I think I want to be the strikeout king before retirement, but I don’t have much desire for strikeouts.”
He became the top strikeout player in the 43-year history of the KBO League, beating legendary Song Jin-woo (2048K). His presence matches his nickname “Great Pitcher.”먹튀검증
Yang took the mound as a starter and allowed seven hits and four runs in five innings against the Lotte Giants held at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 21st. His teammates cheered up and produced a 6-5 come-from-behind victory, which allowed him to celebrate after the game.
Unfortunately, he failed to become the winning pitcher on the day of his feast day. However, he struck out seven during five innings on the day. Yang, who was two behind Song with 2,046 total before the game, has finally become the No. 1 in strikeouts. Now, it is a new era in which no one has struck out.
Yang has never won the title of strikeout king. Literally, Yang stands out from the virtue of “steadiness,” which Yang has always emphasized. On the day, Yang not only struck out in his career but also achieved 100K for 10 consecutive seasons since 2014. It is his third record after Lee Kang-cheol and Jang Won-jun. If Yang achieves 100K next year, he will also set a new record.
Yang remained calm even after receiving congratulations from his teammates, ranging from ice water to drinks and shampoo. He said, “I thought I would break it someday. I didn’t pay much attention. It will remain a very meaningful record after some time, but I still can’t believe it.”
“I also want to be the strikeout king before retirement. However, I struck out a lot when I was young, and I didn’t have much desire to strike out while playing baseball. As I always say, innings are the most important to me. Wouldn’t it be strikeouts that increase naturally if you play a lot of innings? Of course, there are some unbelievable innings (3003 innings) by Song Jin-woo, but I believe he will catch up someday if he doesn’t get sick.”
Commentator Jeong Min-cheol also said, “After retirement, you will realize that it is a truly remarkable achievement.” However, Yang stressed, “I am still an active player. I have to run for a new record again. I don’t feel very proud right now.”
Regarding the somewhat early replacement, he said, “Changeup definitely didn’t work. It was supposed to fall out, but the worst trajectory came out and Son Ho-young hit it well. I thought it would remain as if I was stuck in that real pitch. I said I wanted to throw more, but the coach was firm,” adding, “I want to say thank you to the bullpen pitchers. I’m sure you’ll expect me to throw long on the day I come out, but I’m sorry I went down from losing.”
A milestone is defined not only in skills but also in good health. Whenever Yang achieves a new record, he recalls KT coach Lee Kang-chul. Just as the team represents “10 consecutive wins for 10 years,” the term “10 consecutive years” itself is a modifier of the team’s coach Lee Kang-chul.
“Whenever I set a 10-year record, I want to brag about it to manager Lee Kang-chul,” Yang said with a big smile. “Did you win KT today?” Yang asked, “Then you will give me a congratulatory call first,” and when he answered that he won, he said with a smile. “He was the one who raised pitcher Yang Hyun-jong and made my routine,” Yang added.
“He’s been watching me from the side since I was young. He made me do what I had to do with pressure and instillation since I wasn’t finished as a starting pitcher. That accumulated and made me the person I am today. It’s really hard, but it hurts if I don’t. Mine is completed around 2016. Regardless of my performance, I became a pitcher who can throw on the mound steadily without getting sick. As I learned then, the amount has decreased a little now, but I am doing it steadily and I will continue to do it. I try not to compromise with myself.”
Yang Hyun-jong is focusing more on 170 innings for the 10th consecutive year. Yang Hyeon-jong said, “I feel really good to be in the spotlight today and to be the main player of the most strikeouts, but 170 innings is the record I’ve dreamed of since three to four years ago. It is the biggest task and goal of my life. If I achieve 170 innings for 10 consecutive years, won’t it be the proudest day of my life?”