On the 21st (Korean time), Choo Shin-soo appeared on ‘DKNET’, a Korean radio station in Dallas, Texas, USA, and talked about the WBC Korean team to be held in March.
Korea was placed in Group B at the WBC. They compete against Japan, Australia, the Czech Republic and China for a quarterfinal tournament. Japan, with a large number of major league players participating, including Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Yu Darvish (San Diego), Seiya Suzuki (Cubs), Masataka Yoshida (Boston), and Lars Nuthba (St. The overall prediction is that they will make it to the strong tournament.
Choo Shin-soo, who said, “In the case of Japan, there are many new faces in international competitions,” adding, “We have many veterans, including Kim Hyun-soo (LG). Of course, it becomes a skill to go out. However, I think I would have looked at the future rather than the current results. Until when are Kim Gwang-hyeon (SSG) and Yang Hyeon-jong (KIA)? There is an article saying that there is another Kim Gwang-hyun in Japan.” 메이저사이트
Choo Shin-soo, who reiterated that “veteran players are not without skills,” said, “But from my experience, there are many good young players. Why can’t those players When you participate in international competitions such as the WBC from a young age, the feelings and mind itself change. For example, Moon Dong-ju (Hanwha) is said to be lacking in control, but he doesn’t have that much pitching ability. The same goes for Ahn Woo-jin (Kiwoom). It is also what Korean baseball should do to create opportunities for such players to compete in international competitions.”
It is true that veterans such as Kim Hyun-soo, Kim Gwang-hyun, Yang Hyeon-jong, Choi Jeong (SSG), Yang Eui-ji (Doosan), Lee Yong-chan (NC), Park Hae-min (LG), Na Seong-beom (KIA), and Lee Ji-young (Kiwoom) were selected. However, it is also true that it is not easy for the KBO to give up the results in this tournament and only look to the future.
Korea suffered a slump in not passing the first round in the last two tournaments in a row. In the 2013 WBC, Taiwan and the Netherlands failed to advance to the second round in the first round held in Taichung, Taiwan.
In 2017, the first round was held at the home ground Gocheok Dome in Seoul, but it shocked baseball fans as it failed to advance to the second round after losing to Israel and the Netherlands.
It’s not WBC, but during the 2019 Premier 19 tournament, it was a shock defeat to Taiwan in Chiba.
The last time Korea passed the first round was at the 2009 WBC, where they finished runner-up. This was 14 years ago. For the Korean national team, being eliminated in the first round of this tournament, which will be held in six years, is the worst scenario that I do not want to imagine. Moreover, the match between Korea and Japan took place in this tournament for the first time in 14 years. The last match between Korea and Japan at the WBC was also the last in 2009. At that time, Japan defeated Korea and won the championship.
It is unacceptable for the Korean national team to show lethargy against their fateful rival, Japan. From Korea’s point of view, it is important to aim for victory without giving up until the end even if you are behind in objective power.
As Choo Shin-soo pointed out, it is obviously important from a long-term perspective to have young players gain experience on the international stage for a generational change. However, there is a realistic concern that the KBO, which formed the national team, should produce some results. Fans are highly anticipating whether coach Lee Kang-cheol, who leads the national team, will be able to strike a good balance between generational change and achievements.