Choo Shin-soo (41, SSG Landers) is spreading good culture in the KBO League.
On the 4th, Choo Shin-soo delivered a thank-you gift worth 50 million won to 55 club officials who worked hard for the team last year on New Year’s Day. In the American Major League, this good deed is established as a culture. Major league players like Shin-soo Choo express their gratitude to those who worked behind the scenes for the team, including bus drivers, locker areas, laundry and cleaning, team cafeteria, groundskeepers, cheerleaders, and drill assistants.
Choo Shin-soo is a veteran who has played 16 seasons in the major leagues, including the Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers. Choo Shin-soo has been at the forefront of changing the KBO culture since he came to Korea after signing with SSG in 2021. In the meantime, while living in the major leagues, he spread the culture he observed positively, and when he saw things to improve, he spoke out without hesitation.
A typical example is the improvement of the locker room at Jamsil Stadium last year. Jamsil Baseball Stadium was completed in 1982, and the facility has deteriorated along with the 40-year history of professional baseball. In particular, there was a lack of space for visiting teams, such as locker rooms, shower rooms, and trainer rooms, so players often spread their equipment in the hallway or took a break on the bus.
As soon as Choo Shin-soo confirmed the poor current situation of Jamsil Baseball Stadium during the season, he said, “(There is no practice batting space) I swing in a narrow space and go out as a pinch hitter. It’s the same 토토사이트. I want to ask myself if it’s really the player’s fault when I can’t hit as a pinch hitter,” he said with determination, “If you talk about Korean professional baseball, it’s the major league in Korea. We need to have the right facilities.”
Choo Shin-soo’s remarks were a great encouragement to those who had been unable to express their dissatisfaction with the away team facilities at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. The Seoul Metropolitan Government, unable to overcome public opinion supporting Choo Shin-soo, raised money to improve the Jamsil Baseball Stadium, and the players were able to focus on the game in a slightly better environment.
Other than that, there are various changes that Choo Shin-soo brought to the KBO League. He didn’t even raise his nose at his reputation as a major leaguer. He approached players younger than himself first, passed on exercise routines, and made efforts such as providing baseball equipment.
His distinctive clubhouse leadership also set a good example for his juniors. He also took the lead in spreading a good culture by carrying out various donation activities both inside and outside the baseball field, such as actively supporting the baseball team of his alma mater, Busan High School.
The ‘culture changer’ Choo Shin-soo’s good influence is gradually changing the KBO. I wonder what the changes that started with Choo Shin-soo will bring to the KBO in the future.