Seoul: When South Korea opens its first training camp for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in January in Saipan, SSG Landers reliever Noh Kyung-eun will be the team's oldest player at 41. The durable right-hander is determined to prove that he wasn't called up to camp merely to be the proverbial adult in the room and that he can earn a spot on the final team based on merit.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Noh expressed his confidence in making the team despite his age. "I may get cut during the first camp," Noh said with a mischievous grin while discussing the upcoming trip Tuesday evening before the Golden Glove award ceremony in Seoul. Noh was the recipient of this year's Fair Play Award, given to the player who best exhibits sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct on and off the field. "But seriously, I am confident I can make the team. I've been working hard to get into shape," Noh continued. "Ultimately, it will be up to the coaching staff to make that decision. I am just going to go out there and do my thing."
If Noh pitches the way he has the last couple of years in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), then manager Ryu Ji-hyun will have no other choice but to take Noh to the WBC. Since 2023, no KBO pitcher has made more appearances than Noh's 230, and he also leads all relievers with 246 2/3 innings and 103 holds. Among all relievers with at least 150 games during that three-year stretch, Noh has the lowest ERA at 2.88, with no one else sitting below 3.00.
Noh has led the KBO in holds in each of the past two seasons, with 38 in 2024 and 35 in 2025. Although he can no longer overpower hitters as he once did, he has effectively minimized damage, allowing only two home runs in 80 innings in 2025. In recent years, the national baseball team has opted for younger players, leaving older ones at home. However, after his young pitchers struggled against Japan in two exhibition games in Tokyo in November, Ryu acknowledged the need for some veteran presence on his pitching staff. Given his ability and experience, Noh could be a perfect fit.
"Honestly, this may be my last chance to play for the national team," Noh said. "I will do whatever I can to help the team and try to be there for younger guys." Noh's only previous national team stint came at the 2013 WBC, a tournament that Noh admits was "a disaster" for South Korea. In that 2013 tournament, South Korea failed to advance beyond the preliminary round. Losing to the Netherlands 5-0 in the tournament opener essentially sealed South Korea's fate. Noh gave up three hits and a walk in relief while allowing two inherited runners to score. He performed better in the following games against Australia and Chinese Taipei, but South Korea couldn't recover from its early setbacks.
"That was a disaster and we've got to make sure it doesn't happen again," Noh said. South Korea also faced early elimination in the preliminary stages in 2017 and 2023. Noh said he learned an important lesson for himself from 2013. "Back then, I ramped up more quickly than anyone on the team, and I was the first one that started throwing in the 150s (in kilometers per hour)," he said. "But I think I threw too much, too hard going into that tournament. I should pace myself better this time around."
The KBO submitted its provisional roster of 35 players to the WBC organizing committee on Dec. 3 but was not allowed to reveal the names due to tournament regulations. The deadline to finalize the 30-man roster is Feb. 3. The 2026 WBC runs from March 5 to 17. Noh will turn 42 on March 11.