(WBC) S. Korea manager thanks veteran pitcher for service after crushing defeat | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK MIAMI, March 13 (Yonhap) -- As he tried to pick up the pieces following a crushing knockout loss at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) on Friday, South Korea manager Ryu Ji-hyun thanked his veteran pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin for years of his national team service. South Korea manager Ryu Ji-hyun watches his team play the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park in Miami on March 13, 2026. (Yonhap) When asked why he'd chosen Ryu Hyun-jin to start the win-or-go-home game, Ryu Ji-hyun had said Thursday: "Because he's Ryu Hyun-jin. He is the pitcher that we trust the most." This was Ryu Hyun-jin's first WBC since 2009 and his first national team tour of duty since 2010. Only days away from his 39th birthday, Ryu Hyun-jin most likely has pitched his final international game for South Korea. "First off, I want to thank Hyun-jin," manager Ryu said. "Ever since I became the national team manager in February last year, he had expressed his strong desire to make the national team.

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MIAMI, March 13 (Yonhap) -- As he tried to pick up the pieces following a crushing knockout loss at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) on Friday, South Korea manager Ryu Ji-hyun thanked his veteran pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin for years of his national team service.
Ryu Hyun-jin was charged with three runs on three hits in only 1 2/3 innings of work as the Dominican Republic pounded South Korea 10-0 in the quarterfinals at loanDepot park in Miami.
Manager Ryu conceded defeat at his postgame press conference.
"In the opening round, we played the defending champion Japan, and then in the quarterfinals, we went up against the strong title contender in the Dominican Republic," Ryu said. "The Dominicans had strong pitching, and their lineup was also very powerful, with superstars up and down the order."
Ryu Hyun-jin's promising, scoreless first inning quickly gave way to an ugly second inning, when the Dominicans scored three times.
South Korea manager Ryu Ji-hyun watches his team play the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park in Miami on March 13, 2026. (Yonhap)
When asked why he'd chosen Ryu Hyun-jin to start the win-or-go-home game, Ryu Ji-hyun had said Thursday: "Because he's Ryu Hyun-jin. He is the pitcher that we trust the most."
This was Ryu Hyun-jin's first WBC since 2009 and his first national team tour of duty since 2010. He had previously helped South Korea win gold at the 2008 Olympics.
Ryu began his Major League Baseball career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013 and was not available for WBCs, Asian Games or Olympic Games during his 10-season stint there.
Only days away from his 39th birthday, Ryu Hyun-jin most likely has pitched his final international game for South Korea.
"First off, I want to thank Hyun-jin," manager Ryu said. "Ever since I became the national team manager in February last year, he had expressed his strong desire to make the national team. He has been really exemplary on and off the field, and that is why he has remained a competitive starter for the national team at his age.
"It would have been better if he had completed that second inning," the manager added. "But I want to acknowledge him for doing his best until the end."
The fact that Ryu Hyun-jin got the start in the team's elimination game at age 38 also illustrates the lack of young pitching in the South Korean talent pool. Manager Ryu said he'd like to see more homegrown pitchers take on bigger roles on their respective Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) clubs.
South Korean players walk off the field at loanDepot park in Miami after losing to the Dominican Republic 10-0 in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic on March 13, 2026. (Yonhap)
"Today, we see about three to four Korean starting pitchers per team in the KBO, but that number has to increase if we are to become more competitive internationally," Ryu said. "In these tournaments, it's also obvious that our pitchers don't throw as hard as others. I hope we build a better foundation for pitching, starting at the student level, and make the national team more competitive."
Ryu Ji-hyun's contract was to run through the WBC, and it expired with South Korea's loss Friday.
When asked how he felt South Korea can improve in the future, Ryu said: "It's not for me to talk about what the team should do. I think those discussions can be had later."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Manager Ryu conceded defeat at his postgame press conference. "In the opening round, we played the defending champion Japan, and then in the quarterfinals, we went up against the strong title contender in the Dominican Republic," Ryu said. "The Dominicans had strong pitching, and their lineup was also very powerful, with superstars up and down the order." Ryu Hyun-jin's promising, scoreless first inning quickly gave way to an ugly second inning, when the Dominicans scored three times.
- Only days away from his 39th birthday, Ryu Hyun-jin most likely has pitched his final international game for South Korea. "First off, I want to thank Hyun-jin," manager Ryu said. "Ever since I became the national team manager in February last year, he had expressed his strong desire to make the national team.

### Areas for Consideration
- I think those discussions can be had later." jeeho@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #World Baseball Classic Articles with issue keywords Most Liked U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Most Saved U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Lee says to swiftly introduce fuel price cap as Mideast crisis intensifies Lee urges caution over reform measures to minimize side effects (LEAD) Gov't to take steps to implement fuel price cap this week as Mideast crisis intensifies Most Viewed All Categories S.

### Implications
- When asked how he felt South Korea can improve in the future, Ryu said: "It's not for me to talk about what the team should do.
- I think those discussions can be had later." jeeho@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #World Baseball Classic Articles with issue keywords Most Liked U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Most Saved U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Lee says to swiftly introduce fuel price cap as Mideast crisis intensifies Lee urges caution over reform measures to minimize side effects (LEAD) Gov't to take steps to implement fuel price cap this week as Mideast crisis intensifies Most Viewed All Categories S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers ryu, korea, hyun topics. Notable strengths include discussion of ryu. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 859.