It was literally a home run that came out from the start of the game. Choo Shin-soo (41‧SSG)’s bat turned splendidly, and the sound of the batted ball was different. The moment he hit, he could intuit that it was a home run.

Shin-soo Choo played as the first right fielder in an exhibition game against Lotte held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 16th, and as the lead batter in the first inning, he hit a superior solo home run against Lotte starter Na Kyun-an. Na Kyun-an’s fast ball was not driven in the middle, but rather from a slightly outside course, but Choo Shin-soo caught it at the right timing and threw it over the right fence.안전놀이터

There is no need to attach much importance to the results of the exhibition games, but it was worthwhile just to get a glimpse of the process going smoothly. SBS Sports commentator Lee Jong-yeol, who relayed the game, said, “It was a home run at the moment it hit, but it means that he was in good condition. The sense of hitting has completely improved.” I think I hit it. The point was good to grab the outside.”

He is 41 years old. As Choo Shin-soo admits, it is a time when the age of one year old and one year old can continue to feel heavy. Even the player knows very well that his physical ability is not as good as before, and that he needs to exercise more to maintain it. However, there are also positive points compared to last year when he was 1 year younger and the year before last year when he was 2 years younger. The point is that he can prepare for the season in perfect condition and without any shackles. Choo Shin-soo also had high expectations for this.

In 2021, the first year of the KBO League, the contract was late. He signed a contract only in February, and after returning home, he was unable to carry out his normal camp schedule due to self-isolation due to the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19). While resting, his body, which he had made in the U.S., was disorganized to a large extent, and he spent a lot of energy trying to get back into shape. Last year was right after his elbow surgery. It took him 3-4 months to rehab and he also missed the normal camp schedule. He had a strong feeling of participating in the demonstration game by improving his condition by cramming.

But his year is different. He has no obstacles. In fact, after thinking about retiring at the end of last year, Choo Shin-soo, who extended his active service by one more year due to regret, made his body with the determination that it might be his last. He is ready to play two games as an outfielder even if he can’t do it in a week, not only for his batting but also for arranging the stamina of his fellow outfielders. Since the time of the Florida camp, favorable comments have been pouring in, “I have built a good body. It is also Choo Shin-soo.”

Choo Shin-soo was not actually a man in March. He prepared for his opening match according to his own routine. In the demonstration game, the process rather than the result was closely observed. Maybe that’s why, even in the major leagues, his performance in exhibition games wasn’t very good. His record might be good because he often meets up-and-coming players, but his regular season batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage were not better.

The exhibition game, that is, the home run in March, was the last year (two) in 2018 when it was a Texas team. It was the first home run in March in five years. In the last three years, there was only one long hit in the demonstration game, but this year the start is different.

On the 13th, against Samsung in Daegu, he perfectly kicked up opponent ace David Buchanan’s low ball and hit a double through the middle of the right. He also hit a home run on the 16th. As long as there are still many exhibition games left, it is expected that he will be able to enter the regular season in 100% condition as long as there are no injuries. We haven’t been able to meet 100% Choo Shin-soo often due to various circumstances. This year, attention is being paid to whether that can be done from the start.