Veteran pitcher Yang Hyeon-jong of the KIA Tigers has demonstrated remarkable resilience and leadership, concluding the first half of the season with a commitment to his team despite facing personal and team-wide challenges. Throughout the season, Yang has been a cornerstone for the Tigers, pitching in 16 games and recording a 6-5 win-loss record with a 3.91 earned run average over 78 1/3 innings. His performance, particularly in the latter half of the season’s first segment, has been crucial in stabilizing the team’s pitching rotation.
Yang Hyeon-jong’s Performance and Evolution
While Yang’s innings-per-game average has seen a natural decline with age, he has consistently managed to pitch at least five innings per start, a vital contribution given the team’s circumstances. Early in the season, concerns arose regarding his fastball velocity, which hovered around 138 km/h. However, in his final start of the first half against the Lotte Giants on July 9th, he showed a resurgence, hitting a peak velocity of 144 km/h and averaging 140 km/h. This improvement indicates his dedication to maintaining his physical condition and effectiveness on the mound.
Considering his age, simply fulfilling his role as a starting pitcher would be commendable. Yet, Yang has exceeded expectations, often carrying a significant burden. The KIA Tigers have faced difficulties with their younger starting pitchers, including Kim Tae-hyeong and Hwang Dong-ha, who have struggled to consistently pitch beyond six innings. This has placed additional pressure on Yang, requiring him to pitch deeper into games than might be ideal for a pitcher of his experience.
Breaking a Losing Streak and Clutch Performance
Despite these pressures, Yang achieved a significant feat in July that no other KIA starting pitcher could match. On July 9th, he pitched a gem against the Lotte Giants, allowing only one earned run over five innings to secure a 5-2 victory, snapping a four-game losing streak for the team. He was the sole starting pitcher for KIA to earn a win in the team’s seven games during July. This performance was particularly impressive given the Lotte lineup’s offensive prowess, which had amassed 35 hits and scored 21 runs in the preceding two games.
Reflecting on his performance against the Giants, Yang noted, “Watching the games over the past two days, I truly felt the Lotte batters were in great form. I prepared extensively to counter them. I believed that rather than just avoiding them, I needed to attack aggressively to induce quick ground balls and turn them into outs. My own condition was good, so I felt I could attack more. Although I didn’t pitch many innings, I think I successfully completed five innings without issue.”
Managerial Trust and Strategic Pitching
The KIA management, particularly manager Lee Beom-ho, holds Yang Hyeon-jong in high regard. Efforts have been made to ensure he receives adequate rest by adjusting his pitching schedule. Crucially, when the team needed a win to break a losing streak, Yang was called upon to deliver. He shared insights into his mindset before the crucial start:
- The manager conveyed a message through the pitching coach: “This is the last game of the first half, and our middle relievers have also been resting, so we might be able to substitute them out early. I really want to win this game. Rather than pitching many innings, I want you to pitch with a focus on getting outs.”
- Yang added, “I try not to listen to too many things on the day I start because I get nervous. But the manager specifically asked for this message to be delivered. I felt the manager’s desire for a win and his trust in me.”
Yang’s approach to the season has been to set aside aspirations for high inning counts in favor of focusing on survival and effectiveness. He has worked with pitching coach Lee Dong-geol to develop a new curveball, a testament to his continuous effort to adapt and improve. Even as he approaches the twilight of his career, Yang remains dedicated to evolving his game.
A Philosophy of Continuous Improvement and Team Support
Yang expressed humility about his current capabilities, stating, “I feel I am still very lacking. If I recall the past, pitchers in my era had the strength to take responsibility for an entire game. That strength isn’t quite there now. I always feel indebted to the middle relievers. Looking at the first half of this season, no one pitched more than six innings, so I always feel apologetic and grateful to the bullpen.”
He continued, “I want to pitch more innings, and by pitching more, I hope to lessen the burden on the middle relievers. That’s my mindset. This feeling will continue into the second half and until the day I take off my uniform. I will always carry that spirit.”
Yang Hyeon-jong signed a contract extension with KIA before the season, a deal worth 4.5 billion won over two years with a club option for a third. With 2,735 career innings pitched, he is on track to potentially reach the 3,000-inning milestone, a rare feat in the KBO. Maintaining his position in the starting rotation is key to achieving this goal.
The Joy of Playing and Learning
Yang elaborated on the meticulous management he receives, saying, “The manager has managed me very carefully. When games were postponed or canceled, I had ample rest and also pitched. I don’t feel any physical strain. I simply enjoy being on the mound and pitching. It’s more fun, and I feel like I’m constantly learning even from the younger players on the team.”
He shared specific examples of learning from others: “Watching Kwak Bin pitch, I think, ‘Wow, his balance is truly excellent. That’s how a ball should be pitched.’ I learn from that. It’s the same when I watch opposing pitchers. I just want to play baseball for a long time. Baseball is so enjoyable and fun, and I feel happy playing it. Because of that, I always have the desire to learn more and do a little better.”
Yang’s enduring passion and commitment highlight his significance not just as a pitcher, but as a leader and mentor within the KIA Tigers organization, embodying the spirit of continuous effort and team support.
