SSG Landers Choo Shin-soo “I came to win”

After completing self-quarantine, Shin-soo Choo joined the SSG squad and wore a uniform for a meeting. [뉴스1]

‘Chu Choo Train’ Choo Shin-soo (39, SSG Landers) joined the team after self-isolation. He was determined to realize his dream of winning that he could not achieve in the major leagues.

Choo Shin-soo signed a contract with SSG on the 23rd of last month with the highest annual salary (2.7 billion won) in professional baseball. Two days later, he entered Korea through Incheon Airport and self-quarantined for two weeks in Changwon, Gyeongnam. During this time, he used treadmills and training equipment to raise his body. After receiving a negative test from the Corona 19 test on the 10th, he headed to the Busan Sajik Stadium as soon as his self-isolation was lifted at noon on that day. SSG played a practice match with the Lotte Giants on this day.

Choo Shin-soo met the squad after the game was over. Choo Shin-soo, wearing a uniform with his back number 17 and his name on it, lost luck saying, “I came to win.” He said, “I think I must learn first. As it is still insufficient, I will first ask for help in many areas. I thought about it for a long time until I came from the United States, but the only reason I was able to make a decision was because I wanted to win. “I came to win in unity with all the players on this team.” After saying hello, I greeted each of my seniors and juniors and the coaching staff.

Choo Shin-soo visited pitcher Lee Tae-yang (31) after a meeting. He said, “To me, number 17 is a meaningful number. I was a junior, but I was very grateful. In fact, the first thing I checked after I decided to come to SSG was who writes number 17. I couldn’t tell you first, but I thanked Lee Taeyang for giving me the number first.” Choo Shin-soo then presented a wristwatch to Lee Tae-yang. It is a luxury brand product that you wear. Shinsoo Choo said, “I have been preparing in the United States. There is nothing for granted in the world. It is correct to always express gratitude when you receive it. I chose red because I liked it.” The price of the watch is known as tens of thousands of won. Lee Taeyang said, “Thank you and I like it. It’s also a burden,” he said embarrassed.

Choo Shin-soo presents a watch to Lee Tae-yang (left), who gave way to uniform number 17. [뉴스1]

When asked about his impressions of joining, Choo Shin-soo said, “I was very excited and nervous. In isolation, I watched the athletes exercise and practice. I wanted to meet you as soon as possible,” he said. He said, “The first two to three days were boring and boring, but later I thought I would enjoy it.” He also added, “I am in good shape, but I think I will feel it after practicing.” The first training is scheduled for the KT Wiz practice match held in Ulsan on the 13th. He said, “It is true that I am excited because I was a baseball player when I was young. (Although I couldn’t come to Lotte), Busan fans will understand.”

Choo Shin-soo used the word’to win’ five times. For him, winning is because it has a special meaning. He played in the big leagues since 2005, but did not reach the top of the World Series. “Everyone who works out wants to be the best. The reason why I decided to come to Korea easily was because I saw the possibility of SSG winning.”

After graduating from Busan High School in 2001, Shin-soo Choo went to the US to study pitchers from other teams while watching a video of a KBO league game sent by the club. “There is no pitcher that is particularly difficult or wants to face off. I watched the pitchers through the video, but rather than watching a specific player, I looked at the propensity. “I don’t know yet, except that the restraint is 2~3km/h lower than the US.”

SSG coach Kim Won-hyung revealed his plans for Kiyong Choo Shin-soo before the match. Director Kim said, “I would like to place Choo Shin-soo in No. 2 or No. 3. Choo Shin-soo had a high on-base rate in the United States. (If you enter No. 2), you will have a lot of chances in Nos. 4-6.” The position is dominant in the left field. Choo Shin-soo said, “I know I have to train a day or two, but I think I will go out from the Daegu Samsung War on the 16th and 17th.”

This summer, the Tokyo Olympics, which have been postponed for one year, will be held. Shin-soo Choo said, “I did not come to the national team after the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games military service exception. There was a personal situation. During the quarantine period, I spoke with directors Kim In-sik and Kim Gyeong-moon. Director Kim Gyeong-moon thanked you for calling us first. I told the director,’If you can compete, please pick it up.’ “It’s not because it’s Shin-soo Cho, but if it helps the national team, I’m willing to go out.”

Busan = Reporter Kim Hyo-kyung [email protected]