SSG Choi Jeong, home run No. 468, a new record… Lee Seung-yeop surpasses record

‘Man of Record’ Choi Jeong (37, SSG Landers) finally did it. Choi Jeong-eun hit his 468th career home run in a game against the Lotte Giants held at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 24th, surpassing ‘national hitter’ Lee Seung-yeop (#467, current Doosan Bears coach) to become the record holder for the most home runs in the KBO League’s history. After joining the SK Wyverns, the predecessor of SSG Landers, in 2005, Choi Jeong-eun, who celebrated the 20th anniversary of his professional baseball debut, became the king of all-time home runs with his unique sincerity and consistency, setting a monumental record in the history of Korean baseball.

On this day, Choi Jeong started as the third baseman and batted third, and in the top of the fifth inning, with two outs and no runners, he stepped up to the plate and hit the first pitch thrown by Lotte starter Lee In-bok, hitting a one-run home run over the left wall. Lee In-bok’s slider thrown at 127 km/h flew 110 meters at 153.3 km/h and crossed the fence. This is his 10th home run this season and his 468th home run in his career.

◇The ‘man of record’ who overcame even an unfortunate injury

For Choi Jeong, who showed a consistent home run pace every year, it was only a matter of time before he achieved a record this season. Since the season opener on the 23rd of last month, he has hit two home runs two days in a row. In the home game against KIA on the 16th, in the bottom of the 9th inning when the team was down 3-4 with no runners on 2 outs, he hit a dramatic solo home run over the left field fence. It was his 9th home run of the season and his 467th career home run, tying Coach Lee Seung-yeop’s all-time personal home run record.

Bad luck struck just one step before the milestone. In the home game against KIA on the 17th, during the first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning, KIA starting pitcher Will Crowe threw a 150 km/h fast ball to his left ribs and collapsed. Immediately after the replacement, I was diagnosed at the hospital and was diagnosed with ‘rib microfracture’. There were concerns that he might be sidelined for more than a month ahead of his milestone due to lack of treatment options.

Fortunately, despite the misfortune, a detailed examination on the 18th revealed that it was not a microfracture but a simple bruise. He finally returned to the game today after being off for 4 games, and upon his return, he hit a historic home run, establishing himself as the ‘highest home run by an individual in KBO history.’ Among active players, KT Park Byeong-ho (38, 380), ranked 3rd as a competitor, is not likely to overtake Choi Jeong in terms of age or gap.

With this home run, Choi Jeong simultaneously set an unprecedented record of hitting double-digit home runs for 19 consecutive seasons. Choi Jeong hit one home run in 2005, his first year as a professional, but hit 12 home runs in the 2006 season when he became a starter, and has hit double-digit home runs in every season since. Retired Jang Jong-hoon (1988-2002) and Yang Jun-hyuk (1993-2007) are tied for second place with double-digit home runs for 15 consecutive seasons, so Jeong Choi’s ‘double-digit home runs for 19 consecutive seasons’ is a record that is untouchable for the time being. It is expected to be

Even though it is only the beginning of the season, Choi Jeong, who has already hit his 10th home run and is ranked first in the league in home runs, will record more than 20 home runs this year, along with KT’s Park Byeong-ho, who will also have the record of ’20 home runs for 9 consecutive seasons’.

◇ “I think I’ll hit it today…” SSG coach Lee Soong-yong’s prediction came true

Before the game that day, SSG coach Lee Soong-yong said, “I think Choi Jeong will hit a home run today,” and he was right. There was also a reason why Director Lee spoke out loud. Choi Jeong-eun, who started as a starter in the game held on the 23rd, hit a breaking ball thrown by Lotte starter Han Hyun-hee in her first at-bat and hit a double even though she was returning six days after an injury. Manager Lee said, “(Right after returning from injury), I saw him hit a breaking ball and make a hit, and I thought, ‘Choi Jeong is Choi Jeong, as expected.’” He praised him, saying, “He is a truly great hitter.”

Choi Jeong is not a ‘natural slugger’ but a ‘hard hitter who works hard’. For about five years after his debut, he was an all-rounder with great defensive skills. Since the 2006 season, he has hit over 10 home runs every year, but never topped 20 until 2010. Afterwards, he began to transform when he met manager Lee Man-soo, a former home run king. Since 2010, the number of home runs in a season has exceeded 20, and he won the home run title two times in a row with 40 in 2016 and 46 in 2017. It’s been 12 years since his debut. Afterwards, he continued to produce around 30 home runs every season.

Choi Jeong-eun, 36 years old, hit 29 home runs last year. SPOTV commentator Yang Sang-moon said, “Sluggers do not necessarily have a long life, and in fact, many players have a short life or prime time.” Choi Jeong said, “Because he needs strength and is always under pressure to hit long shots, he suddenly falls into a slump.” He said that his record is of extraordinary value. Commissioner Yang also said, “He didn’t have a big physique to begin with, but through efforts to increase his physique and adopt a batting style that takes long follow-throughs, he hit more home runs.” He added, “He has natural talent, but through hard work, he became a great home run hitter.”

Choi Jeong-eun is also the ‘King of the Dead Dunes.’ Over the past 20 years, he has hit balls against his body 330 times, which is the world’s record for most out-of-balls. Second place Park Seok-min (retired, 212) is also overwhelming. This is the result of opposing pitchers focusing on hitting the body, targeting the body’s weak point.

However, Choi Jeong did not feel intimidated and went to bat despite pain and injuries to her arms, waist, and shoulders. Commissioner Yang Sang-moon said, “The fact that Choi Jeong is still able to endure and perform so well despite being hit by so many balls that hit his body shows how much he has both technically and physically.” Director Lee Soong-yong said, “I should be grateful to my parents for giving me a good body, but more than anything, it is the result of me taking very good care of my body.”

Previously, after tying the personal home run record with Lee Seung-yeop, Choi Jeong-eun humbled himself by saying, “I am honored to tie the record of the truly great coach Lee Seung-yeop.” With this home run, he surpassed current Doosan Bears manager Lee Seung-yeop’s KBO personal home run of 467, but when including Japanese professional baseball records, manager Lee hit 626 home runs during his career.

However, the baseball world does not give up expectations, saying, “Choi Jeong will set more records.” The baseball world predicts that if Choi maintains his current steady pace, reaching 500 home runs in his KBO League career will not be too much for Choi Jeong.