“I also want to learn from young pitchers.”
Yang Hyeon-jong (KIA), along with Kim Kwang-hyeon (SSG), is the oldest on the mound of the WBC national team. Director Lee Kang-cheol believes in the experience of the two and is preparing for an irregular operation. There is a high possibility that Yang Hyeon-jong and Kim Gwang-hyun will take the mound as a middle relief pitcher and take responsibility for an important point. In the WBC, which has a pitch limit, especially in the first round, there is no need to consider the concept of starting, middle, and finishing. 안전놀이터
Yang Hyeon-jong and Kim Gwang-hyeon also have an obligation to provide invisible power to Korean baseball as ‘role models’ for young pitchers. Excluding Eui-ri Lee (KIA), who receives a lot of help from Hyeon-jong Yang in his team, it is rumored that Chang-mo Koo (NC) and Yoon-shik Kim (LG) have high expectations to receive the ‘Hyeon-jong Gwang Buff’.
On the 15th (Korean time), Yang Hyeon-jong said, “Usually the first day of the national team is chaotic. Still, there seems to be a lot of conversation going on. Having dinner with players I’ve never seen or players I don’t know, talking to, and exercising the next day, we naturally become close.”
Lee Eui-ri also showed extraordinary affection. Yang Hyeon-jong said, “When I talked about something, I was excited and wanted to do well. I know, but I hope you don’t overdo it. He is a friend who is burdened with nails and blisters, but if it is not good, it becomes a minus for the team for a long time. I wish I didn’t overdo it. I think he will show a good image if he improves his condition as he is doing now.”
Furthermore, Yang Hyeon-jong looked forward to meeting Gu Chang-mo and Kim Yun-shik. The two are going to the big international competition of the adult national team for the first time. “I want to create synergy with young left-handed pitchers. I also want to learn everything about young pitchers.”
I was lost in old thoughts for a while. Yang Hyeon-jong said, “He was young, and he played and pitched without hesitation. It reminds me of the old days. Koo Chang-mo and Kim Yun-shik are pitchers who throw very well even during the season. I’m envious and while doing various sports, I still live longer than those younger siblings, so I want to tell you what I want to tell you. I think what I can learn from my juniors is learning from the national team.”
Yang Hyeon-jong is a byword for consistency, playing 170 innings every year and never having suffered a major injury even after his debut. He is so good at managing his body. He said, “I am trying to teach young pitchers the know-how to manage their bodies, when they are tired during the season, and when their pitches drop. I don’t know if it would be helpful to share my experience, but I’ll try to share it with my juniors as much as possible. I also have something to learn from the younger players. If I have any questions, I plan to approach my juniors without hesitation and have a lot of conversations.”
He also talked about his sense of responsibility for the Taegeuk mark. Yang Hyeon-jong said, “When I was young and now, if I put the Taegeuk mark on all international competitions, my mindset changes and I work harder. There is a sense of responsibility and weight of the Taegeuk mark. There will never be a lazy player. We have pride, and we are a team that goes out for our country. I have a mind to throw even one more game, even one more ball.”