ID :
87814
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 10:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/87814
The shortlink copeid
Choo wants to play for S. Korea in 2010 Asian Games
SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Yonhap) -- Cleveland Indians outfielder Choo Shin-soo of South Korea said Wednesday he is eager to play for his national team at the Asian Games slated for next year in China.
The 26-year-old, who made his U.S. Major League debut in 2005, finished .300 with
20 homeruns and 21 stolen bases in the 2009 season -- making him the first Asian
player to exceed 20 or more homeruns and stolen bases in a season.
"I'm ready to join the national squad, if I get a call," he said. "I have been
talking with my club on the issue. I want to take part in the Asian Games."
South Korea's baseball team won its first-ever Olympic gold in Beijing last year
and aims to win the Asian Games scheduled to be held in Guangzhou in November
next year.
A gold medal in Guangzhou would give Choo an exemption from two-year compulsory
military service. South Korean law allows exceptions if a player or his team wins
an Asian Games gold or at least a bronze medal at the Olympics.
A number of players, including Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Park Chan-ho, have
benefited from the exception.
"I gained good experience and good memories at the World Baseball Classics (WBC)
early this year," Choo said at a press conference in southern Seoul, "I still
want to grab an opportunity to play for the national team."
Choo returned to South Korea on Tuesday after finishing his first full-time
season in the United States.
At the WBC in March, he played a major role in lifting South Korea to the finals
with two homeruns, one of which evened the game against Japan in the WBC final.
Although South Korea lost 5-3 to Japan in the final, Choo said that he was very
proud of South Korea's players, who performed outstandingly in the global event.
"I felt that Korea's players have improved a lot. They made few errors throughout
the tournament. I learned a lot from them," said Choo.
In the next season, he said that he wants to contribute more to the Cleveland
Indians.
"I hit .300 with 20 homeruns but I think I have room to improve. I want to hit
better and defend better next year," he said.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
The 26-year-old, who made his U.S. Major League debut in 2005, finished .300 with
20 homeruns and 21 stolen bases in the 2009 season -- making him the first Asian
player to exceed 20 or more homeruns and stolen bases in a season.
"I'm ready to join the national squad, if I get a call," he said. "I have been
talking with my club on the issue. I want to take part in the Asian Games."
South Korea's baseball team won its first-ever Olympic gold in Beijing last year
and aims to win the Asian Games scheduled to be held in Guangzhou in November
next year.
A gold medal in Guangzhou would give Choo an exemption from two-year compulsory
military service. South Korean law allows exceptions if a player or his team wins
an Asian Games gold or at least a bronze medal at the Olympics.
A number of players, including Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Park Chan-ho, have
benefited from the exception.
"I gained good experience and good memories at the World Baseball Classics (WBC)
early this year," Choo said at a press conference in southern Seoul, "I still
want to grab an opportunity to play for the national team."
Choo returned to South Korea on Tuesday after finishing his first full-time
season in the United States.
At the WBC in March, he played a major role in lifting South Korea to the finals
with two homeruns, one of which evened the game against Japan in the WBC final.
Although South Korea lost 5-3 to Japan in the final, Choo said that he was very
proud of South Korea's players, who performed outstandingly in the global event.
"I felt that Korea's players have improved a lot. They made few errors throughout
the tournament. I learned a lot from them," said Choo.
In the next season, he said that he wants to contribute more to the Cleveland
Indians.
"I hit .300 with 20 homeruns but I think I have room to improve. I want to hit
better and defend better next year," he said.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
