This was Ryu's first full season since 2014. His entire 2015 season was wiped out due to shoulder surgery. He made one start in 2016 before getting shut down with elbow issues.

  In an up-and-down year, Ryu enjoyed a much better second half than the first half. He was 3-6 with a 4.21 ERA at the break, but went 2-3 with a 3.17 ERA in the latter half. At one point, Ryu boasted the best second-half ERA on the Dodgers.

But he cost himself a chance to make the postseason rotation with some shaky outings in September. He was 0-2 with a 4.20 ERA over his final four starts, during which he gave up three home runs in 15 innings.

Ryu also wasn't an option in the bullpen because, following his shoulder operation, Ryu now needs a lengthy pregame routine to get ready to pitch.

Ryu pitched in a simulated game in late October but never got a chance to pitch in the World Series.

Right-hander Kim Byung-hyun remains the only South Korean player to have won a World Series. He was the closer for the Arizona Diamondbacks when they beat the New York Yankees to capture the 2001 World Series. Kim also got a championship ring from the Boston Red Sox in 2004 even though he wasn't on the World Series roster that year. (Yonhap)