Shin-Soo Choo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shin-Soo Choo
Choo with the Texas Rangers in 2017
Outfielder
Born: (1982-07-13) July 13, 1982 (age 43) Busan, South Korea
Batted: Left Threw: Left
Professional debut
MLB: April 21, 2005, for the Seattle Mariners
KBO: April 4, 2021, for the SSG Landers
Last appearance
MLB: September 27, 2020, for the Texas Rangers
KBO: October 1, 2024, for the SSG Landers
MLB statistics
Batting average	.275
Home runs	218
Runs batted in	782
KBO statistics
Batting average	.263
Home runs	54
Runs batted in	205
Teams
Seattle Mariners (2005–2006) Cleveland Indians (2006–2012) Cincinnati Reds (2013) Texas Rangers (2014–2020) SSG Landers (2021–2024)
Career highlights and awards
MLB All-Star (2018) Korean Series champion (2022)
Medals Men's baseball Representing KOR World Baseball Classic Silver 2009 Los Angeles Team Asian Games Gold 2010 Guangzhou Team

Shin-Soo Choo (Hangul: 추신수; Hanja: 秋信守; born July 13, 1982) is a South Korean former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. These included the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, and Texas Rangers. He finished his career in the KBO League with the SSG Landers.

Choo was once the record holder for most career home runs by an Asian-born player in MLB. He hit 218 home runs during his time in the league. This record was later broken by Shohei Ohtani.

As a young player, Choo was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Pitcher at the World Junior Baseball Championship. This was when South Korea won the event. After this, he signed a big contract with the Mariners and became an outfielder. With the Cleveland Indians, he had two seasons where he hit 20 home runs and stole 20 bases. This is a special achievement in baseball.

Before the 2014 season, Choo signed a large contract with the Texas Rangers. In 2015, he made history by becoming the first Asian-born player to hit for the cycle in MLB. This means he hit a single, double, triple, and home run all in one game. In 2018, Choo was chosen for his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He also reached base safely in 52 games in a row that season. This was the longest streak in Texas Rangers history. Choo returned to South Korea in 2021 to play in the KBO League. He retired at the end of the 2024 KBO League season.

Playing Baseball Professionally

Starting with the Seattle Mariners

On August 14, 2000, the Seattle Mariners signed Choo to a contract. He received a large signing bonus. He was first listed as both an outfielder and a left-handed pitcher. The Mariners thought Choo was the best young player they had seen in Asia. They planned for him to play in center field.

Choo started his professional career in 2001 with the AZL Mariners. He batted .302 with four home runs. He also had 35 RBI in 51 games. He led his team in stolen bases and walks. His good play led to a promotion to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

In 2002, Choo played most of the season with Wisconsin. He batted .302 with six home runs and 34 stolen bases. He was later promoted to the San Bernardino Stampede. After the season, the Mariners named Choo the Most Valuable Player for Single-A Wisconsin.

Choo spent 2003 with the Inland Empire 66ers. He batted .286 with nine home runs. He helped his team win a championship.

In 2004, Choo played for the San Antonio Missions. He had his best minor league season. He batted .315 with 15 home runs and 40 stolen bases. He was named Seattle's Minor League Player of the Year.

Choo started 2005 with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. He was called up to the major leagues for the first time on April 20. He made his MLB debut on April 21. On May 3, he got his first career hit and RBI. He was sent back to Tacoma but recalled in September.

In the first half of 2006, Choo played for Tacoma again. He batted .323 with 13 home runs. On July 3, he was called up by the Mariners. He played in 17 games for Seattle.

Time with the Cleveland Indians

On July 26, 2006, Choo was traded to the Cleveland Indians. He made his debut with the Indians two days later. He hit his first major league home run against his old team, the Mariners. In 45 games with the Indians, he batted .295.

Choo spent some time in 2007 with the Buffalo Bisons, a Triple-A team. He was called up to the Indians in April. Choo missed several months of the 2007 season due to an injury. He had surgery on his left elbow in September 2007.

Choo started the 2008 season on the disabled list. He was recovering from his surgery. He joined the Indians on May 31. He finished the season with a .309 batting average and 14 home runs. His hits and RBI totals were new records for a South Korean-born player in MLB. He was named the American League Player of the Month for September.

In 2009, Choo signed a one-year contract with the Indians. He broke his own records for home runs and RBI. On July 3, he hit two home runs and had seven RBI in one game. On October 3, Choo hit his 20th home run of the season. This made him a member of the "20-20 club" (20 home runs and 20 stolen bases). He was the first Asian player to do this in the Major Leagues. He finished the season batting .300 with 20 home runs and 21 stolen bases.

On September 17, 2010, Choo hit three home runs in a game against the Kansas City Royals. He almost achieved a "home run cycle" (a solo, two-run, three-run, and grand slam in one game). On September 19, 2010, Choo joined the 20-20 club for the second year in a row. He finished the season batting .300 with 22 home runs and 22 stolen bases.

