SSG Landers owner and development general manager Choo Shin-soo advised Korean players to play baseball with a more urgent mindset.

Choo visited the practice game between the SSG Landers and Hanwha Eagles held at the Kochinda Stadium in Okinawa, Japan, on the 27th, offering advice to players while watching the game.

Choo Shin-soo, who recorded a .275 batting average over 1,652 Major League games (6,087 at-bats, 1,671 hits), 218 home runs, 782 RBIs, 961 runs, 157 stolen bases, an OPS of .824, and a .263 batting average over 439 KBO League games (1,505 at-bats, 396 hits), 54 home runs, 205 RBIs, 266 runs, 51 stolen bases, and an OPS of .812, announced his retirement from active duty after last season. He is now starting his second life in the front office and contributing to SSG as it sets a new direction.

Choo is supporting players at the second camp in Okinawa after visiting the first camp in Florida and the Kagoshima Futures Camp in Japan. In an interview on the 27th, he noted, "Now that there is no burden regarding performance, I feel like I am approaching them more like a parent than like a senior player as I did before," reflecting on his first spring training as a front office member.

Before the game, after throwing batting practice to the players, Choo joked, "I had two elbow surgeries trying to play in the outfield, but I’m actually only throwing batting practice and not playing in the outfield." He emphasized, "As I said upon retirement, I am truly satisfied and happy with the baseball life I have led so far. Now, I have a growing passion in a different area, not as a player. In a way, it’s like I went abroad to study, so I want to combine what I’ve learned with our players and what suits Korea and bring it to our team."

"I don't discuss technical aspects much because there are coaches for each part," Choo stressed. "I focus more on the mental and psychological aspects. My role is to help prepare them to accept the good techniques when the coaches teach them."

During the offseason and spring training, Choo has been visiting various camps to meet with players and said, "Once the season starts, I will attend first-team games, but I will also go to second and third team games. The third-team players are somewhat isolated, and I believe we need to check their psychological state. What they need most is attention. We must show them that we haven’t given up on them. I will likely also go watch amateur games soon. Since I am in charge of development, I plan to advance many tasks in that direction."

SSG hopes Choo, who has a personal network in the U.S. from his 16 seasons in Major League Baseball, will use it for the team. Choo also mentioned, "I plan to go to the U.S. at least once a month to watch games and have meals with contacts I know, trying to learn about team management and their direction. I want to know how teams like the Dodgers operate, how teams like Tampa Bay do things, and how Oakland does it. My goal is to compile that information to create a system that fits our Korean sentiment."

After a long career in the minor leagues, Choo noted, "Don’t be under the illusion that I will be wearing this uniform tomorrow just because I am wearing it today. In the minor leagues, players are quickly sorted out. Many players are eager to play. If someone complains about an injury, they don’t say to play; they tell you not to play. There are many other players, meaning it’s really scary. Conversely, it appears that the team is asking the players to play at least once. Players should appreciate and feel honored to wear this uniform. That might be what Korean professional baseball players need most," emphasizing the professional consciousness of players.

"Like our slogan 'a baseball team like no other in the world,' my goal is to create a special team in Korea," Choo declared. "It will definitely take time, so it won't be revealed immediately. Changing something is difficult, and it may seem like no one recognizes it. Regardless, if the end result is good, it’s worthwhile whether it takes 3 years or 5 years for the process. Therefore, I want to change it to a healthier team in a slightly different way."

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