Shin-Soo Choo could be exempt from military service
Since helping the South Korean baseball team win a gold medal at the Asian games, Cleveland Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo may be exempt from conscription in his home country.
In South Korea, it is mandatory for males to serve in the military for a time of no less than two years before their 30th birthday. With this recent gold medal, ten of the Korean baseball team members will receive the exemption, according to the
Korea Times.
"I am kind of dreaming right now," Choo told Korean reporters according to mlb.com. "Honestly, if [I told you] I didn't think about the military service, I might be a liar. But it wasn't the primary reason to join in national team. I love baseball, and whenever
I put the national flag on the shoulder, I am really proud of my nation and myself.”
Choo has been on a tear with his bat over the past three years in North America. He has had a batting average of .300 or better, and accumulated an on-base percentage of .394 or better during that stretch. He is also the only Indians player since 1901 to
have had consecutive .300 seasons with 20 or more home runs and 20 stolen bases.
He also has career numbers of 59 home runs to go along with 270 runs batted in and 488 hits.
During the tournament he just played in Asia, Choo went 8-14 for a batting average of .571, which included three home runs, six walks, eight runs and 11 runs batted in.
In the gold medal game against Taiwan, he went 2-4 with two runs batted in and a stolen base.
"That's why I want to play [for] this team. I am representing all the Korean baseball players." Choo has said according to mlb.com.
"I'm very happy for him," Indians manager Manny Acta said to mlb.com. "He is a proud man who cares a lot about winning. Now South Korea is on top of Asian baseball, and he can continue to make them proud with his accomplishments in MLB."
Indians fans would not want to see Choo depart for his military requirement, so hopes are high with Cleveland fans that he will be exempt.
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