Choi Ji-hoon (26, SSG Landers), who dramatically boarded the World Baseball Classic (WBC) national team, revealed a heavy sense of responsibility for the first Taegeuk mark.
Choi Ji-hoon, who is currently participating in the SSG spring camp in Vero Beach, Florida, USA, said after his joining the 2023 WBC national team was confirmed on the 6th, “I didn’t expect it at all, but it feels good to be suddenly selected. I don’t feel it yet.” I am grateful to those who selected me for this honorable position. I will participate in the national team with a sense of responsibility.”
Previously, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced, “Choi Ji-hoon was unable to participate in the WBC due to the opposition of his team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Choi Ji-hoon was selected as a substitute player.”
Choi Ji-man was named to the final 30-man list of the WBC national team announced last month, but it was unclear whether he would join.
Choi Ji-man, who wore a Pittsburgh uniform through a trade after the 2022 season, underwent an elbow bone fragment removal surgery last November. Pittsburgh, which carried out a trade to appoint Choi Ji-man as the starting first baseman, was concerned that Choi, who had just had surgery, would participate in the WBC.
When Choi Ji-man left the country at the beginning of last month, he revealed that he was “continuing to persuade the club,” but Pittsburgh’s decision was’disallowed’.
In case Choi Ji-man could not join, the KBO Technical Committee and coach Lee Kang-cheol were looking at alternative resources.
Coach Lee and the technical committee considered the fact that in addition to Choi Ji-man, Park Byung-ho and Kang Baek-ho (above KT Wiz) have other first baseman resources, they selected Choi Ji-hoon, who is well versed in offense, defense, and running, as an alternative resource.
Last year, Choi Ji-hoon, who was labeled as a promising player with a batting average of 0.304, 10 home runs, 61 RBIs, 31 stolen bases, and 93 points, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.789, succeeded in being promoted to the adult national team for the first time in his life.
Choi Ji-hoon said, “When I was selected for the 50-person interest list last year, Choi Jeong-senpai said, ‘You can go, I want you to go together.’ I didn’t think it would become a reality, but I’m happy to be able to go with you even if it’s late.”
Choi Ji-hoon, who said he immediately called his parents after hearing the news of joining the national team, said, “I am grateful to my parents,” and added, “I was able to achieve good results last year because coach Kim Won-hyung gave me the opportunity to participate. thank you,” he said.
Choi Ji-hoon said, “I am confident in my physical condition because I built my body well in Korea during the off-season,” but emphasized, “I am most worried about the sense of the actual game. From tomorrow, I will gradually increase my pace and prepare for the WBC match schedule.”
Choi Ji-hoon was selected for the under-23 national team in 2018 when he was at Dongguk University, but this WBC is the first time he has played in an adult national team where professional players are the main players. 카지노
Choi Ji-hoon said, “The national team is a very heavy position. Wearing a uniform with the Taegeuk mark is a responsibility that comes with a lot of responsibility.” I will focus. I may not be able to play as the main player, but I will do my best in the role I am given.”