“I won’t lose my focus”.
Choi Hyung-woo (41) of the KIA Tigers has agreed to the oldest non-free agent multi-year contract in history. The contract is worth 2.2 billion won, including a 1+1 year, 2 billion won option. The 2025 contract will be automatically extended if the 2024 option is fulfilled. This paves the way for him to continue playing until the 2025 season, when he will be 42 years old. It’s amazing that he signed three big contracts after being released.
He joined Samsung in 2002 as a catcher, but failed to make an impact. He was released in 2004 and rejoined the team after serving in the police force. In 2008, he became a center fielder and played a key role in the Samsung dynasty. He became a free agent after the 2016 season and signed a four-year, 10 billion won contract with KIA. At the time, it was the most expensive contract for a baseball player. Upon joining the team, he led a 3-for-3 batting lineup as the No. 4 hitter and was a key contributor to the team’s title run.
From 2017 to 2020, he had a staggering 2393 at-bats, hitting .335 with 96 home runs, 424 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.980. He even won the batting title in 2020. 카지노사이트 It was worth every penny. After the 2020 season, he was eligible for free agency for the second time at the age of 37, earning a three-year, $4.7 billion jackpot.
The second free agency period was not without its ups and downs.
The 2021 season was his worst due to eye problems and a thigh injury. The first half of the 2022 season was also lackluster, but he rebounded in the second half of the year with a triple-digit batting average. In 2023, he led the team with 121 games, a triple, 17 home runs, 81 RBIs, 64 runs scored, and 130 hits. He also set the franchise records for most hits and most doubles. His season was cut short by a broken collarbone.
Choi was not eligible for free agency and was signed to a general contract. The club recognized Choi’s outstanding performance and sincere work ethic and rewarded him with a multi-year contract. For seven years, he gave his best in matches and training and became a role model for his juniors. We are expecting him to show his consistent performance for another two years.
He was given three generous contracts for his efforts without losing his focus.
KIA President Shim Jae-hak said, “In addition to his outstanding performance, he has always set an example for his fellow players as a clubhouse leader, so we tried to honor him accordingly. We hope that he will continue to have a good influence on his fellow players and play a representative role in the KBO League,” he said, explaining the reason for the multi-year contract.
Choi Hyung-woo also expressed his desire to do his best. “I’m grateful that the club offered me a multi-year contract first. 카지노사이트 순위 I will do my best with my teammates so that the screams of fall baseball can be heard in Gwangju. I want to be remembered by Tigers fans as a player who never lost his focus and was always consistent until the last day of his career,” Choi said. It will be interesting to see how he performs in his final two years.