Super awesome match. The face-off that hasn't been seen in 18 years, will it finally happen?

Jul 20, 2025

Super awesome match. The face-off that hasn't been seen in 18 years, will it finally happen?
The game between Hanwha and SSG at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 29th, and Ryu Hyun-jin is smiling regretfully by allowing a first solo home run to Eredia in the bottom of the second inning. Incheon= Reporter Huh Sang-wook's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.06.29/



Super awesome match. The face-off that hasn't been seen in 18 years, will it finally happen?
Lotte-SSG match held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 14th. Kim Kwang-hyun, who handled Kim Min-sung with a double play in the top of the fourth inning with one out and one on the first base, is delighted. Incheon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.6.14/
The national left-hander aces who haven't faced each other since 2007. Now that I'm in my late 30s, the possibility of a success finally increases.

Doosan Bears and SSG Landers face off at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 20th. The starting pitcher of SSG on the day is left-hander Kim Kwang-hyun. And on the same day, Hanwha Eagles and KT Wiz faced off at KT Wiz Park in Suwon. Hanwha's starting pitcher is left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin.

If this rotation remains the same, the two will play a starting big match in the showdown between SSG and Hanwha at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 26th.




There is only one variable. There is a possibility that it will rain in the middle or that one team's starting rotation will be changed. There have already been some changes in the rotation as canceled games have been released due to rain shortly after the start of the second half. In the case of SSG, Drew Anderson took the mound first against Doosan on the 19th as Mitch White originally prepared for the first and second games but was canceled for the second consecutive game. And Kim Kwang-hyun will take the mound on the 20th, a day later than scheduled. Hanwha's rotation was also pushed back by one day due to the cancellation game.

It is the first face-off between Ryu Hyun-jin and Kim Kwang-hyun since their debut. Ryu Hyun-jin, who made his KBO League debut in 2006, and Kim Kwang-hyun, who made his KBO League debut in 2007. The two, who are a year apart, have quickly distinguished themselves since they were rookies and have already grown into national team ace in their early 20s. They were also young guns representing Hanwha and SK (current SSG), respectively. However, there was never a face-off.

In the past, a face-off was almost made, but it was canceled due to the rain that day, and Ryu Hyun-jin has since advanced to the Major League. There is no place to meet at all. Kim Kwang-hyun also returned after playing for two seasons in the Major League in the 2020-2021 season, and Ryu Hyun-jin made a comeback to Hanwha last year, giving him a chance to face off again.




Another national left-hander Yang Hyun-jong, who is the same age as Kim Kwang-hyun, has faced off several times, but this is the first time that Ryu Hyun-jin and Kim Kwang-hyun have faced each other. Now in their late 30s, the two will be interested in the result of their first showdown as much as their deep friendship.

For now, SSG will keep its rotation intact if there is no cancellation game. Anderson, Kim Kwang-hyun, and White are scheduled to take the mound one after another in the three consecutive games against Hanwha. Director Lee Sung-yong said, `If it rains or it rains, there may be variables, but I'm going to just go, if possible. If nothing happens, I think I'll go as it is."





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.