(Daegu = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Dae-ho = "I have never given myself 100 points before, but this year I think it would be okay to give me 100 points. At this age, I even played defense in the fall baseball game. Please write a strong article so that I can get at least an extra bonus."
Choi Hyeong-woo (43), who returned to his former professional baseball team, the Samsung Lions, for the first time in 10 years and completed the mission of winning the Korean Series, happily enjoyed the victory.
Choi Hyung-woo started as the 5th hitter and left fielder in Game 5 of the Korean Series against KT Wiz held at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on the 8th, and played an active role with 2 hits and 1 RBI in 3 at-bats, contributing to a 12-1 victory.
His Korean Series performance is 0.357 batting average (5 hits in 14 at-bats) and 2 RBI in 5 games.
Samsung regained the top spot with a series record of 4 wins and 1 loss, regaining the Korean Series crown for the first time in 12 years since 2014.
Choi Hyung-woo, who played a leading role in Samsung's 4-game winning streak during the dynasty from 2011 to 2014 and then reached the top twice with the KIA Tigers (2017 and 2024), received his 7th Korean Series championship ring in his career.
Even for a veteran who has experienced numerous championships, this victory came across differently.
After the victory ceremony, Choi Hyeong-woo reflected, "It was our first win at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, and everyone expected us to lose during the playoffs with KIA and the Korean Series with KT."
He continued, "More than anything, the players were in a lot of pain. Finisher (Kim) Jaeyoon left and it felt like only 5 of the 9 starting players were fighting in good health. To be honest, I thought it wouldn't be easy to win, but I overcame all the adverse conditions and came out on top, which was a truly touching win."
He cited Game 2, which he won 3-2 at the end of the 12th inning, as the moment when he had a premonition of victory.
He explained, “I thought the opponent would lose their energy after winning the muddy battle in Game 2,” and “In today’s Game 5, the opponent’s starting pitcher (Davidson Daniel) was a very good pitcher, so even if we won, I honestly thought we would go all the way to Suwon, but after coming back from behind in the third inning, I was so focused at the plate that my knees touched the ground with the thought of ending it today.”
Even though he was well past his age, Choi Hyung-woo stayed in the outfield wearing a left fielder's glove throughout the postseason, except for the first game of the playoffs.
This is the result of captain Koo Ja-wook, who suffered a thigh injury at the end of the regular season, willingly shouldering the burden of defense so that he could serve as the designated hitter.
Choi Hyeong-woo joked, "I continued to play defense in the fall baseball season, which I didn't play during the regular season, and my pelvis, waist, and neck all hurt so much that I was on the verge of collapsing. Starting tomorrow, I will have to go to a rehabilitation center and receive treatment for a month."
He laughed and said, “(Gu) Ja-wook, who said he had a sore leg earlier, played so well all the way to third base that I said to him in the dugout, ‘If this is going to happen, you should go on defense. He seems to be playing better than me.’ But thanks to my defense, Ja-wook took his place as the designated hitter and even received the series MVP, so I’m thankful to Coach Park Jin-man. Fortunately, I didn’t get hit by a difficult hit while I was watching defense, so I got through it safely.”
He also kept his promise to give his close younger brother, Kang Min-ho, his first championship ring in his 23rd year as a professional.
Choi Hyung-woo said, "I promised Minho that I would give him a championship ring, and I am proud that I was able to keep it, and Minho also said he was grateful." He said, "I laughed a lot when I heard that the day before yesterday, (Yang) Eui-ji (Doosan Bears) contacted Minho and reassured him, saying, 'There is a golden pig (Choi Hyung-woo) on that team, don't worry.'"
‘Golden Pig’ Choi Hyeong-woo, who completed his mission, now dreams of a free November.
He smiled brightly, saying, “I will drink and enjoy as much as I want today, and start rehabilitation starting tomorrow.”
