Former MLB All-Star Choo Shin-soo Retires After 24-Year Career

Former Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Choo Shin-soo has officially announced his retirement from professional baseball after a distinguished 24-year career. The announcement was made during a retirement press conference held in Incheon, South Korea, on November 7, 2024.

Choo, 42, had a storied career that spanned 16 seasons in the MLB and four seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). He played for the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), Cincinnati Reds, and Texas Rangers in the MLB. In 2018, while with the Texas Rangers, Choo earned his first and only All-Star selection.

In the KBO, Choo played for the SSG Landers from 2021 to 2024, contributing significantly to the team’s success, including winning a Korean Series title in 2022. He also became the oldest position player in KBO history in July 2024.

Choo’s career was marked by several milestones, including being the first Asian-born player to achieve a 20-20 season in MLB, which he accomplished in 2009, 2010, and 2013. He finished his MLB career with 218 home runs and 782 RBIs, records that stood as the highest for an Asian-born player until recently surpassed by Shohei Ohtani.

In his final season with the Landers, Choo served as the team’s captain and played on the league minimum salary, which he donated entirely to charities. This philanthropic gesture is consistent with his long history of charitable contributions, having donated over 1.4 billion won to charities during his time in the KBO.

At the retirement press conference, Choo reflected on his career, expressing his gratitude for the time he spent in Korea and his dedication to the sport. He hopes to be remembered as a player who was completely dedicated to baseball and serious about the craft.

Choo’s future plans are currently undecided, but he advised his younger colleagues to always do their best to maintain their positions in the sport.