Press conference held in Songdo, Incheon on the 7th… Choi Jeong and Kim Gwang-hyeon attended
“Lee Seung-yeop and Lee Dae-ho are players at a higher level than me.”
Choo Shin-soo (42), the ‘Choo Choo Train’ who achieved many achievements in the Major League Baseball (MLB) and KBO League, left the field, saying, “If given the next life, I will choose baseball again.” Regarding the ‘director Choo Shin-soo theory’ raised by some, he shook his head and said, “I have no thoughts yet.”
Choo Shin-soo, who left SSG Landers, where he played for four years, at the end of the 2024 season, held a retirement press conference at the Ambassador Hotel in Gyeongwonjae, Songdo, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, on the 7th. SSG juniors Choi Jeong and Kim Gwang-hyun attended and delivered bouquets of flowers.
Choo Shin-soo, who introduced himself as a ‘former baseball player,’ said, “I am grateful to the fans who stayed up at night and watched my games when I was playing in the United States. “I didn’t perform as well as expected in Korea, but it was nice to learn about Korean baseball and make good memories,” he said.
Choo Shin-soo, who began his career in the United States in 2001 after graduating from Busan High School, played for the Seattle Mariners (2001-2006), Cleveland Guardians (2006-2012), Cincinnati Reds (2013), and Texas Rangers (2014-2020).
In 1,652 MLB games, he recorded a batting average of 0.275 (1,671 hits in 6,087 at-bats), 218 home runs, 782 RBIs, 961 runs, 157 stolen bases, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.824.
After signing with SSG in 2021, he played 439 games over 4 seasons with a batting average of 0.263 (396 hits in 1,505 at-bats), 54 home runs, 205 RBIs, 266 runs, and 51 stolen bases with an OPS of 0.812. Although his performance was not stellar, he led his juniors as a dugout leader. In 2022, he led the KBO League’s first ever ‘Wire-to-Wire Championship’.
Choo Shin-soo said, “I wasn’t special. However, it seems that he was a ‘5-tool type’ with many abilities. “I was always sincere about baseball,” he said. “I remember my first and last at-bats in MLB. “And in 2020, it is regrettable that I was not able to say my final greetings to my fans due to the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) incident,” he said.
He continued, “I went through a difficult time this year due to injuries, and my desire to play disappeared. Any lingering affection for the player has completely disappeared. “I am currently having a really comfortable winter for the first time,” he said. “I plan to take a break for a while and think about my next move.” The director is not ready yet. “I never even thought about it,” he said.
Choo Shin-soo, the maternal nephew of Lotte Giants legend Park Jeong-tae (55), was a famous baseball player in Busan until his high school days. Choo Shin-soo himself also has a special affection and emotion for the Lotte team.
However, in the 2007 overseas special nomination, SK had the rights to Choo Shin-soo, and Choo Shin-soo ended up wearing the SSG uniform.
Choo Shin-soo said, “Actually, I developed my dream of becoming a player while watching Lotte. “It’s a pity that I can’t play for Lotte, but anyway, I took my first new step in Incheon,” he said. “SSG is like my first team.” “I am especially proud of working with great colleagues like Kim Gwang-hyun and Choi Jeong,” he explained.
He continued, “There are many juniors with potential, such as Choi Ji-hoon, Park Seong-han, Jo Byeong-hyun, Jeong Jun-jae, and Park Ji-hwan.” He added, “As the next captain, both Choi Ji-hoon and Park Seong-han have qualities, but (Park) Seong-han has a quiet style, so (Choi) Ji-hoon is better. “I don’t think so,” he said with a laugh.
There is a debate among baseball fans about the ranking of ‘Chugang Daeyeop’. Among Choo Shin-soo, Kang Jeong-ho, Lee Dae-ho, and Lee Seung-yeop, there is a lot of debate as to which player is the best hitter.
First of all, Choo Shin-soo said, “Please leave me out.” “He is a player who cannot be compared to this,” he said, waving his hands.
However, he soon said with a serious expression, “Actually, (Kang) Jeong-ho was the best in Korea, but he did not play many games in the United States. “Personally, I think (Lee) Dae-ho and coach Lee Seung-yeop are higher,” he said. “If Dae-ho and coach Lee had been given many opportunities in the United States and had been there for a long time, they would have achieved better results than me.” He humbled himself by saying, “He is definitely a higher player than me.”
Time.news Interview: Retirement Reflections with Baseball Legend Choo Shin-soo
Interviewer (Editor of Time.news): Good afternoon, Choo Shin-soo. Thank you for joining us today. Your retirement press conference was quite emotional and inspiring. How are you feeling now that you’ve officially stepped away from the game?
Choo Shin-soo: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me! Honestly, I’m feeling surprisingly comfortable. It’s the first time in many years that I can relax without the pressures of being an active player. While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to the field, I’m grateful for all the experiences I’ve had.
Interviewer: You’ve had an illustrious career in both MLB and the KBO League. Looking back, what stands out as one of your proudest achievements?
Choo Shin-soo: That’s a tough question because there have been many memorable moments. However, leading the SSG Landers to the KBO League’s first-ever ‘Wire-to-Wire Championship’ in 2022 is something very special to me. It showed the power of teamwork and leadership, which are values I hold dearly.
Interviewer: You mentioned in your speech that “if given the next life, I will choose baseball again.” What is it about the sport that you love so deeply?
Choo Shin-soo: Baseball has been a part of my life for so long. It’s not just a game; it’s a blend of passion, discipline, and camaraderie. The thrill of playing, the challenges of the game, and the relationships built with teammates and fans are irreplaceable. I can’t imagine life without it.
Interviewer: During your press conference, you humbly stated that you weren’t special, yet you referred to yourself as a ‘5-tool type’ player. Can you elaborate on that?
Choo Shin-soo: What I meant is that I always tried to bring a well-rounded skill set to the field. I focused on different aspects of the game—hitting, fielding, base running, and so on. But I also believe that every player is unique and contributes in their way. To me, it’s about the love for the game and sincerity in how you play it.
Interviewer: You had some challenges this past year with injuries. How did that impact your decision to retire?
Choo Shin-soo: The injuries were tough to deal with, and they diminished my desire to continue playing. I’ve always been someone who gives their all, so when I felt I couldn’t perform at my best, it was a pivotal moment for me. I realized it was time to step back and let the younger players take the lead.
Interviewer: Speaking of younger players, you’ve identified some promising talent in the SSG roster. What advice would you give them as they navigate their careers?
Choo Shin-soo: I always tell young players to stay focused and not lose sight of their dreams. The journey will have ups and downs, but it’s important to learn from every experience. Great players like Choi Ji-hoon and Park Seong-han have the potential to excel. They should just remember to be true to themselves and keep working hard.
Interviewer: As for your future, you mentioned you’re taking a break before deciding on your next steps. Do you see yourself in a coaching or managerial role someday?
Choo Shin-soo: At this point, I honestly haven’t thought much about that. There’s so much pressure in those roles. For now, I want to enjoy some time off and reflect on everything. I believe that whatever I choose will come naturally in time.
Interviewer: It’s refreshing to hear such honest introspection. Choo, if you could send a message to your fans who have supported you throughout your journey, what would that be?
Choo Shin-soo: I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the fans who followed my career, especially those who stayed up late to watch my games in the U.S. Your support means the world to me. I may be retiring from playing, but I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for everyone who cheered for me.
Interviewer: Thank you so much, Choo Shin-soo, for sharing your thoughts and experiences. We wish you all the best in this new chapter of your life!
Choo Shin-soo: Thank you! It was a pleasure to talk with you.