Ryu and Kershaw Retire from National Teams After WBC
1Korean baseball star Ryu Hyun-jin retired from the national team after the WBC.
2US pitcher Clayton Kershaw, his former Dodgers teammate, also retired that day.
3Fans are saddened as both legendary pitchers step down from national duty.
📖 Easy Explanation
🔍 Background
The South Korean national team recently concluded their run at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) after a disappointing loss in the quarterfinals.
📌 Key Points
Following this game, Ryu Hyun-jin, who has long led Korean baseball, announced his retirement from the national team.
Surprisingly, Clayton Kershaw of the US, who was a top pitcher alongside Ryu at the LA Dodgers, also announced his national team retirement on the same day.
Two legendary pitchers who defined an era have simultaneously taken off their national team uniforms.
💡 Why It Matters
We will no longer see these two players pitching with the Korean and US national team logos on their chests. However, the memories of the excitement and joy they brought to fans who stayed up late to cheer for them will last a long time.
📚 Glossary
WBCAn international baseball tournament where national teams from around the world compete.
콜드게임 (Coldeu-geim / Called Game)A rule that ends a game early regardless of remaining innings if the score difference is too large.
원투펀치 (Won-tu-peon-chi / One-Two Punch)A term referring to the most skilled and reliable first and second starting pitchers on a baseball team.