“This is great. I think other players will feel less pressure.”
Yang reached the long-awaited milestone of 162 career wins on July 27 against the Gwangju LG. He pitched 6⅔ innings of three-run ball to lead Kia to a 6-3 victory. With the win, Yang moved into sole possession of second place on the all-time wins list, pushing commentator Jung Min-cheol (formerly of Hanwha) into third place. The leader, Song Jin-woo (Scoreboard Hyena), has 210 wins.
After the game, Yang Hyun-jong said he was happy.
“I’m happy. I was under pressure, but the other players were also under pressure. I felt that if I could achieve this record, everyone would be able to play comfortably. Now, I think the players will have less pressure in the next game I play, so I feel happy.”
Yang added, “I feel better with three wins this year than with 162 career wins because I’m playing a season. My career record was possible because I played steadily without getting sick. I’m sorry that it can be a burden for players to see their career records, and I had a burden too. The record will come if I don’t get sick and keep working hard. It’s up to me to do the rest,” he said.
- There was a crisis in the ninth inning. How did you feel about it?
“When I came down and watched the game, I think I was eagerly watching when (Choi) Jimin threw or (Jung) Hae-young threw. I wanted to beat my career record as soon as possible.”
- In addition to wins, he is second in innings pitched and strikeouts.
“I think that big records can only be achieved with consistency. In the case of 162 wins, I was conscious of it because it was right in front of me, and I wanted to break it sooner rather than later, but for the rest of the records, I can only get there if I work harder. So it’s better for me 먹튀검증 (not having the pressure). I feel like the only thing I have to do is keep working hard on the mountain.”
- It sounds like reaching 210 wins could be a new motivator.
“Numerically and realistically, I think it’s hard, but I think I’m going to have to work hard to get there because that big goal is so far away. I think it’s hard, but if I keep going for it, I don’t know what will happen later, so I’ll keep throwing with that hope.”
- What does he think is the secret to his long runs?
“First of all, my body is not that rigid. I’m naturally flexible. I stretch a lot, and I’m always grateful for the training part.”
- Do you have a routine outside of baseball?
“I don’t think I have a big routine. I try not to jinx things. For things like running, I’ve been doing it for more than 10 years and I adjust it according to my condition, but outside of baseball, I just try to stay as relaxed as possible.”
- On his eating habits.
“I don’t like alcohol, but I do like soda. I don’t think I’m too concerned about my eating habits. I eat what I want, and if I weigh myself and see that I’ve gained a little bit of weight, I eat a little less.”