CHOO not interested in facing RYU, puts responsibility on 17 billion monsters

‘Major League Senior’ Choo Shin-soo (42-SSG) gave Ryu Hyun-jin (37-Hanhwa) a special responsibility when he returned to Korea after 12 years. Just as he used his major league experience and know-how to improve the infrastructure of Korean baseball, he hopes that Ryu will broaden his horizons and contribute to the development of Korean baseball during his contract.

SSG Landers’ new captain, Choo Shin-soo, returned home from the first spring training camp in Vero Beach, Florida, via Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the evening of the 23rd.

After completing the first camp as captain, Choo Shin-soo met with the press at the airport and said, “I didn’t do anything differently as captain. I’m just a little more responsible. Previously, I managed the team while playing baseball, but this time I focused on management. I think my horizons have broadened.”

When asked if he emphasized anything in particular to the players, he said, “I emphasized the responsibility of being a professional athlete. I told them that I want them to realize why they are professional athletes and why they are here. I gave them the message that they shouldn’t just put on a uniform and go out on the field with a clear understanding of why they are here.”

What was the chemistry like with new coach Lee Sung-yong?

“I had a lot of conversations with him,” says Choo, “and it was unbelievable how well we fit together in terms of the team I wanted, the team I wanted, the style I wanted, the personality I wanted. I felt like I didn’t have to worry about anything else, I just had to take care of the players,” he said. “He approached me with an open mind as a player. He emphasized the importance of dialog, which surprised me a lot.”

Another reason why this offseason is unique for Shin-soo Choo is that he is in the final spring training of his career. 스포츠토토 “I will retire from professional baseball after the 2024 season,” Shin-Soo Choo announced in December of last year.

“I didn’t realize it at the beginning of camp, but after two or three times, I realized that this year’s camp was my last. “It’s a long way to travel to camp, so when I was talking to the players about it, I realized it was the last time,” he said. “But I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, and I didn’t just decide to retire in one year. I’ve been thinking about it for three years, and it’s still a dream because it’s going to happen in the future. It doesn’t really hit me that hard,” he said.

Choo Shin-soo also used the opportunity to applaud Ryu’s decision to return to the KBO after 12 years.

Ryu, who had been considering whether to stay in the major leagues or return to Hanwha, signed an eight-year, 17 billion won contract with Hanwha on Nov. 22, the largest in history.

Choo Shin-soo, eight years Ryu’s senior in the major leagues, said, “First of all, I’m really grateful that (Ryu) came. It’s not easy to live in a foreign country, but I think he did a really good job, so I want to tell him that as a senior, I struggled.”

Shin-soo further hopes that Ryu will be a mentor for the development of the KBO League during his contract, just as he was for him. After joining SSG in 2021, Choo used his 16 years of know-how and experience in the major leagues to criticize the KBO’s infrastructure, which led to many improvements.

“People’s concern is the matchup with Ryu Hyun-jin, but I see it differently,” Choo said, adding, “Hyun-jin played baseball in Korea and went to the major leagues, unlike me, and now he’s aware of what’s good and bad, what should be done and what shouldn’t be done. I want Korean baseball to open its mind and ears to listen to Ryu Hyun-jin and not just see what is in front of them. It is the goal of the people and the players to do well in international competitions. I think it’s good to create the conditions and environment for them to do so. I hope Hyun-jin will open up and share his experience with the players and the people so that we can build a stronger team and a stronger league.”

Choo Shin-soo conveyed this message directly to Hyun-jin in a phone call.

He said, “I’m going and he’s coming, so it’s a touch. I told Hyunjin that I wanted him to speak out about these things. It’s not important to know it by yourself anymore. Korean baseball can only develop if many people hear, know and experience it,” he added.

Ryu Hyun-jin expressed his excitement about facing Choo Shin-soo in an interview before his departure from Okinawa, Japan on the morning of the 23rd. “Tell him to expect a lot,” Shin-soo Choo laughed, “Of course, I will do my best in a head-to-head situation, but I only want my team to win. Also, Hyun-jin is thinking about the changes in Korean baseball, not just one player. I’m looking at the bigger picture,” he said.

After a day’s rest, SSG will depart for their second spring training camp in Chiayi, Taiwan, on the morning of the 25th to get their feet wet.

“The last time I went to Taiwan was when I was in school. I don’t even remember going there. I’m looking forward to it, and I want to have a good experience because it’s been a long time since I’ve been there.” “I know there are six practice games scheduled, but I want to try everything I want to try without getting injured and finish well,” he said, wishing for a successful end to the camp.