(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Ryu Hyo-rim = Major Leaguer Choi Ji-man (Tampa Bay Race) answers questions from reporters at a press conference held at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul on the afternoon of the 5th. 2021.2.5 [email protected]
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Han Nam-jik = Most of the players who graduated from high school at the same time as Choi Ji-man (30, Tampa Bay Race) and advanced to the US professional baseball returned to Korea.
Choi Ji-man confessed, “I also thought,’Should I go to Korea now?’ when I saw the players who came together with Kim Sun-ki, Na Gyeong-min, Moon Chan-jong, and Shin Jin-ho returned.”
However, only Choi survived in the United States and is now a built-in major leaguer.
He also acts as a mentor for’Korean minor leaguers’.
At a press conference held at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 5th, Choi Ji-hwan frequently contacts his juniors, such as “Bae Ji-hwan (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Park Hyo-jun (New York Yankees). I have something to say,” he said. “Sometimes I get comforted while talking with my juniors.”
Ji-Hwan Choi also said, “Bae Ji-hwan plays as an invited player to the Pittsburgh Major League Spring Camp this year. He told Bae Ji-hwan,’It’s a good opportunity. Enjoy.'”
In fact, Choi Ji-man played the role of “older brother” by inviting Bae Bae Hwan and Hyo-Jun Park to the accommodation during the 2019 Spring Camp in Florida, USA to provide dinner.
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Ryu Hyo-rim = Major Leaguer Choi Ji-man (Tampa Bay Race) is drinking water at a press conference held at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul on the afternoon of the 5th. 2021.2.5 [email protected]
I’m cautious, but I can also share my experiences with Kim Ha-sung (San Diego Padres), who plays for the first time in the United States this year.
Until now, all Korean players who entered the big leagues after going through the KBO league were Choi’s only brothers.
Choi Man-man had more’American experience’, but Seung-Hwan Oh (currently Samsung Lions), Hyun-jin Ryu (Toronto Blue Jays), and Kwang-Hyun Kim (Saint Louis Cardinals) had a longer baseball career. Only Choi didn’t have to share the experience.
However, Ha-seong Kim is younger than Ji-Jon Choi.
Choi Ji-man said, “Kim Ha-sung made a good contract. Congratulations,” he said. “I won the American League and Kim Ha-sung in the National League, so it will be difficult to meet during the season. However, I will have a chance to talk with Kim Ha-sung after the season.”
“Kim Ha-sung, who succeeds in the KBO league and moves to the US, can get a lot of help from the club and his colleagues,” he advised. .
Man Choi, who graduated from Dongsan High School in 2010 and flew straight to the United States, endured a long minor league life and made his big league debut at the Los Angeles Angels in 2016.
Currently, Choi Ji-man plays as Tampa Bay’s first baseman.
A player who has completed three years of service time in the big leagues was also eligible to apply for an annual salary adjustment and held a’hearing’. His 2021 annual salary is $1.85 million or $2.45 million.
Ji-man Choi said, “I get a three-digit annual salary for the first time (meaning more than $1 million). I’m proud.” I never thought that I could qualify for an annual salary adjustment application. I was so impressed that I was here.”
Even after achieving’achievements’, only Choi endured a hard time saying, “If I become a third grader in high school again, I will experience Korean professional baseball first.”
“Since I was playing in the United States, there was no senior to ask for advice,” said Han Choi, who now wants to become a’senior to give sincere advice’ to Korean juniors playing in the United States.
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2021/02/05 15:47 sent