The 2026 Korea Baseball Organization season is picking up steam.
As of six days ago, the league had already surpassed three million in total attendance through the first 166 games of the season.
The exciting play on the field and the stars certainly play a significant part in the rapid acceleration of KBO interest.
Former Dodgers, Blue Jays Ace Nearing Baseball Record
Hanwha Eagles and former Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin is nearing a record never accomplished in professional baseball.
The left-hander is one win away from 200 combined wins in Major League Baseball and the KBO. Ryu would become the first Korean player to reach that threshold. From 2013-23 in the Majors, the 2019 ERA leader collected 78 wins.
Ryu led the Eagles to an 11-5 victory against the Kiwoom Heroes on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out nine in five innings. It was the 121st victory in his KBO career.
KBO’s All-Time Home Run Leader Continues to Mash
SSG Landers slugger Choi Jeong is the KBO’s all-time home run leader with 528.
His round-tripper on Tuesday marked the 21st consecutive season in which he’s hit 10 or more homers. Yoo Jee-ho of Yonhap News Agency noted that Choi also owns the record for the most consecutive seasons with at least 20 homers, with 10 straight.
Choi entered the KBO as an 18-year-old rookie in 2005. The 39-year-old is certainly headed to the Hall of Fame, whenever he decides to hang up the spikes.
Eagles’ Catcher Makes Carless Mistake
The Eagles’ coaching staff was likely less than thrilled with this play.
On Wednesday, the Eagles fell 3-2 to the Heroes. They cost themselves an early run with a careless throwing from catcher Heo In-so in the first inning.
Little League Play of the Day (or in my case, 8U Softball) featuring Hanwha's Heo In-seo with the bad throw back to Hernandez that allows a run to score for the Heroes.
Kiwoom beat Hanwha 3-2 https://t.co/xxNIJ6YgAP
— Dan Kurtz (@MyKBO) May 13, 2026
As seen in the clip provided by Dan Kurtz of MyKBO, Heo’s lackadaisical throw to Wilkel Hernandez went past the starting pitcher and infielders and rolled into center field. Seo Geon-chang scored from third base on the miscue, and it provided the Heroes with the extra run they needed to secure the victory.
KBO Standings as of Wednesday, May 13
- KT Wiz (24-13-1)
- LG Twins (23-15-0)
- Samsung Lions (22-15-1)
- SSG Landers (20-17-1)
- Kia Tigers (18-20-1)
- Doosan Bears (18-20-1)
- Hanwha Eagles (17-21-0)
- NC Dinos (16-21-1)
- Lotte Giants (15-21-1)
- Kiwoom Heroes (14-24-1)
Photo: South Korea starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin reacts on the mound during the second inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against the Dominican Republic, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
