Seoul: Now entering his 20th season in professional baseball, Kia Tigers pitcher Yang Hyeon-jong is determined to prove skeptics wrong. Despite winning three Korean Series championships and receiving both the regular-season and Korean Series MVP awards, Yang's team has also experienced its share of struggles, including finishing last in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) in previous seasons.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Kia Tigers are not favored to succeed this year. After winning the 2024 Korean Series title, the team stumbled in 2025, finishing eighth out of ten teams. Compounding their challenges, the Tigers lost All-Stars Park Chan-ho and Choi Hyoung-woo to free agency during the offseason, leading many to believe that the team is weaker than before.
Yang, at 38, expressed his frustration with the low expectations during a media event in Seoul. He emphasized that the loss of key players does not automatically make the team weak and urged his teammates to focus on proving critics wrong on the field rather than engaging in tough talk. Yang highlighted last season's disappointing performance as a reminder that predictions do not always reflect reality.
As his career enters its final stages, Yang has shifted his focus from personal achievements to prioritizing the team's success. He is already the KBO's all-time leader in strikeouts and ranks second in innings pitched. However, Yang has set aside personal milestones to concentrate on contributing to the team's victories.
Yang dispelled rumors of prioritizing his stats over the team's needs, insisting his long innings have always aimed to alleviate the bullpen's workload. As age affects his physical capabilities, Yang has adapted by opting for quality over quantity in his pitching, acknowledging that his role might be more effective in shorter stints.
With an adjusted approach and a team-first mentality, Yang Hyeon-jong is eager to demonstrate that the Kia Tigers can defy the odds and succeed this season.