Korea’s best left-handed ‘Kwang Hyeon-jong’ big match? How should I view Kim Kwang-hyun: Sports Dong-a

Gwang-hyeon Kim (SSG Landers) and Hyun-jong Yang (KIA Tigers), 34 years old, have many things in common. Having experienced various international competitions and major league performances, they are undoubtedly the best left-handed pitchers in Korea.

Kim Kwang-hyun recorded 136 wins, 77 losses and 2 holds in 298 KBO league games, and an earned run average (ERA) of 3.27. He was absent from injury from 2013 to 2019, and he won 10 victories in six straight seasons, with the exception of the 2017 season. Yang Hyun-jong is also not easy. He has a 147-95, 9-hold, 3.83 ERA in 425 games played, and won 10 or more for seven consecutive years from 2014 to 2020. Both of them lacked the title of the best pitcher at all.

Both returned to the domestic stage ahead of the 2022 season. Kim Kwang-hyun returned after experiencing the US stage for two years (2020-2021 season, St. Louis Cardinals) and Yang Hyun-jong for one year (2021 season, Texas Rangers). In the demonstration game, Kim Kwang-hyun has 2 games, ERA 1.80 (5 innings, 1 run), and Yang Hyun-jong is 3 games, 1 win, ERA 1.42 (12.2 innings, 2 runs). As a result, more attention is focused on whether the two will face-to-face.

Watching the pitching of the two stronger than before in one match is a significant success factor for the league. Since Kim Kwang-hyun is expected to enter the regular season after completing at least one more actual pitching, the immediate possibility is low, but there is a good chance that the starting rotation will overlap during the 16 regular season team matches.

Hyunjong Yang of KIA. photo courtesy of | KIA Tigers

I was curious about Kim Kwang-hyun’s gaze looking at this. He, who has always mentioned ‘fans’ needs’ after returning to Korea, also sympathized, saying, “What the fans want is a face-to-face match (with Yang Hyun-jong).” Still, he said, “You shouldn’t get hurt by forcibly adapting to the match. If he thinks of just one game and gets injured, he could mess up the whole season.”

But once the rotations match, there’s no reason to avoid it. Kim Gwang-hyeon said, “I don’t feel like I’m avoiding the game where (Yang) Hyun-jong plays.” “The season is long. He’s competing in good faith and I hope he can bring his fans to the ballpark.” If a match is made, he is read as a will to show his best appearance.

Reporter Kang San posterboy@donga.com View more articles by reporter