D-3 Osaka Kyocera Dome Roar: 5 Meanings of Lee Jung-hoo's 'Let's Play All 9 Games' Declaration for Korea's WBC 2026
On March 1, 2026, Manager Ryu Ji-hyeon's 30-man full squad completed its first training session at Osaka's Kyocera Dome. Captain Lee Jung-hoo declared 'Let's play all 9 games,' publicly committing to a run to the finals. The countdown to the Czech Republic game — D-3 — has begun, as Korea looks to break the trauma of three consecutive first-round eliminations.
On the afternoon of March 1, 2026, the roar of the baseball national team echoed through Osaka's Kyocera Dome. Captain Lee Jung-hoo's words — "Let's play all 9 games" — were more than a declaration of resolve. They were a statement of intent to break head-on through a history of humiliation: three consecutive first-round eliminations and a 10-game losing streak against Japan.
TL;DR
- March 1: All MLB overseas players — Lee Jung-hoo, Kim Hye-seong, Ko Woo-seok, and others — joined the squad, completing the 30-man full roster for the first training session
- Captain Lee Jung-hoo: "We're going to the final," "I really want to fly home on a charter jet," "Let's play all 9 games"
- March 2 (today) — practice game vs. Hanshin; March 3 — vs. Orix, as final preparations continue
- March 5, Tokyo Dome — Czech Republic game, D-3 — Korea challenges for its first WBC opening-game win in 17 years
- Korea ranked 7th in WBC world championship odds (FOX Sports) — the gap between potential and expectations must be closed
The Facts: Full Squad, Finally Together
The Korean baseball national team, led by Manager Ryu Ji-hyeon, held its first official training as a complete 30-man squad at Osaka's Kyocera Dome on March 1. The domestic players had spent the previous two weeks in Okinawa, sharpening their fundamentals in practice games against KBO teams. Now, all 6 MLB overseas players — Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants), Kim Hye-seong (LA Dodgers), Ko Woo-seok (Detroit Tigers), and others — have joined, completing the "full squad."
Manager Ryu Ji-hyeon said, "Having all the overseas players here raises my expectations," as he described the mood in camp. Captain Lee Jung-hoo set the tone with his characteristic boldness:
"I grew up dreaming after watching Korea's runner-up finish at the 2009 WBC. This time, I want to be the one writing that story. Let's play all 9 games." — Lee Jung-hoo, Captain
Meaning 1: The Weight of Three Consecutive Eliminations
Korea has a brilliant history at the WBC — a semifinal finish in 2006 and a runner-up finish in 2009. But three consecutive first-round eliminations in 2013, 2017, and 2023 have overshadowed that glory. In each case, losing the opening game was the common denominator. Winning against the Czech Republic is not optional — it is essential.
Meaning 2: Lee Jung-hoo as a 'Leadership Variable'
Lee Jung-hoo is more than just a hitter. In his second year with the SF Giants, he has proven himself on the American stage as a team player and leader. As captain, his words are a catalyst that amplifies the energy of the entire squad. His remark about "flying home on a charter jet" was a lighthearted nod to the convenience of a charter flight if the team reaches the final — but the ambition behind it is unmistakable.
Meaning 3: The 6 MLB Overseas Players — Strengths and Risks
Players like Lee Jung-hoo (batting), Kim Hye-seong (2B), and Ko Woo-seok (closer) are the core of the team's firepower. However, with a long MLB season ahead, inning restrictions may apply under each team's injury-risk management guidelines. How precisely Manager Ryu Ji-hyeon manages his roster will be critical.
Meaning 4: The Real Value of D-3 Practice Games
The practice games against Hanshin on March 2 and Orix on March 3 are not mere warm-ups. They serve as the final live simulation — sharpening real-game instincts against Japanese professional teams and making final checks on the starting lineup and bullpen usage. In particular, this window will be used to confirm Ryu Hyun-jin's conditioning.
Meaning 5: 10 Straight Losses to Japan — The Path Through Czech Republic and Australia
Korea's last win against Japan was back in 2015 — a stunning 10-game losing streak. In Group C, Japan is virtually certain to finish first. Korea's strategy for advancing to the quarterfinals is to secure second place by beating the Czech Republic, Australia, and Taiwan. A first win against Czech Republic creates psychological momentum and sets the tone for the games that follow.
Checklist: Korea's WBC Success Conditions
Points to Watch
- How much real motivation does Lee Jung-hoo's leadership generate among the younger players?
- March 2 Hanshin game result: an early check on overseas players' game readiness
- FOX Sports world championship odds: 7th in the world — an opportunity to flip this underwhelming ranking
- Korea, Japan, Taiwan three-way battle: the Group C second-place race will decide WBC outcomes
- Ryu Hyun-jin at 38 — a veteran wildcard: the sharpness of his changeup is the key to first-round survival
Reference Links
- WBC national team's 30-man full squad training roars — Lee Jung-hoo: "Let's play all 9 games" (Donga Ilbo)
- First full squad training, Lee Jung-hoo: "No more disasters — there's nowhere further to fall" (KBS)
- Captain Lee Jung-hoo: "We're going to the final" — WBC national team's first full squad training (Nate News)
Image Credit
- Osaka Kyocera Dome: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0