“Something you couldn’t think of when entering the US in 2010”
“If I become a third grader in high school again, I will start playing in the KBO league.”
Choi Ji-man (30, Tampa Bay Race) was the’hottest person’ that the entire major league of the American pro baseball in 2020 paid attention to.
At the beginning of the season, he transformed into a switch hitter and attracted attention, and was noticed as a’natural enemy’ of the world’s highest-paid pitcher, Garrick Cole.
Joyful Choi Ji-man continued to advance on the stage of the World Series, spreading his legs out at first base and spreading a tearing lake rain, drawing the cheers of major league fans.
Now, Choi Ji-man wants to attract support from American and Korean fans with’Gyeonggi Business Trip’ and’Grade’.
Choi Ji-man looked back at the 2020 season at the press conference held at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 5th, and made a determination for the 2021 season.
“Switch heaters, leg tear defense, etc. will not be shown in 2021,” said Choi Ji-man, and “I will return by participating in all games and showing good results.”
Choi Man-man, who graduated from Dongsan High School in 2010 and went directly to the United States, stood tall as a’national big leaguer’ in 2020.
Choi Ji-man is the first Korean batter to participate in the Championship Series and has also stepped on the World Series stage for the first time.
He made a home run in the American League Championship series and hits and scores in the World Series, and made the’first Korean record’.
In the regular season played with a shortened season of 60 games per team, only Choi hit 42 games with a batting average of 0.230 (28 hits in 122 at-bats), 3 home runs, and 16 RBIs.
It was a very unsatisfactory grade.
In addition, he broke away from full force due to a thigh injury in the Boston Red Sox on September 13th, leaving 14 games in the regular season.
Only Choi joined the postseason dramatically, and scored 10 hits in 40 at-bats (0.250 batting average), 2 home runs, and 4 RBIs in 18 games including the World Series.
He took 10 walks and hit an on-base ratio of 0.412.
In particular, in the Division Series against the New York Yankees, he also hit a home run against Garrett Cole, who is the highest paid pitcher.
The uniforms Choi Man-man wore in the World Series are displayed in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, USA.
After a record season and preparing for a new leap forward, Choi Man-eun talked about the past, present, and future with his unique joy.
The following is a question and answer with Choi Ji-man.
– How was your life in Korea for 3 months?
▲ (I returned home on November 9 of last year) After self-isolation for two weeks, I trained hard.
Take care of the body and heal.
I trained with my juniors in Incheon.
– I also trained with KBO League players
▲ We trained with Minjae Shin (LG Twins), Dohyun Kim (kt wiz), and kt trainer Lee Sang-won.
I asked the trainers and juniors.
It was fun to train with Korean players.
In the early days of training, indoor training was difficult due to Corona 19.
Even when it was cold, I trained outdoors.
– How was the salary adjustment hearing.
▲ Until 4:30 this morning, the video hearing was held.
It was my first experience, so it was fun. My agent defended well, and the team explained the club’s position well.
It was nice to be able to exercise player rights.
Of course, the club must also exercise its rights.
– Eligibility to apply for annual salary adjustment may be a medal.
▲ When I first entered the U.S. in 2010, I didn’t even think I could come this far.
I haven’t done anything alone.
There were so many people who helped me.
As the salary increases, I will run more responsibly.
When I was in Dongsan High School, the director said,’Because weight training is boring, think that if you endure this time, your down payment will increase.’
(laugh)
-This is the first time to surpass 1 million dollars a year.
▲ There is not a lot of money in my hand.
(Laughter) Taxes are high, and agent fees have to be paid.
(Laughter) You have to work harder to earn.
You get your first three-digit annual salary (meaning more than $1 million).
Is proud.
I never thought that I could qualify to apply for an annual salary adjustment before.
I’ve come this far.
– Did you have a chance to meet Korean major leaguers in Korea?
▲ (Ryu) Hyunjin had a child, so it was more difficult to meet.
(Chu) Shinsoo is staying in the United States.
I haven’t gotten close with Kim Kwang-hyun yet.
Would we be able to see you if the time is right during the season in the US?
