Who recently suffered calf pain, said while looking at the ground. Having built his “best career” as a Korean fielder in the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB), he is currently playing as the “oldest player” in the Korean Professional Baseball (KBO League). In an interview with this newspaper, Choo Shin-soo revealed his inner feelings that he had accumulated so far.
Choo Shin-soo, who has been in his 23rd year as a professional, suffered from injuries and sluggishness this year. A month after the opening, the batting average has risen and fallen above the 10% to 20% range. In the end, he claimed to be in the second division at the end of May. This is the result of his own judgment that “it is no longer helpful to the team” due to overlapping ankle injuries. Choo’s batting average for the season was 0.202.
Photo=SSG provided
It is not only smooth after returning from injury. On the 16th and 17th, he rested for two days due to calf pain. Choo Shin-soo said, “I left for nearly two months due to a calf injury in 2016 when I was a member of the Texas Rangers, and I felt pain in the same area.”
Choo Shin-soo said, “I feel like I’m getting older for the first time this year. “I clearly feel that my physical condition has changed regardless of my grades,” he said. “In the past, even if I was in bad condition, I could run without thinking after taking painkillers.” It’s hard to play this season (even if I take a break, and take painkillers). I’ve rarely played in 100% physical condition. “That leads to grades,” he said. Choo Shin-soo, who has the temperament of a fighter, scored 152 walks in his big league career, but played head-to-head without avoiding a ball toward his body. At the same time, he showed strong durability to play an average of 130 games a year from 2010 to 19.
Photo=SSG provided
Choo’s mid-season report card this season is .271, 7 home runs and 26 RBIs in 77 games. The on-base percentage is 0.398 and the slugging percentage is 0.405. It’s not a bad record, but it’s somewhat short of “Choo Shin-soo’s reputation.” He said, “This year’s slump is also affected by my personality. He would have lost his body’s agility or reflexes, but he didn’t admit it and was greedy, believing that he could still do well. “I was stressed out and tried not to admit the slump, saying, ‘Why isn’t it working?'” he looked back.
Choo Shin-Soo
Choo Shin-soo still holds the record for the most home runs and RBIs by MLB Asian players. In 2009, he was the first Asian player to hit .300-20 home runs and steal 20 steals, and in 2015, he also achieved the first Asian batter to hit a cycling hit. He entered the KBO League in 2021 after recording a batting average of 0.275, 218 home runs, 782 RBIs, 961 runs, 157 steals, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.824 in 1652 games in the big league. And after three seasons, he hit the “limit of age.”
In the end, Choo Shin-soo in his 40s was recognized and decided to let go of the burden of being a former major leaguer.
Choo Shin-soo said, “I was active in MLB. Of course, I’m not convinced of my current performance,” he said adding, “I’m also disappointed that I haven’t reached (the fans’) expectations.” That’s why I thought it was more urgent,” he said. “Don’t you think Choo Shin-soo is a good pioneer?” So I didn’t want to swing on the ball, and I wasn’t convinced to swing. To do better, I tried to send (the ball) further away, so I put (unnecessary) strength in my body. “(Baseball) didn’t get released gradually as the ball that had to be played became a foul,” he added.
Photo=SSG provided
Choo Shin-soo, who is heading to the end of his career, said, “I’m trying to acknowledge and accept my current appearance. Of course, it is not easy. “Now is the time to put myself down,” he admitted.
Then we returned to the “Chuchu Train” we knew. After returning from injury in mid-June, he has a batting average of 0.331 on-base percentage and 0.441 slugging percentage in 40 games. It ranks seventh, second, and eighth in the league during this period. The recent increase in the proportion of pitches sent to the left is a sign that the batting sense has improved. In addition, in recent years, he has been successful in attempting a surprise bunt hit by reversing the shift of the opponent’s defense. This is a scene where the spirit of “team first” stands out more than the “self-esteem” of a former big leaguer. 스포츠토토사이트