South Korean baseball star Hyun-Jin Ryu has been notable for his resilience and determination. The pitcher went to Major League Baseball, the largest baseball league in the world. He currently plays the starting pitcher position for the Los Angeles Dodgers of MLB. Turning professional in 2006, he completed six seasons of his career in the Korean Baseball League before joining Major League Baseball. He is notably the first South Korean baseball player to appear as a starting pitcher in the MLB playoffs. Learn more about him below.
Biography of Hyun-Jin Ryu
Hyun-Jin Ryu first came to this world on March 25, 1987; He was born in Seung-Soon Park and her husband, Jae-Cheon Rhy, in Incheon, metropolis of South Korea. As he grew up, Rhy was naturally left-handed, and his father gave him a right-handed glove so he could learn to use his left hand perfectly. He graduated from Dongsan High School in Incheon and also earned a master’s degree in community physical education from Daejeon University.
During his high school career in 2004, Ryua suffered an injury that led to him having Tommy John surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament. Upon his return in 2005, the pitcher led the high school team to compete in the National High School Blue Dragon Open competition, where he was named the tournament’s top pitcher. His team also took part in the Asian Junior Baseball Championship held in Seoul, South Korea, in 2005. In particular, he helped the player to reach the finals while recording 14 strikeouts in the play-off.
After an impressive career in 2005, Hyun-Jin RyuHanwha Eagle of the Korean Baseball League was selected in the second round of the 2006 draft. The pitcher made his first appearance for the Eagles on April 12, 2006. At the end of his rookie season , Hyun-Jin Ryu won Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year awards; as well as the Triple Crown pitcher after leading the league in pitching this season. Ryu had a total of 205 strikeouts in his freshman year.
Hyun-Jin Ryu continued to register excellent improvement in his pitching skills and adaptation to the professional league. He led the South Korean baseball team to win the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the following year he also led the South Korean team which finished third in the Los Angeles World Baseball Classic.
MLB Career
As Hyun-Jin Ryu was experiencing a career boom, the pitcher declared his interest in joining the American Baseball League. However, it brought so many MLB teams that sought his services to South Korea. He then signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers to a six-year contract worth $36 million in 2013.
The South Korean star made his first MLB appearance on April 2, 2013. After an impressive year as a rookie, Ryu was named to Baseball America’s All-Rookie Team. In October of the same year, Ryu became the only South Korean pitcher to ever start a Major League playoff game.
The following year, Hyun-Jin Ryu missed so many games due to injuries, but finished the season with a record of 14 – 7. He continued to register significant improvement in his game while adapting to the pattern of MLB game. He underwent surgery to repair a shoulder injury in 2015, and in 2016 he also underwent surgery on his left elbow. Rebounded in 2017, the South Korean star recorded 116 strikeouts in the season, but his 2018 season was cut short by more injuries. Nonetheless, Ryu played in 24 games with a total of 85 strikeouts during the season.
Salary gains of Hyun-Jin Ryu
Undoubtedly, the South Korean baseball star has done a lot of stunts since the start of his career. He has also acquired enormous wealth for himself and currently leads a lavish lifestyle. Recall, he signed a six-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013, bringing his base salary to $6 million a year. After his impressive performances, Ryu has been on a base salary of $7 million since 2016. His contract with the Dodgers will expire by the end of the 2018/19 season when he will become an unrestricted free agent.
Who is his girlfriend?
Hyun-Jin Ryu is undoubtedly a tall and skilled player, but behind every successful man is a strong and loving woman. Ryu is in a relationship with his longtime love, Bae Hyun-jin. Bae is a famous South Korean television personality and an anchor associated with the Seoul-based network called Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation. She holds a degree in Mass Communication from Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea. The amazing TV presenter has appeared on different shows including Guangzhou Asian Games, Infinity Challenge, and MBC News Desk, among others.
The couple started their relationship several years ago when Ryu was still playing in the Korean League. Interestingly, they announced their engagement in September 2017, and on January 5, 2018, they walked down the aisle. It was fun at the Shilla Hotel where many of their friends and family came to watch their wedding ceremony.
His height and weight
Height: Hyun-Jin Ryu stands at a height of 6 feet 3 inches.
Weight: The Dodgers pitcher has a weight of 113 kg