– They say they take good care of Korean minor league juniors.
▲ During the off season, I often contact my juniors such as Bae Bae Hwan and Park Hyo-jun.
After playing in the United States for more than 10 years, I have something to advise my juniors. There are times when I get comforted while talking with my juniors.
Bae Bae Ji-hwan plays as an invited player to the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Spring Camp this year.
To Bae Ji-hwan,’This is a good opportunity.
Enjoy.’
– Young Kim Ha-seong went straight to the big leagues.
▲ I made a good contract.
Congratulations.
Unfortunately, I played in the American League and Ha Sung Kim in the National League, so it is difficult to see them during the season.
Ha-sung Kim will have a chance to talk after the season is over.
I came up from the minor leagues, and I was also hit by’Thirty’.
However, Ha-sung Kim, who succeeds in the KBO League and moves to the United States, will receive a lot of help from the club and colleagues.
Ha Sung Kim is a very good player.
If you approach your colleagues first, you can adapt well.
– Why is it strong for Gerrit Cole?
▲ I think I was lucky.
I was aiming for a fast ball, which is the advantage of Cole, but I got good results.
When Cole thought it was time to throw a change ball, a change ball came.
Ha-seong Kim will also hit a fast ball well.
– Is there a chance to play as a switch heater this year?
▲ Nothing at all.
Last year, the season was so short, and there were too few opportunities to play against left-handers, so I tried it once.
I hope there will be a chance to play against the left pitcher as well.
– What kind of experience did the World Series have for Ji-ji Choi?
▲ Because of Corona 19, he played the World Series at the neutral stadium (Globe Life Field).
It was regrettable that I could not play with the home fans at the home stadium.
Unfortunately I didn’t win, but it was a good experience.
It is said that Tampa Bay’s power has weakened this year, but I believe we can go to the World Series this year.
I really want to get one championship ring.
– Shall we show our unique leg-breaking defense this year?
▲ This year, I am not trying to show that kind of image.
The other beasts will throw the ball exactly.
I couldn’t do Pilates because it was difficult to do indoor sports during the off-season.
I think it will hurt if I tear my leg this year.
(Laughter) While having surgery on the back, pelvis, and ankles, I had problems with muscles and nerves.
My back nerves are said to be in my 70s. I am working hard on weight training and holding on to my muscles.
Fortunately, the body is well made.
You can do better.
– Both MLB and Korea have increased their awareness.
▲ At the end of the season, I was about to enter the country, but about 20 people came to the US airport to see me off.
I thought,’You lived well in America.’
I want to return with good grades.
In Korea, many people have supported me since the minor league days.
However, few people recognize me on the street.
Is it because of the mask?
(laugh)
– There is a senior Ryu Hyun-jin in Toronto, the global rival.
▲ Toronto did a good job reinforcing power.
However, our young players are getting better and better.
I am confident that’not only Toronto, but also the New York Yankees can win.’
When Ryu Hyun-jin meets at the stadium, they are proud of each other.
(Left-hander) When Ryu Hyun-jin started, I couldn’t play in the game, but I felt good even watching it at Dougout.
If I face up with Ryu Hyun-jin senior, I will work hard too.
I want to make good memories for my fans.
– The target for 2021 is.
▲ This year, the number of games will increase to 162 games again.
I want to play all the games because I manage my physical strength well. It was a pity at the end of each season in September.
I hope this year does not leave any regrets.
The goal is to work hard every year.
– If you become a third grader in high school, will you advance to the US?
▲ I have changed my mind now.
I want to live in Korean professional baseball.
I always missed training with Korean players.
Having been in the United States, there is no concept of’senior’ in the team.
It was also difficult to get sincere advice from Korean seniors.
If I have a chance again, I think I will play in the KBO league first.
– For the first time in Korean beasts, only Choi’s World Series uniforms are on display in the Hall of Fame.
▲ Honestly, I wanted to keep it.
(Laughter) The uniforms of Park Chan-ho and Kim Byung-hyun were on display as pitchers.
It is very meaningful that my uniform was exhibited for the first time in a Korean beast.
I think I can show off to my children later.
/yunhap news