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| SSG Landers Choo Shin-soo. /News1 © News1 Reporter Jeong Sik |
Choo Shin-soo (39, SSG Landers), who played an active part in the major leagues for the past 16 years, encouraged’juniors’ Kim Ha-seong (26, Padris, San Diego), who took a new challenge in the big leagues.
Choo Shin-soo met with reporters before the 2021 KBO League pilot match against NC Dinos held at Changwon NC Park on the 21st and said, “Because Kim Ha-sung has enough skills, he entered the major leagues. (It will take time to adapt).”
Ha-sung Kim hit more than 140 hits in the KBO League for six consecutive seasons and recorded double-digit home runs. In particular, in 2020, he hit a batting average of 0.306 and hit 30 homers, proving that he is the best shortstop in the league.
Based on his performance in the KBO league, Ha-sung Kim entered the big league by signing a contract with San Diego this year for up to $39 million (about 42.4 billion won) for 4+1 years.
However, the results Kim Ha-sung showed in the demonstration game so far did not meet expectations. In the demonstration game against the Los Angeles Dodgers that day, he ended up with no hits in 3 at-bats and stayed at a batting average of 0.115 (3 hits in 26 at-bats).
Choo Shin-soo, who entered the United States in 2001 and played an active part in the big leagues for 16 years from 2005, cheered, saying that he understands the grievances of Kim Ha-sung.
“I went to the major leagues for my dreams, but I will have more difficulties outside of baseball. I would not know if I only played baseball all day. My daily life after training and game is very difficult. There are many things to adjust to new pitchers, weather and culture. It’s a problem that we face a lot when we advance into the league. He is a player who is good at the beginning, so he will do well after time.”