Shin-Soo Choo, a veteran outfielder and former MLB All-Star, has officially retired from professional baseball following his final appearance in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) league. Choo's last game was on October 1, 2024, playing for the SSG Landers in Incheon, South Korea.
Choo, who turned 42 in July, received a standing ovation from the fans ahead of his last at-bat. He bowed to the audience and then grounded out to second base, marking the end of an illustrious career that spanned over two decades.
Career Highlights
Shin-Soo Choo began his professional baseball career in 2001 and made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2005. He was initially a top prospect in the Mariners' farm system before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2006. Choo spent several successful years with the Indians, batting .292 with an .853 OPS and accumulating 21.8 WAR during his time there.
Choo also played for the Cincinnati Reds and had a significant stint with the Texas Rangers, where he spent the final seven seasons of his MLB career. In 2018, he earned his first and only MLB All-Star selection and set a Texas Rangers record by reaching base in 52 consecutive games. Choo finished his MLB career with 1,671 hits, 218 home runs, 783 RBI, 157 stolen bases, and a 34.6 WAR, all of which are records for a Korean-born player in MLB.
In 2021, Choo returned to his native South Korea to play for the SSG Landers in the KBO League. During his time in the KBO, he continued to perform at a high level, averaging 20 home runs, 76 RBI, and 19 stolen bases per 162 games. In 2024, Choo became the oldest player in KBO history to steal a base.
Final Season and Retirement
In his final season with the SSG Landers, Choo batted .281 with five home runs, 37 RBI, five stolen bases, and a .776 OPS. He announced his decision to retire at the end of the 2024 KBO season in December 2023.
Choo's career is marked by numerous achievements, including being named the American League Player of the Month in September 2008 and holding the record for most career home runs by an Asian-born player in MLB until it was surpassed by Shohei Ohtani. He also ranks 24th among all major leaguers in career hit by pitch with 152.
For more detailed information on Shin-Soo Choo's career, you can visit his Wikipedia page.
