'Strongest Baseball' Struggles with Ratings Despite Thrilling Game Moments

The sports reality show 'Strongest Baseball,' featuring former baseball players Yoon Seok-min and Kim Tae-kyun, continues to struggle with ratings, recording a 0.6% viewership, marking the 13th consecutive week of sub-1% ratings.

The 134th episode of JTBC's 'Strongest Baseball,' aired on the 19th, showcased the first match of the 'Strongest Series' between the Breakers and the Independent League representative team. The Breakers, buoyed by enthusiastic fan support, secured a victory, inching closer to becoming the strongest team. Despite the thrilling game, the episode only managed a 0.6% rating, continuing the show's streak of low viewership.

The standout performer of the day was starting pitcher Oh Joo-won. He pitched into the sixth inning, retiring the side in order, and recorded the Breakers' first quality start with six scoreless innings. Coach Lee Jong-beom expressed satisfaction, saying, "Joo-won pitched exceptionally well." Oh Joo-won shared, "I felt great coming off the mound after six innings. I had many good pitches today, and I'm proud to have contributed significantly to the win in a tough game."

In batting, team captain Kim Tae-kyun shone brightly. In the bottom of the fifth inning, he delivered a timely hit against his nemesis pitcher Choi Jong-wan, delighting the fans at Gocheok Dome.

The excitement continued in the bottom of the sixth inning with Coach Lee Jong-beom's successful strategy. After Na Ji-wan's double, Lee brought in Lee Joong-kwon as a pinch hitter, who advanced to third base on Lee Dae-hyung's bunt. Lee then signaled a play for Heo Do-hwan, who executed it perfectly, allowing Lee Joong-kwon to score, extending the lead to 4-0.

In the top of the seventh inning, much-anticipated pitcher Yoon Seok-min took the mound. "The fans' cheers are the biggest reason I play baseball and my pride," he said, appearing in front of live fans for the first time in 1,610 days since his retirement ceremony.

Yoon Seok-min, unfortunately, allowed his first run in seven games with the Breakers, but he managed to finish the inning without further damage using a mix of sliders, fastballs, and palm balls. Despite shoulder pain, he returned for the eighth inning, stating, "Even if today is my last, I want to pitch without regrets." However, he had to leave the mound due to sudden shoulder pain, with fans chanting his name in support.

Lee Hyun-seung, who took over the mound, allowed one more run, making it 4-2. In the top of the ninth inning, closer Oh Hyun-taek, pitching in front of his son, delivered a flawless performance to secure the save. "I'm even happier because I pitched well in front of my son," Oh Hyun-taek expressed.

The Breakers players expressed gratitude to the fans, saying, "Baseball is more fun with an audience." Oh Joo-won noted, "Thanks to the fans' support and the stadium atmosphere, I was able to pitch well today." Coach Lee Jong-beom added, "Fans provide motivation and focus," thanking those who attended the game.

Yoon Seok-min shared, "It was the cheer I wanted to hear the most. It was just happiness to hear fans call my name again after so long." Kim Tae-kyun dedicated the glory of the first match victory to the fans, saying, "I felt alive in front of the fans for the first time in a long while."

Reporter Seyoon Jung, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr