On the 6th, the KBO said, “Major leaguer Choi Ji-hoon was unable to participate in the WBC due to opposition from his team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.” Choi Ji-hoon, who graduated from Dongguk University and joined SK Wyverns (now SSG) in 2020, this is the first time he has worn the Taegeuk mark 4 years after his debut.
Choi Ji-hoon said through the club, “I didn’t expect it at all, but it feels good to be selected so suddenly (as a national team member), but I still can’t feel it.” I will run with it,” he said.
Choi Ji-hoon is a right-handed left-handed outfielder who is good at attacking, defending, and running base to the extent that he has earned the nickname ‘Post Kim Kang-min’ since his first year of debut. He played all regular season games (144 games) last year, posting a batting average of 0.304, 10 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases. He played in all 6 games in the Korean Series as well, playing a leading role in SSG’s combined victory. As a result, his annual salary doubled from 150 million won last year to 300 million won this year.
At the Golden Glove Awards, he missed out on the award by finishing 4th in the outfield category, being pushed by prominent competitors such as Lee Jung-hoo (Kiwoom Heroes), Jose Pirella (Samsung Lions), and Na Seong-beom (KIA Tigers), but was selected to board the WBC national team featuring the world’s best players. A turning point has been reached.
Choi Ji-hoon said, “Ever since I was listed on the WBC 50-person interest list last year, senior Choi Jeong (SSG) kept telling me, ‘I hope we can go together and have a good experience. If we do that, baseball will improve a lot.’ I couldn’t do it, but I’m happy to be able to go with you, even though it’s late.” He also did not forget to express his gratitude to his parents and coaching staff, including SSG coach Kim Won-hyung.
Choi Ji-hoon is currently training in Vero Beach, Florida, where SSG has set up a spring camp. He said, “I’ve been building my body well in Korea during the off-season. I’m confident in my physical condition. But I’m worried about the sense of actual play.” 슬롯사이트
The WBC team will start their first joint training on the 15th in Tucson, Arizona, USA under the direction of national coach Lee Kang-cheol. Choi Ji-hoon will also join SSG’s national team members Kim Kwang-hyun and Choi Jeong to prepare for their first WBC appearance in earnest. He said, “I think wearing a uniform with the Taegeuk mark is a very heavy and responsible job. So it’s a burden,” he said. I will do it,” he promised.