Choo decided to retire after one more year of active duty. Choo released a press release through his club on the 14th and announced that he would retire at the end of the 2024 season.
Choo, who joined the SSG after finishing his Major League career and held a special right to name players overseas, is already entering his fourth season in Korea. After this season, Choo has been agonizing over his career path. Some critics say that Choo may be retiring.
However, Choo is known to have strong affection for playing in the field while wearing a uniform. However, no one could disagree that it is time for him to decide when and how he will retire. After consulting with his family and club, Choo also concluded that he would play for one more year and end his career. At the same time, Choo announced that he would sign a contract with a minimum salary of 30 million won (30,000 U.S. dollars) in the 2024 season, and donate all the money. This is a beautiful ending where you can read his thoughts on donating.
Choo is not alone. There are two more players of the same age who were born in 1982. They are Kim Kang-min and Oh Seung-hwan.
Kim Kang-min, who had shared the joys and sorrows with the SSG until this year, made a shocking transfer to the Hanwha Eagles through the second draft after the end of the season. It was not Kim’s choice. Kim Kang-min has been thinking about retirement since the end of the season, but controversy arose over his transfer before detailed discussions with the club were completed.
The Hanwha Eagles, who need reinforcement in the outfield, named Kim Kang-min in the final round, and he is on the brink of moving to Hanwha in order to decide to retire immediately or pursue his career as a player without leaving SSG. Finally, the “one-club man” Kim Kang-min decided to move to Hanwha with tears in his eyes. Kim Kang-min has also decided to play as an active player next season along with Choo Shin-soo. He has yet to officially announce his retirement plan. For now, he will focus on serving as a model for younger players as a veteran player with a well-respected career in Hanwha.
Oh Seung-hwan, another pitcher born in 1982, declared himself an FA after the 2023 season. Oh, who finished the season with 400 saves for the first time in the KBO League, suffered the worst slump since his debut this season, but ended the season by signaling his solid performance.토토사이트
Oh Seung-hwan is also over 40 years old, so some people ask about retirement, but he proudly declared himself an FA. Samsung doesn’t have the idea that it is basically not signing Oh either. Oh is currently in contract negotiations with the club. As he is well-known for his thorough management, he still shows his confidence as a closing pitcher and attachment to his active career as a bullpen pitcher.
In addition, players over the age of 40 are still playing on the ground, including Ko Hyo-joon of SSG, who was born in 1983, Noh Kyung-eun of SSG, and Choi Hyung-woo of KIA, who was born in 1984. Until a few years ago, it was like a dream to play until the age of 40, and there was an atmosphere of retirement as if they were pushed around without knowing. However, recently, as players’ self-management has become more detailed and professional in body care, they can enjoy their heyday even in their late 30s.
There is no right answer as to how long players over 40 can continue their career. They only have their own choices and new paths.