shin Seo-young] Ryu Hyun-jin — the Hanwha Eagles ace widely regarded as one of South Korea’s greatest pitchers — has announced his retirement from the national team.

South Korea, managed by Ryu Ji-hyun, fell 0-10 to the Dominican Republic in a quarterfinal at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on the 14th (Korean time). The game was called under the seven-inning mercy rule.

Korea had advanced to the quarterfinals after a dramatic 7-2 win over Australia in the opening round and hoped to ride that momentum into the semifinals. The Dominican Republic’s lineup, however, proved too powerful.

Ryu, the day’s starter for Korea, took the loss after 1.2 innings, yielding three hits, two walks and three runs. He retired the side in order in the first inning but struggled in the second, allowing three runs and leaving the game without completing the frame.

According to Yonhap News, Ryu told reporters after the game, “I think this is the end,” officially announcing his retirement from the national team. “I’m disappointed by how it ended, but it was an honor to return to the national team and to be with the younger players,” he added.

Ryu has left a lasting mark on the history of Korea’s national baseball team. Manager Ryu Ji-hyun leaned on that pedigree before the Dominican game, saying, “He’s Ryu Hyun-jin — so of course I started him. He’s our most trusted option.”

Ryu was selected for the national team right after his professional debut in 2006 and played at the Doha Asian Games that year. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he tossed 126 pitches in a 1-0 complete-game shutout against Canada. He then started the final against Cuba, delivering 8.1 strong innings and allowing two runs to help Korea secure the gold medal.

In the 2009 World Baseball Classic, he appeared in five games (two starts, three relief outings) and helped Korea finish as the runner-up. After moving to Major League Baseball and dealing with injuries, Ryu stepped away from the national team following the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. He returned to the Hanwha Eagles in 2024 and donned the national jersey again after 16 years.

On the 8th, he had shown he still had plenty left, pitching three innings and allowing one run against Taiwan in a first-round game.

The Dominican Republic once again fielded one of the tournament’s most fearsome lineups, featuring MLB stars such as Juan Soto (New York Mets), Fernando Tatis Jr., and Manny Machado (both San Diego Padres).

Still, Ryu embraced his final appearance with resolve. While the result was disappointing, his national-team career is packed with moments that Korean baseball fans will remember for years to come.

[Sports Today Reporter Shin Seo-young sports@stoo.com]
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