Choo Shin-soo (41, SSG Landers) announced his position on the composition of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) baseball team. He expressed his regret about the generational change and his convictions regarding the unselected Ahn Woo-jin (24, Kiwoom Heroes).
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) held a press conference at the Baseball Hall located in Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul at 4:00 pm on the 4th and announced the final list of the 30-member WBC baseball team.
The final entry consisted of 15 pitchers, 5 outfielders, 8 infielders and 2 catchers. The 15 pitchers were Woo-seok Ko, Woo-young Jung, Young-pyo Ko, So-jun So, Yong-chan Lee, Tae-in Won, Won-joong Kim, Se-woong Park, Bin Kwak, Cheol-won Jeong, Gwang-hyeon Kim, Yun-sik Kim, Hyeon-jong Yang, Eui-ri Lee, and Chang-mo Koo. ‘2022 season’s best pitcher’ Ahn Woo-jin was not on the list.
Ahn Woo-jin is the pitcher of the 2022 season. He appeared in 30 games and went 15-8 with a 2.11 earned run average and 224 strikeouts in 196 innings, ranking first in innings, second in wins, first in earned run average, and first in strikeouts. He received the Golden Glove in the pitching category, and he stood tall as the best pitcher in the KBO League in name and reality.
However, Ahn Woo-jin had the label of ‘school violence’. While attending Whimoon High School, Ahn Woo-jin was disqualified from the national team due to school violence discipline, so he cannot participate in the national team organized by KBSA (Korea Baseball Softball Association), such as the Olympics and Asian Games. He can participate in the WBC, which is dominated by the KBO, but as Lee Kang-cheol, he could not help but be conscious of public opinion, and An Woo-jin could not board Lee Kang-cheol.
On the 21st, Choo Shin-soo appeared on ‘DKNET’, a Korean radio station in the Dallas area, and expressed his regret about entering the WBC national baseball team. He stressed the importance of generational change. And he mentioned An Woo-jin.
Choo Shin-soo said, “There is an article that there is another Kim Gwang-hyun (in the entry) in Japan. There are many young players and talented players. If (young players) participate in international competitions, their mindset (towards baseball) will change.” . 스포츠토토
He added, “Moon Dong-joo’s control is lacking, but there is no other player who throws that much. The same goes for An Woo-jin.”
Choo Shin-soo opened his mouth about An Woo-jin’s school violence controversy in earnest. Choo Shin-soo said, “I definitely did the wrong thing, and it’s very unfortunate to see it as a third person. In a way, he is a player with the talent to go abroad and become the second best player next to Park Chan-ho.”
“I’m playing baseball in Korea, but there are so many things I don’t understand. I don’t think it’s easy to forgive in Korea. (Ahn Woo-jin) repented of his mistakes, was punished, and was suspended. (But) I can’t go to international competitions.” He expressed his regret about An Woo-jin’s failure to join the WBC national team.
Finally, Choo Shin-soo said, “If there is a player who is going through such an irrational thing, I think seniors should step up. It’s a pity,” he said with his conviction.