The tension was palpable at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on May 8, 2026, as the Doosan Bears hosted the SSG Landers in a highly anticipated matchup of the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League. With baseball fans filling the stands and the city of Seoul buzzing with excitement, both teams were looking to make a statement. The Bears entrusted the starting pitcher’s mound to Wes Benjamin, while the Landers countered with Anthony Veniziano, setting the stage for a classic KBO duel.
From the outset, the game promised drama and intrigue. The Doosan Bears, playing in front of their home crowd, were eager to bounce back from recent struggles, while the SSG Landers, always a formidable opponent, looked to spoil the party. But as the innings unfolded, it became clear that attention would focus not just on the scoreboard, but on the struggles of one of Doosan’s most celebrated veterans—Yang Eui-ji.
Yang, slotted as the fourth designated hitter, stepped up to the plate with expectations riding high. However, the night proved challenging for the veteran slugger. In his first three at-bats, Yang struck out each time, unable to connect with Veniziano’s sharp pitching and the Landers’ relentless approach. His final at-bat in the eighth inning saw him ground out to shortstop, marking the first time he put the ball in play all evening. Still, the result was the same: another out, and another quiet night at the plate.
By the end of the game, Yang’s line read a stark 0-for-4 with three strikeouts—a performance that underscored his ongoing struggles. The Bears, too, found themselves stymied, managing only a single run against SSG’s pitching staff, while the Landers tallied four, sealing a 4-1 victory on enemy turf. The loss was a tough pill to swallow for Doosan, but for Yang Eui-ji, it was another chapter in what’s become a frustrating season.
Digging into the numbers, the story becomes even more striking. As of this game, Yang is batting just .205 on the season, with an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.617, two home runs, and sixteen RBIs. These figures mark his lowest output since he became a regular starter in 2010—a remarkable downturn for a player once considered among the league’s most reliable hitters. For context, Yang had recently shown flashes of his old brilliance, registering two multi-hit games in a three-game series against the Kiwoom Heroes. But that spark quickly faded. In the subsequent three-game set versus the LG Twins, Yang went hitless in twelve at-bats, striking out twice and grounding into a double play, without drawing a single walk. With the four hitless at-bats against SSG, his weekly tally ballooned to a staggering 0-for-16.
It’s a slump that’s hard to ignore, and fans have begun to wonder when—or if—Yang will rediscover his form. The pressure is mounting, not just from the stands, but from within the clubhouse. Before the game, Doosan Bears manager Kim Won-hyung addressed the team’s situation in a candid pre-game interview. “Except for a few players, most of the team lacks experience. The veterans need to hold the center well. Park Chan-ho and Jung Soo-bin seem fine. Yang Eui-ji had no problems earlier, but in the recent LG Twins series, he struggled,” Kim remarked, making it clear that leadership and performance from his most seasoned players are crucial.
Kim’s approach to managing veterans is well known across the KBO. During his tenure as SSG Landers’ skipper, he built a reputation for unwavering trust in his experienced stars, often sticking with them through thick and thin. This season, while other underperforming veterans like Yang Seok-hwan and Son Ah-seop were sent down to the minors, Kim has continued to pencil Yang Eui-ji’s name into the lineup, a testament to his faith in the catcher’s ability to turn things around. “The veterans have to lead by example,” Kim reiterated, hoping that Yang’s experience and past successes would eventually break the cycle of poor performances.
Yet, the patience of both manager and fanbase is being tested. Each game without a hit adds to the scrutiny. For Yang, the challenge is as much mental as physical. Baseball, after all, is a sport where slumps can spiral, and confidence can waver with every strikeout. Still, Kim’s faith in his veteran remains unshaken—for now. “Yang had no problems earlier but struggled in the recent LG Twins series,” Kim admitted, hinting that improvement is needed, but stopping short of signaling any drastic changes.
The rest of the Bears’ roster has also felt the weight of inexperience this season. Kim acknowledged this, saying, “Most of the team lacks experience except for a few players, and veterans need to lead.” Park Chan-ho and Jung Soo-bin have managed to avoid the worst of the slump, providing some stability, but for the Bears to climb the standings, their core veterans must deliver.
As the game reached its tense final moments, all eyes were on manager Kim Won-hyung, who watched the action unfold from the dugout with a look of deep concentration. In the bottom of the ninth, with Doosan trailing, Kim’s focus was unwavering—a reflection of both the pressure and the hope that his team, and especially his veterans, would find a way forward. The image of Kim intently watching the field captured the mood of the night: anxious, determined, and searching for answers.
The defeat to SSG Landers leaves the Doosan Bears with more questions than answers. Can Yang Eui-ji break out of his slump and lead the team as expected? Will Kim’s enduring trust in his veteran star be rewarded, or will the lineup see changes if the struggles persist? For now, the Bears and their fans wait, hoping that the next game brings a change in fortune.
As the KBO season rolls on, the story of Yang Eui-ji and the Doosan Bears remains one of the league’s most compelling narratives. With Kim Won-hyung’s patience on display and the spotlight firmly on his embattled catcher, the coming weeks will reveal whether experience and trust can overcome adversity. One thing’s for sure: the drama at Jamsil Baseball Stadium is far from over.