Can the Hanwha Eagles Really Go All the Way?

For years, the question around the Hanwha Eagles has been when, not if, the team would finally turn the corner. This summer, that question has shifted into something bolder: could they actually win the Korean Series? In a league where powerhouses like LG, SSG, and KT have dominated headlines, Hanwha’s surge has caught even seasoned analysts by surprise.

It’s not just the win column that has fans buzzing — though a 14–4 record over the past three weeks will do that. It’s the way they’re winning. The lineup, once criticized for lacking punch, is now anchored by the explosive bat of Roh Si-hwan, who leads the league in RBIs, and the steady on-base presence of Kim Tae-yeon. Young pitcher Moon Dong-ju has emerged as a genuine ace, mixing a high-90s fastball with a biting slider that has left veteran hitters shaking their heads. The bullpen, long a sore spot, suddenly looks reliable, with Park Sang-won closing games with icy precision.

But championship dreams in Daejeon come with the shadow of history. The Eagles’ last and only Korean Series title came in 1999, and in the decades since, seasons have often ended in disappointment before the leaves turned. Fans remember the years of rebuilding, the empty seats, the seasons where optimism evaporated by midsummer. That’s why this run feels different — and fragile.

Inside the clubhouse, players downplay the talk. Manager Choi Won-ho insists the focus remains on “one game at a time,” wary of adding pressure to a team still finding its identity. But outside the stadium, in pojangmacha tents and online forums, the conversation is louder, more daring. Supporters are swapping playoff bracket predictions, debating possible Korean Series opponents, and dusting off old championship banners.

The schedule ahead won’t be easy. September brings a brutal stretch against top-ranked teams, and injuries could test the depth that has been crucial to Hanwha’s rise. Still, there’s a sense in Daejeon that the long, slow rebuild may have finally reached its tipping point.

Can the Hanwha Eagles really go all the way? If they keep playing like this — fearless at the plate, disciplined on the mound, and united in the field — the answer might finally be yes. And for a fan base that has waited over two decades, even daring to ask the question feels like a victory in itself.

Date: 2025-08-19

Reporter: 박근홍