In 2011, Choo agreed to a one-year contract. He finished the season with eight home runs and a .259 batting average. On June 24, Choo was hit by a pitch on his left thumb. This injury kept him out for six weeks. On August 23, he hit his first walk-off home run. This gave the Indians a 7–5 win. His season ended early in September due to another injury.

Choo signs autographs for fans prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Rays

On April 14, 2012, Choo was hit by a pitch on his right knee. He finished the game and won it for the Indians with a two-run double. Choo had a mild hamstring strain in April but returned in May. On May 24, he hit his first career lead-off home run. He ended the season batting .283 with 16 home runs and 21 stolen bases.

Playing for the Cincinnati Reds

Choo with the Cincinnati Reds in 2013

On December 11, 2012, Choo was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. This was a big trade involving three teams and nine players. On February 11, 2013, Choo signed a one-year contract with the Reds.

On May 8, 2013, Choo hit a walk-off home run against the Atlanta Braves. This was his second walk-off home run in MLB. On August 27, he hit his 100th career home run. On September 9, 2013, Choo set a Reds team record for being hit by pitches in a season. For the season, he batted .285 with 21 home runs and 20 stolen bases. This was his third "20–20" season. He also led the major leagues in being hit by pitches (26).

On October 1, 2013, Choo hit a home run in the 2013 National League Wild Card Game. He was the first South Korean batter to hit a home run in the Major League Baseball postseason.

Time with the Texas Rangers

On December 21, 2013, Choo agreed to a seven-year contract with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers officially welcomed him on December 27. In his first season with the team, he dealt with ankle injuries. He played in only 123 games and had a tough season. This was a challenge for the Rangers, who had hoped he would help them win.

On July 21, 2015, Choo hit for the cycle against the Colorado Rockies. He became the ninth player in Rangers history to do this. He was also the first Asian player in MLB to achieve this feat. He improved a lot in 2015 compared to his injured 2014 season. He batted .276 with 22 home runs and 82 RBI.

In a playoff game in 2015, Choo was involved in a strange play. A throw from the catcher hit his bat, leading to a run for the other team. Since he was in the batter's box, it was ruled that he did not interfere. The Rangers lost that game and the series.

In 2016, Choo had several injuries. He was placed on the disabled list four times that season. He missed a lot of games. He played in only 42 games, batting .242 with seven home runs.

Choo stayed healthy in 2017. He finished the season batting .261 with 22 home runs and 78 RBI.

Choo with the Texas Rangers in 2018

On May 26, 2018, Choo hit a walk-off home run. With 176 career home runs, he passed Hideki Matsui for the most by an Asian-born player. Choo was named to his first All-Star Game in July. He also set a club record by reaching base in 52 games in a row. This was the longest single-season streak in Rangers history. He ended the year batting .264 with 21 home runs. After the season, he was named the 2018 Texas Rangers Player of the Year.

On April 4, 2019, Choo got his 1,500th career major league hit. In 2019, he hit a career-high 24 home runs. He played in 151 games. After the 2019 season, Choo had shoulder surgery.

During the 2020 season, which was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Choo played in 33 games. He hit five home runs.

Returning to SSG Landers

On February 21, 2021, Choo signed a one-year contract with the SSG Landers in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). He played in 136 games for the team in 2021. He batted .263 with 21 home runs. On November 16, 2021, Choo re-signed with the Landers for another year.

On December 14, 2023, Choo announced that he would retire after the 2024 KBO season. He played his final professional game on October 1, 2024.

World Baseball Classic

Choo was part of the 2009 World Baseball Classic South Korean team. He helped South Korea win against Venezuela with a three-run home run. He also hit a solo home run in the finals against Japan. South Korea lost to Japan in that game.

Personal Life

Choo is married to Won-mi Ha. They have two sons and one daughter. When Choo was playing in the minor leagues, he earned very little money. He sometimes skipped meals to save money for his son's diapers. Choo's uncle, Park Jeong-Tae, was also a baseball player. Choo has been close friends with Lee Dae-Ho, another baseball player, since elementary school.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Choo showed great generosity. He donated money to all 190 players in the Texas Rangers’ minor league system. These players were unable to work because of the baseball shutdown. He also donated a large sum of money to help the city of Daegu in Korea. This city was hit hard by the pandemic.

Walk Up Songs

• Gangnam Style – Psy (April 2014)
• International Love – Pitbull (April 2014)
• Turn Down for What – DJ Snake & Lil Jon (April 2014)
• Regulate – Warren G (June 2016)
• Despacito – Remix by Luis Fonsi (July 2017)
• Fire – BTS (April 2018)

See also

• List of Major League Baseball players who hit for the cycle