Candidate for next SSG captain recommended by departing Choo Shin-soo "Jihoon Choi or Park Sung-han"

Nov 08, 2024

Choo Shin-soo Choi Jung, Kim Kwang-hyun at the retirement press conference.

"I think it's Ji Hoon or Park Sung Han."

Choo Shin-soo, who led the team in his last season as captain, will leave the ground. Choo Shin-soo held a retirement press conference at Kyungwonjae Ambassador in Songdo, Incheon on the 7th, expressing his feelings about taking off his uniform and his thoughts on the past. After graduating from Busan High School, Choo Shin-soo signed with the Seattle Mariners through an international amateur free contract in 2001 and moved to the U.S. After that, he entered the Major League after fierce minor league survival competition. When he moved to the Texas Rangers after passing through the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds, he signed the largest contract for an Asian player with seven years and $130 million.

In the winter of 2020, when his contract with Texas ended, Choo Shin-soo decided to return to Korea after agonizing over extending his Major League career. SSG, which had the right to designate, actively persuaded Choo Shin-soo, and the trip to Incheon was made in a surprise move. During his four years at SSG, Choo Shin-soo recorded a batting average of 263 with 396 hits, 54 homers, 205 RBIs in 439 games. In the 2022 season, he collaborated on SSG's first 'Wire to Wire' to win the championship, which had never been achieved.

Choo Shin-soo, who announced his retirement early ahead of this season, spent his last season as captain of the team. Accepting the captain's position at the request of head coach Lee Sung-yong, it was difficult for him to play normally due to a shoulder injury in the second half, but he played a role as a mentor and paragon for juniors.

Choo Shin posing.

Choo Shin-soo said, `I'm from Busan and I was the first player to be nominated by the Lotte Giants. I always dreamed of becoming a baseball player by watching Lotte games. It's a shame that I couldn't play at Lotte, but I couldn't go to Lotte. Incheon was the place where I took my first step in the Korean professional baseball league, so I showed my affection by saying, "First team."

When asked which players are most suitable for SSG's next captaincy candidate in the future, Choo Shin-soo picked Jihoon Choi, the main center fielder, and Park Sung-han, the shortstop. They are the core players of the current team and hitters who must keep their balance in the future. Choo Shin-soo might be Jihoon Choi or Park Sung-han. I think players like Ji-hoon, Sung-han, and Park Ji-hwan, Cho Byung-hyun, and Jung Joon-jae, who stood out this year, are the faces of Landers. These players should be able to become leaders not only in baseball but also outside the field. Since we talked a lot about this, I think we'll continue to do wellSung-han is too quiet. The captain should take the lead and express himself, but I think Jihoon Choi is better in that regard," he said with a smile.

The game between SSG and Doosan at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 23rd, and SSG Jihoon Choi, with one out and second base, hits an RBI timely hit in the top of the fourth inning. Jamsil = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.09.23/

The match between SSG Landers and Kiwoom Heroes at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 30th. In the bottom of the fourth inning, SSG Park Sung-han is cheering after hitting a timely hit with two outs and runners on the first and second bases. Incheon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.09.30/

After working out together for four years, I don't feel as light as I leave behind my juniors who have become attached to me. Choo Shin-soo said, `SSG has a lot of good players. In order for SSG to continue to become a strong team, I think it is correct that it should not suddenly be possible, but it should be a generational change little by little. It is undeniable that we are an older team. I think the direction is to help the players down there slowly settle down"I think it's a message not only for SSG but also for the entire juniors, but I've seen a lot of good players in my four years playing in Korea. I was really surprised and have a lot of memories of watching the play while admiring it. Speaking to those players, I don't want them to think it's their place forever. I hope one day I don't forget that there is always a player who threatens my place. I hope the players down there try to take the place. He gave sincere advice, saying, "It's a part where individual players get better, and in a big way, Korean baseball gets better."

youll@sportschosun.com

Candidate for next SSG captain recommended by departing Choo Shin-soo "Jihoon Choi or Park Sung-han"

Sports