Ryu Ji-hyun, 55, the newly appointed manager of the professional baseball team Hanwha Eagles, expressed high expectations for the team's autumn finishing camp, which kicks off in Miyazaki, Japan, starting from the 30th of this month.

During his inaugural press conference held at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark on the 16th, Manager Ryu emphasized the significance of the overseas training session scheduled for the entire month of November, stating, "Instead of calling it a finishing camp, this is the start of the 2027 season."

Returning to a professional dugout after four years, drawing on his achievements as the national team manager following his departure from the LG Twins in 2022, Ryu stated, "Becoming a powerhouse club is difficult with just the individual capabilities of a manager. I will establish system baseball where the club's firm direction translates into the players' on-field performance."

Regarding the composition of his coaching staff, Manager Ryu hinted that there are coaches he intends to bring in from other teams, noting, "The professional baseball season has not yet fully concluded."

Below is a Q&A with Manager Ryu.

- When did you receive the offer to manage Hanwha?

"I received the first contact the day after returning to Korea following the Asian Games. We talked about various things, and back then, it was just a general sounding out of intentions. During our second meeting, after Hanwha's final regular-season game, more specific discussions took place. As you know, I subsequently signed the contract on the 13th."

- What aspects appealed to you and made you accept the managerial position?

"I had already been thinking for a while that we would likely be a great fit. While serving as the national team manager, whenever I went to the stadium, I could watch games from the very center and closely observe the players, while also experiencing the passionate support of Hanwha fans firsthand. Those aspects came to me naturally, and I thought that if I harmony with these players, we could play good baseball."

- From an outsider's perspective, how would you evaluate Hanwha's overall performance this year?

"To be honest, this year was a difficult season. I understand that they had to manage a tough season due to injured players emerging early on. I don't want to evaluate last season; instead, I want to talk about the areas we need to establish. First is the pitching staff. It seems various confusions arose because the roles of starters, middle relievers, and closers were not firmly established. We plan to start training right away tomorrow and prepare step by step anew. Our 2027 season starts tomorrow." I also plan to examine the issue of overlapping fielder positions to find the optimal combination.

- Your use of data while serving as the national team manager was impressive. How do you plan to utilize it at Hanwha?

"It has been exactly three days since I became Hanwha's manager, and I have already held one meeting with the performance analysis team to categorize detailed metrics. Now, through coaching staff meetings, I intend to prepare various things step by step. I will also have sufficient conversations with the players to get to know them."

- Hanwha is a team that needs to produce immediate results. What are your plans for reinforcing the team through free agents (FAs)?

"I haven't discussed this with the club yet. The offseason is extremely important. I plan to calmly discuss the growth potential of young players and squad reinforcement with the club."

- How does it honestly feel to wear a Hanwha uniform after wearing only the LG uniform?

"The 29 years I spent as a player, coach, and manager at LG were certainly not a short time. Therefore, when I stepped down as manager, there were mentally challenging moments. Afterward, KBS gave me the opportunity to work as a commentator, which allowed me to view baseball from a different perspective, and I am also grateful that the KBO office selected me as the national team manager, giving me the chance to witness advanced baseball not only in the KBO League but also in Japanese professional baseball and Major League Baseball in the U.S. It was an invaluable time, and I believe these experiences will be of tremendous help to my coaching career moving forward. If I properly prepare what I have newly learned and integrate it into Hanwha, I believe we can build a wonderful team."

- Do you have any goals for next year or during your tenure as Hanwha manager?

"If you look at the teams that have recently won the KBO League, they are always teams that have maintained a top-tier rank for three to five years. That is why I emphasized wanting to build a sustainable powerhouse team. I can currently see 'gaps' in Hanwha, and I want to improve these areas one by one to build a team that can continuously knock on the door of a championship."

- What do those 'gaps' refer to?

"Looking at Hanwha this year, rather than moving in a single direction, the team made various attempts to establish a better direction, which seemed to cause confusion along the way. Also, upon coming in, I noticed there are a great number of young players. They are overall very young. I became convinced that depending on what direction we guide these players, it could turn into a completely different team."

- Do you think your experience with short-term tournaments as the national team manager will impact your return to a professional baseball managerial post after four years?

"Serving as the national team manager was a tremendous challenge and a huge opportunity for me. There were difficulties, but I always feel grateful for the fact that, ultimately, we produced results. The experience of playing every single game in short-term tournaments has truly become a major asset to me, and I have established my own principles through it. I believe it will also have a significant impact on carrying out my managerial duties at Hanwha."

- Any words for Hanwha fans?

"The passionate Hanwha fans shouting 'Choegang Hanwha' (Go Hanwha) whether winning or losing in the late innings of a game gave me a deep resonance. I was deeply moved. I will make sure the fans truly feel proud. I promise to work hard so that you feel happy when you leave the stadium and return home."

(Photo: Yonhap News)