Former MLB All-Star Shin-Soo Choo will make KBO debut at 38, aims for Olympic roster spot

Shin-Soo Choo is reportedly going back to his native Korea after playing in the United States from 2001 to 2020. He is expected to sign a contract with the SK Wyverns and make his debut in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) at the age of 38.

The left-handed slugger made an impact at the WBSC (IBAF) U-18 Baseball World Cup 2000, starring for gold medal winning Korea. He was voted the U-18 World Cup MVP and earned best pitcher honours, signing shortly after with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB), landing a US$ 1.35 million signing bonus.

The Mariners converted him into an outfielder and Choo made his pro debut in 2001. He played at various level in the Mariners Farm System. After going double digits with home runs at the Triple-A level, he was promoted to the MLB club in 2005.

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The Mariners traded Choo to the Cleveland Indians in 2006. He was traded again to the Cincinnati Reds after the 2012 season and to the Texas Rangers after the 2013 season.

While playing for the Rangers, Choo was named to the MLB All-Star Game 2018 and had his best season in 2019, hitting 24 home runs and stealing 15 bases.

Choo expressed his interest in representing his country at the Tokyo Olympics. Korea, the defending gold medallists (2008), earned a place in the Tokyo Olympic baseball event via the 2019 WBSC Premier12.

Choo last played for the Korean National Team at the Asian Games in 2010, helping his team to win the gold medal. He was instrumental in Korea's World Baseball Classic silver medal campaign in 2009.