Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin was named this year's winner of the Warren Spahn Award, which goes to the best left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball of the U.S. the photo shows Ryu on Sept. 7 playing in a home game against the New York Yankees in Buffalo, New York. (Yonhap News)
By Oh Hyun Woo and Lee Jihae
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin is the first Korean and Asian winner of the Warren Spahn Award, which honors the best lefthanded pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) of the U.S.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin is the first Korean and Asian winner of the Warren Spahn Award, which honors the best lefthanded pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) of the U.S.
The Warren Spahn Award Committee on Dec. 21 announced Ryu as this year's winner. Co-chairman Chuck Shirley said "Despite the difficulties of the COVID(-19) pandemic, Hyun-jin Ryu had a stellar year on the mound that was certainly worthy of this honor."
Founded in 1999 and named after Warren Spahn, one of the greatest lefty pitchers in U.S. pro baseball history, the award is based on a candidate's wins, earned-run average (ERA) and strikeouts. Randy Johnson and Clayton Kershaw won this honor the most with four each.
Ryu was nominated for the award last season while a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but lost to Patrick Corbin of the Washington Nationals.
Ryu this season went 5-2 in 12 starts with a 2.69 ERA and 72 strikeouts, ranking second in strikeouts and ERA and tying for third in wins among lefthanded pitchers. He helped the Blue Jays make the postseason.
The committee said it will not hold the award ceremony his year due to COVID-19.
hyunw54@korea.kr
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