Deoksu, who won the Shinsegae E-Mart Cup in April and the Golden Lion in May in succession, is considered the strongest candidate in this presidential Cup. Both pitching and hitting players are armed with ultra-luxury members who are comparable to the national youth team. On the same day, he passed the first gate without wearing one-two punch Chung Hyun-woo and Kim Tae-hyung, and took the first step toward winning three gold medals in the national championship.
Ryu Hee-dong, a third-year right-handed pitcher, contributed the most to the victory. He took the mound as the second pitcher with runners on the first and second bases with no outs in the third inning when Deoksu was trailing 2-3, and struck out the fourth and fifth batters of Chunghoon High School in succession to prevent the crisis. He then finished the fourth and seventh innings without losing a point, laying the groundwork for his victory in the Cold Game. His final result was one hit, two walks and eight strikeouts in five innings. "I took the mound with the determination to protect the runner left by the previous pitcher. I am so lucky to be able to do my part," Yoo said after the game.
Yoo Hee-dong is a tall right-handed pitcher with a height of 1m96cm. His fastball speed is around 140km/h, but his big breaking ball from a high RBI is excellent. Split finger fastball (splitter), which flies like a fastball and falls in front of home plate, is also the main weapon. His pitching balance is also evaluated as stable. "I was originally tall, but when I was in the second year of middle school, I grew 14cm all at once, so I easily exceeded 1m90cm," he said. "Thanks to that, I think my strength is that I can throw a breaking ball with a large angle and a fork ball with a large drop."
Yoo Hee-dong is the second son of actor Yoo Tae-woong, 52, who is well-known for his role as Yoo Ji-kwang in the drama "The Age of the Wild." The eldest of the three brothers, Jae-dong and the second, Hee-dong, grew up as baseball players. The older brother graduated from Deoksu High School this year and went on to major in physical education at Korea University, while Yoo Hee-dong is seeking a professional nomination in the 2025 KBO League Rookie Draft, which will take place on Sept. 11.
Yoo Hee-dong, who looks like his father and boasts a handsome appearance, said, "I started playing baseball because I looked fun while following my brother when I was in the third grade of elementary school. I've been pitching and fielding since I was in the first year of middle school, and I've been devoted to pitching since I was in the first year of high school," and confessed, "My father said a lot of bitter things until last year, but now that I'm in the third year of high school, he gives me a great sense of stability mentally."
His father Yoo Tae-woong visited Pohang on the day and watched his second son play well. He fully supported his two sons throughout their careers, saying, "I was nervous, but I'm proud that Hee-dong threw the ball well. I think it was a so-called 'scratching' day," he said, wiping out his chest. "When I raised my first son, I was always happy (with the outcome of the game). Now I trust my second son and just watch him," he said. "I have two more national competitions to go, including the presidential election. I hope he can finish his high school years calmly and keep his mental health as he is now."
Yoo Hee-dong said, "I hope I can work as hard as I can for the rest of the year and get a little more nomination in the front round," adding, "I want to be a player who always desperately plays baseball in the professional league and goes higher."
BY: 안전놀이터
