“Formidable against the samurai! Pay attention to Choi Ji-hoon, the ‘doctor’ whom Korea summoned instead of Choi Ji-man.”
On the 9th, Tokyo Sports, a Japanese media outlet, published an online article with the same title. The media said about SSG outfielder Choi Ji-hoon (26), who joined the Korean WBC national team as a substitute player, “This man could become a dangerous presence in Japan with the power of patriotism.”
An official from the Japanese national team told the media, “The rules have been changed since this tournament, so the match start time has been advanced from the 11th inning (2017 WBC) to the 10th inning.” It seems that he was selected as the ‘joker’ that plays온라인카지노.” Then he said, “If Choi Ji-hoon, who loves Korea more than anyone else and is a mood maker, enters the bench, the possibility that the atmosphere will change in an instant will naturally increase.”
This report gave Choi Ji-hoon a small smile and confidence. Choi Ji-hoon, who we met at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida, USA, where the SSG spring camp was held on the 10th (local time), said, “I am on the patriotic side, but I have never expressed it. How did he know everything there and wrote an article. I think it’s good,” he laughed. He said, “He said he was on the alert from the Japanese side, so he was able to gain confidence on his own.”
On the 6th, Choi Ji-hoon was selected as a substitute player in place of Choi Ji-hoon, who was blocked from participating in the WBC due to opposition from the Pittsburgh club. In SSG, a total of three people, including Choi Jeong and Kim Gwang-hyun, wore the Taegeuk mark. He is diligently sweating ahead of the national team joint training that starts on the 15th in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Choi Ji-hoon said, “I am not worried about my physical condition at all because I have already built my body.”
Senior outfielder Kim Kang-min said, “The people who will save the country are fixed anyway, so don’t try to do anything, just do what you feel comfortable doing, and you’ll be fine.” Choi Ji-hoon decided not to be greedy and to be faithful to his role. He said, “Rather than having high expectations, I have a strong idea that I should take responsibility as a national player. He has to show a play worthy of the Taegeuk mark,” he said.
Choi Ji-hoon did not receive a professional designation during high school, so he even thought about quitting baseball. In his sophomore year of college, he switched positions from infielder to outfielder, where his belated blossom began. In 2020, he was nominated by SSG predecessor SK and fulfilled his dream of becoming a professional player. That winter, as a freshman in college, he participated in the Florida spring camp and opened the second act of his baseball career. Choi Ji-hoon said, “Florida is a pleasant place,” and “I flew there with a fluttering heart.” He heard that he joined the WBC in Florida this year.
It is highly likely that he will be used as a major defense or counter-runner in this WBC. Choi Ji-hoon said, “It would be nice if there was a scene where I can change the atmosphere, whether it’s defense or running.” He continued, “It will be a good experience and there will be many things to learn, but since I am a player representing our country, I will work with the mindset of winning rather than the mindset of learning.”