Shin-soo Choo expressed his feelings ahead of throwing the ceremonial first pitch in MLB.
Recently, a video titled "[U.S. edition] I'll show you around the major league stadiums thoroughly" was posted on the "Ha Won-mi" YouTube channel.
In the video, Choo, about to throw the first pitch, said "I'm more nervous than when I go to play baseball," held Ha Won-mi's hand tightly and moved. When asked how he came to throw the first pitch, he opened up, "I visit the Texas stadium from time to time. I go to watch games, and there are still many friends I keep in touch with there, so I go occasionally."
He continued, "(One day) I met the Texas owner at the ballpark. After talking about various things, he asked, 'Do you want to do a Choo first pitch?' At the time I thought it was just a passing remark, but then they really contacted me, and it was exactly the team I used to play for when I was with Cleveland."
The production team asked, "Is it common for players to throw the first pitch in MLB?" Choo said, "Not just anyone can do it. Still, I think it has to be players who would remain in the memories of that team's people to some extent," and added, "When retired players came to throw the first pitch during my active career, they were all players that anyone would recognize by name."
Choo, saying it was his first time throwing a first pitch, honestly shared, "It's certainly not a big deal, since you always throw the ball. But because it's the ceremonial first pitch, I'm a bit nervous."
Meanwhile, on Aug. 23 last year, a 2025 Major League Baseball game between the Texas and the Cleveland Guardians took place. Choo, who served as the first ceremonial pitcher, drew attention by visiting the home stadium for the first time in five years after leaving Texas at the end of 2020.
[Photo] "Ha Won-mi"
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