[Diary Point = Reporter Choi Seung-jin] Japanese pitcher Yura Miyaji, who previously played for the Samsung Lions, attended Game 3 of the Korean Series at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on Nov. 6 and said he hopes to return to Korean baseball. He flew in from Japan to cheer on his former team, Samsung.
After the game, Miyaji said, “I do want to play baseball in Korea again,” adding, “After watching today’s game, that feeling has grown stronger.” He said it was his first time cheering for Samsung from the stands. “When I was on the mound, I was so focused on the game that I couldn’t really hear the cheers. Watching from the stands, I realized, ‘So this is what the cheering is like,’” he said.
He also said he plans to attend Game 4 of the Korean Series on Nov. 7. His message to the Samsung players: “If you keep this energy going, you can definitely win it all. I’ll be cheering for you.”
Once touted for a 158 km/h fastball, he left Samsung in August
Miyaji joined Samsung in December 2025 as a bullpen pitcher under the KBO’s Asian quota system, which allows clubs to sign players from other Asian countries. His fastball, which topped out at 158 km/h, raised expectations. But after making 36 appearances for Samsung in the 2026 season, with a 5.87 ERA, one loss and three holds, he left the team in August.
After returning to Japan during the season, he continued his playing career with his former club, Hayate Ventures Shizuoka. On Nov. 2, he posted on social media that he intended to keep playing baseball. He was also listed among the players leaving the team following the expiration of their contracts.
Signed autographs and posed for photos with fans
Fans who recognized Miyaji at Lions Park asked him for autographs and photos, and he gladly obliged. “It’s touching that a player who left Samsung came all this way to cheer the team on to a championship,” one Samsung fan said. “I’m rooting for Miyaji in whatever comes next.”
Miyaji’s visit showed that his connection with Samsung fans has continued even after his time with the team ended. Game 4 of the Korean Series between Samsung and kt is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Lions Park.