They told me not to feel burdened because there are people who are saving the country anyway.”
SSG Landers outfielder Choi Ji-hoon was selected as a ‘surprising’ addition to the WBC national team on the 6th. Major leaguer Choi Ji-hoon’s participation in the WBC was canceled due to the opposition of his team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the national team’s technical committee selected Choi Ji-hoon as a replacement player. Although Choi Ji-man and his position are different, it was the reason for considering the ability to perform operations and the breadth of utilization. He knew that ‘depending on the situation, there is a possibility of being selected as a substitute player안전놀이터‘, but he learned about the selection after the KBO’s announcement. Choi Ji-hoon, who is training with his team in Florida, USA, became the third SSG player to become the WBC national team after Choi Jeong and Kim Gwang-hyun.
Although he has established himself as the obvious starting outfielder and ‘table setter’ in the team, being selected for the national team is another joy. It is because he represents the country wearing a uniform with the Taegeuk mark. There are already outstanding outfielders in the national team, such as Lee Jung-hoo (Kiwoom) and Kim Hyun-soo (LG), but Choi Ji-hoon will also stand shoulder to shoulder with them. He had ambitions for the WBC team, but was not included in the final roster. Choi Ji-hoon, who bravely went on his way to the camp, saying, “It’s unfortunate, but I’m the only one who loses if I regret it,” heard the happy news a week later.
The first to inform the news was the family. His parents especially liked it. Choi Ji-hoon smiled, saying, “You were calm when talking to me, but when I heard the story later, my parents said they were crying.” It was the most rewarding moment as his son.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the advice of Kim Kang-min, the ‘original beast’ who is a direct senior in the same position in the team and usually gives Choi Ji-hoon the most advice. Choi Ji-hoon said, “Senior Kang-min playfully told me, ‘The people who seek the country are fixed anyway, so don’t try to do anything, just do what you feel comfortable with. Just do what you’ve been doing’. It relieved the tension and was the most impressive and fun advice.”
Choi Ji-hoon, who participated as a rookie at the 2020 Florida camp, but now as a main player and national representative, he feels a sense of alienation for the past three years. Choi Ji-hoon said, “Florida is a pleasant place. It is also a place where my baseball life started anew, so I came here with a thrill.” I was determined.