In this April 2, 2024, file photo provided by the SSG Landers, Choi Jeong of the Landers hits a solo home run against the Doosan Bears during a Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Incheon SSG Landers Field in Incheon, west of Seoul. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Apr. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — After a two-homer day this weekend, SSG Landers slugger Choi Jeong enters the new week on the verge of breaking the all-time home run record in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
Choi blasted two long balls against the KT Wiz in an 8-1 victory on Sunday at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, just south of Seoul. With a league-leading eight homers this year, Choi now has 466 home runs for his career, two away from breaking the career record held by former Samsung Lions star Lee Seung-yuop, currently manager of the Doosan Bears.
Choi will have a chance to become the new home run king at home this week, as the Landers will have a six-game homestand at Incheon SSG Landers Field in Incheon, about 30 kilometers west of Seoul.
From Tuesday to Thursday, the Landers will host the KBO-leading Kia Tigers. Then from Friday to Sunday, the LG Twins will visit the Landers.
Choi, 37, is playing in his 20th KBO season. He said before the start of this campaign that he wanted to get the record out of the way as early as possible, knowing his chase of Lee’s mark would be a distraction.
A model of consistency, Choi reached double figures in home runs every year from 2006 to 2023, and will almost certainly keep that streak alive this season. He also launched at least 20 homers in each of the past eight years, a run that will also likely be extended in 2024. And with eight homers in just 18 games this year, Choi has not shown any signs of slowing down in his late 30s.
Choi told reporters Sunday he is trying his best not to get caught up in home run numbers.
“It’s hard not to be conscious of the record. But when I am in the box, I try to just get a base hit, rather than hit a home run,” Choi said. “Before the season, I said I wanted to break the record as quickly as possible. And I’ve reached this point earlier than I’d expected. I am feeling a bit nervous, but I will try to stay calm and maintain this pace.”
Choi and Lee are the only two players in KBO history with more than 400 home runs. Trailing Choi on the list is Wiz slugger Park Byung-ho with 380.
(Yonhap)
