Seoul: Before joining the Hanwha Eagles as a temporary injury replacement in early April, right-hander Jack Cushing had limited knowledge of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Although familiar with some friends who had played or were playing in the league, Cushing was eager to experience it firsthand.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cushing shared his enthusiasm, saying, "It's been awesome. I've just really enjoyed it," during an interview before the Eagles' game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. His stint with the Eagles, however, is set to conclude this week as his six-week contract, designed to cover for injured pitcher Owen White, expires on Friday. White, who suffered a hamstring injury on March 31, is set to return to action over the weekend.
Cushing expressed a determined focus on his performance rather than the looming end of his contract. "Every day, I'm going out there, throwing my game, competing, but I'm not really putting any attention toward that time expiring," he stated. Despite uncertainty about his future, Cushing remains open to opportunities, particularly within the KBO, where his versatile pitching style could be an asset to teams in need.
Throughout his temporary tenure, Cushing has demonstrated his adaptability, starting in his debut and transitioning to a bullpen role in subsequent games. His record includes a 1-2 win-loss tally, three saves in four opportunities, and a 4.82 ERA over 18 2/3 innings. Despite a couple of challenging outings, his overall performance reflects a promising 2.03 ERA when excluding those games.
Cushing described the shift from starter to reliever as manageable, attributing his ease in adjusting to his extensive experience in both roles. Beyond his on-field achievements, Cushing highlighted the camaraderie and friendships formed with his teammates as the most rewarding aspect of his KBO experience. Despite cultural and language differences, Cushing found a supportive and positive environment within the team.
Reflecting on his time with the Eagles, Cushing remarked, "Everybody has been so positive, and everybody has accepted me for who I am. I think that's one of the coolest things I'll probably take away from this whole experience -- just how supportive everybody is."