Newest Toronto Blue Jay Hyun-Jin Ryu to wear No. 99: 'thought we would return it back to Canada'

Jace Mallory

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Newest Toronto Blue Jay Hyun-Jin Ryu to wear No. 99: 'thought we would return it back to Canada' image

Canada has a new No. 99. But this No. 99 doesn't lace-up skates — he laces up cleats.

The Toronto Blue Jays signed free-agent, left-handed pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu to a four-year, $80 million contract, breaking a franchise record for the largest deal given to a free-agent pitcher, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith. 

But there was one, weighty question to be answered: will he keep his number?

That question was answered in his introductory press conference on Friday: Yes, Ryu will wear the No. 99 . . . in Canada.

"Canada lent No. 99 [aka Wayne Gretzky] to LA, so with Hyun-Jin, we thought we would return it back to Canada," Ryu's agent Scott Boras said.

MORE: Looking back at Justin Smoak's career with the Blue Jays

In his first words to the Blue Jays community, Ryu showed off his developing English with a sprinkle of French.

"Hello, Canada. Bonjour," Ryu began with a smile and a chuckle from the room. "I am happy to be here and I'm going to make the Toronto Blue Jays proud, thank you."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Speaking through a translator for the remainder of the presser, the Korean pitcher was asked about playing in Toronto and representing not only Korea but now Canada too.

"Personally, he has no differences in terms of how he feels (playing in Canada versus the U.S.)," the translator explained on Ryu's behalf. "As a baseball player, he knows that he has to perform and now that he's in Toronto, he's going to treat it like what he's treated it all of his career, in terms of professionalism.

Ryu led the majors with a 2.32 ERA last season, compiling a 14-5 record and finishing second in NL Cy Young voting behind Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets. Last season, he was also voted as an All-Star for the first time in his career.

The Blue Jays got their top-end pitcher, but general manager Ross Atkins stressed the importance of continuing to improve even with the addition of Ryu.

"He's obviously an incredible compliment to (our pitching rotation). He's been the best of the best and obviously it would be very hard to do better than him at this point in the offseason as topping a rotation," he noted. "Does that mean we'll continue to look to add? It would be, as I said, hard to make it better . . . but it doesn't mean we won't stop trying."

Jace Mallory