Why did the right-handed ace, who had been on a roll after being the first-round pick and then winning rookie of the year, suddenly take time at Tokyo Dome to look back on his career?
So Hyeong-jun was named to the 30-man final roster for the 2026 WBC (World Baseball Classic) announced on the 6th. This is his third international tournament after the 2023 WBC and the 2024 Premier12. KT, including So Hyeong-jun, Ko Young-pyo, Park Young-hyun and Ahn Hyun-min, received manager Ryu Ji-hyeon's call.
So Hyeong-jun, who received the news of his national team selection at KT's first spring camp site in Geelong, Australia, left his impressions: "I wondered, 'Will I be chosen?' so I'm happy to have been chosen. Also, now that I've been chosen, I plan to take responsibility and get my physical condition in good shape. My goal is to join the national team in good condition."
So Hyeong-jun said he was even more excited because this WBC will be with the idol Ryu Hyun-jin, whom he had only seen on TV in his childhood. He said, "When I was young I watched senior Ryu Hyun-jin's Los Angeles Dodgers starts at home, and it's really amazing to be able to play on the national team with a senior like that. It also gives me pride that I have grown a lot. A dream has come true," he marveled.
Korea was drawn in a group with archrival Japan as well as tough opponents Taiwan, Australia and the Czech Republic. The top two teams in the group advance to the next round, and So Hyeong-jun expressed a strong desire to beat Japan. He said, "When I went to Tokyo Dome last time, I felt there was a big difference in level. I remember being shocked watching them," and added, "Anyway, baseball is a round ball, so this time I'll prepare better and go into the game thinking we can definitely win."
When asked specifically about the memories that shocked him, he said, "There are so many, but first I was surprised by the baseball passion of the Japanese fans who packed Tokyo Dome. Player posters were plastered all over the streets, and I was amazed by the plays shown at the stadium by both pitchers and position players. I thought, 'What kind of baseball have I been playing up until now?' "
So how should he manage his mentality at Tokyo Dome? So Hyeong-jun said, "I have to keep my heart rate as low as possible. Honestly, a lot of Korean fans will come and shout a lot, so I don't think it will be that difficult. Of course, just standing on the Tokyo Dome mound can be a burden, but I experienced it once before, and this is the second time, so I think I'll be able to pitch with a good mentality," offering a positive forecast.
So Hyeong-jun's first goal for the WBC is to be assigned a starting role and be responsible for one of the four group-stage games. He said, "I haven't gone to the national team and served as a starting pitcher yet. Of course, if they tell me to come in relief I'll do my best in that role, but starting pitcher is the role I do best, so I want to start one game."
He added, "As I wear the Taegeuk mark I will play with a sense of mission. I know Korean fans give passionate support, so I will do my best to produce results that meet expectations."
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