Incheon, South Korea – Former Major League Baseball star Choo Shin-soo has officially retired from professional baseball, bringing to an end a 24-year career that saw him become one of the most accomplished Asian players in MLB history.

In a heartfelt retirement press conference held on November 7th, Choo expressed his gratitude to fans for their unwavering support throughout his career. "I've heard from so many fans who told me they would wake up early to watch my games when I was playing in the US," Choo said. "When I held a fan signing event this year and heard them say, 'Thank you for coming to Korea,' I was moved to tears."

Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2001, Choo quickly established himself as one of the premier outfielders in Major League Baseball. He achieved numerous milestones, including hitting for the cycle in 2015 and becoming the first Asian player to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a single season multiple times.

After a successful stint in the MLB, Choo returned to his native South Korea in 2021 to play for the SSG Landers. Despite being in the latter stages of his career, Choo continued to excel, helping the SSG Landers win the KBO League championship in 2022.

"As a player, you sweat and toil for the goal of winning," Choo said. "Without the goal of winning, there's no reason to push yourself so hard. I always wanted to win a championship during my career, and winning in 2022 was the greatest reward."

Choo's dedication to his team was evident throughout his career. In his final season, he played through a shoulder injury and served as a mentor to younger players. He underwent shoulder surgery shortly after the end of the season.

Looking ahead to the future, Choo said he is excited to explore new opportunities but is unsure of what his next steps will be. "I'm physically and mentally exhausted, so I think it's too early to start something new," he said. "I'm going to take some time to think about what I want to do next, and how I can contribute to the sport of baseball."

Choo Shin-soo's retirement marks the end of an era for Korean baseball. His impact on the sport both in South Korea and the United States will be felt for years to come.

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