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Next year’s entire annual salary of 30 million won will be donated,
“It’s time to put an end to my 23-year baseball career.”

Choo Shin-soo (41), who left a brilliant mark as a Korean major leaguer, will leave the field after playing for SSG Landers until next season.

SSG announced on the 14th, “Choo Shin-soo has decided to end his professional career and retire at the end of the 2024 season.”

Choo Shin-soo said through the club, “I had a lot of concerns with his family during the off-season. “Every time that happened, the support of SSG and the fans and the images of the younger players flashed before my eyes,” he said. “I felt that he loved baseball and the team so much that he thought about the club and his career path together.” “The club and new coach Lee Soong-yong needed me and respected my opinion,” he said.

Regarding his decision to retire after next season, he said, “I have been playing baseball in the United States and Korea since 2001, and I think the time has come to end 23 years. “As this is the last season, I would like to express my gratitude to the fans who have supported me so far and give them meaningful memories regardless of whether they are home or away fans,” he emphasized.

According to the club, during recent career discussions, Shin-Soo Choo expressed his intention to retire after the end of the 2024 season and his intention to sign a contract for next season with the minimum annual salary of 30 million won.

Choo Shin-soo, who entered the KBO League stage in 2021, received an annual salary of 2.7 billion won in the first year and 2022, and 1.7 billion won this year. He volunteered to cut his annual salary by 1.67 billion won.

As Choo Shin-soo's salary was significantly reduced, SSG club had room in the salary cap.

The SSG club said, “Choo Shin-soo’s minimum salary is a deep consideration for the management of the club, and we are very grateful. “Thanks to this, the club was able to expand its range of operations in the areas of salary cap, player salaries, and free agents,” he explained.

Choo Shin-soo also plans to donate his entire annual salary of 30 million won for the 2024 season. SSG explained, “The club will also participate in donation activities out of respect for Choo Shin-soo’s opinion,” and added, “The exact donation amount and donation activities will be disclosed later.”

In addition to donation activities, Choo Shin-soo proposed various fan service plans for the 2024 season to the club. We plan to make final memories with a gift of an autographed worn-out uniform, a special autograph session, and support for Ama Baseball.

In addition, Choo Shin-soo will serve as team captain for the 2024 season. This is in accordance with the request of coach Lee Sung-yong, who took over the baton after the 2023 season.

The SSG club said, “Coach Shin-Soo Lee proposed Choo Shin-Soo as captain for next season, considering that he not only has abundant experience and leadership, but also has the respect of the players. Choo Shin-soo accepted this,” he introduced.

After graduating from Busan High School, Choo Shin-soo went straight to the United States by signing with the Seattle Mariners in 2001. He made his big league debut in Seattle in 2005, and has since had a brilliant career in the major leagues, playing for the Cleveland Indians (now Cleveland Guardians), Cincinnati Reds, and Texas Rangers. piled up

Choo Shin-soo established himself as a starting player in Cleveland in 2008, and has been a top outfielder in the league since 2009. He appeared in a total of 1,652 games over 16 seasons, batting average of 0.275, 218 home runs, 782 RBI, 961 runs, 157 stolen bases, 961 runs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.824.

He is the first Asian player to hit .300 -20 home runs -20 stolen bases (2009) and a cycling hit (2015), and has hit 20 home runs -20 stolen bases three times in his career (2009, 2010). Year 2013) achieved.

In 2018, he was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career, and holds the records for most home runs (218) and most RBIs (782) by an Asian batter.

After completing the 2013 season, Shin-Soo Choo qualified as a free agent and signed a seven-year contract with the Texas Rangers worth a total of $130 million. This is the largest Korean major league free agent contract ever.

Choo Shin-soo, who became a free agent after his seven-year contract with Texas expired at the end of the 2020 season, chose to go to the KBO league instead of remaining in the United States.

Choo Shin-soo, who was nominated by SSG's predecessor SK Wyverns in a special overseas nomination in 2007, signed a contract with SSG, which held his reserve rights, for an annual salary of 2.7 billion won in February 2021.

SSG, which acquired the SK baseball team in January 2021, attracted attention by welcoming a major star upon its founding.

Choo Shin-soo played in a total of 361 games during his three seasons at SSG, posting a batting average of 0.260, 49 home runs, 46 stolen bases, 226 runs, and an OPS of 0.819. Although he did not show his best skills, he showed off his outstanding vision and contact ability.

He also served as a dugout leader while providing technical and mental advice to his juniors. Opinions on improving the KBO League environment were also continuously expressed.

Choo Shin-soo, who had never been associated with a World Series championship while playing in the major leagues, relieved his resentment by contributing to SSG's combined championship last year. He enjoyed the thrill of winning in the 22nd year of his professional life.

Choo Shin-soo, who did not perform as expected this season with a batting average of 0.254, 12 home runs, 41 RBIs, 6 stolen bases, 65 points, and an OPS of 0.777, plans to focus on helping his juniors grow next season.

Choo Shin-soo emphasized, “Next year’s performance is important, but depending on the team situation, I want to contribute to the team by training with junior players on the Futures (second team) team at any time and sharing my experiences and thoughts.” 슬롯