'Ulsan-bound' Choi Ji-man makes serious statement: "Please refrain from mentioning draft order → Younger players are more important; it's not about money"

*This content was translated by AI.

Power hitter Choi Ji-man (35), who has hit 67 career home runs on the Major League Baseball (MLB) stage, officially became a member of Ulsan Whales through his signing ceremony. At a press conference held on the afternoon of the 27th, Choi shared his honest feelings about his return, future plans, and his current knee injury status. At the same time, he stated that he does not care about the draft order scheduled for September and expressed that he does not want to take away opportunities from younger players.

On the afternoon of the 27th, Choi Ji-man attended the signing ceremony held in the lounge inside Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium. Attendees included Kim Du-kyeong, Mayor of Ulsan; Kim Cheol-wook, Chairman of Ulsan Sports Council; Kim Dong-jin, General Manager of Ulsan Whales; and Jang Won-jin, Director.

Regarding the knee condition, which was the biggest concern of the day, Choi offered a cautious yet optimistic outlook. He explained that while he has successfully completed rehabilitation following surgery in 2021, he is approaching his recovery more carefully.

Choi stated, "It is true that I feel uneasy even if I play right away. Rushing could lead to a bigger accident, so I have set my return to actual competition for July. If I build up my body for about two more months, I believe I can show the same performance as before," expressing his confidence. He particularly emphasized that once his health is fully restored, his goal is to play full-time, including defensive duties, not just as a designated hitter.

Although he heard of direct and indirect interest from various teams in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) starting in 2025, he also revealed that showing his final performance to fans with a KBO League team was his ultimate life goal.

Choi emphasized, "It was never about money. The consideration shown by the Ulsan manager and general manager, who have been in steady contact since January, was decisive. I judged that it was right to join the team as soon as possible and help each other."

Choi Ji-man is scheduled to participate in the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft to be held in September. He said, "Honestly, I have no interest in the draft order. I am in a position with no signing bonus. In fact, the draft order should be a place where young student-players are rewarded for their efforts. Please consider the impact on younger players more than the order of a veteran like me," making a serious statement that drew attention.

Choi Ji-man's jersey number is 9. The number 9 embodies his baseball philosophy. Choi said, "This is the first time in my baseball career that I have worn a single-digit number. I want to remember that baseball is not played by one person alone, but by nine people running together," highlighting the importance of teamwork.

Finally, Choi told the team's young players, "I did not come to teach, but to learn," while humbling himself, and added, "If players have any questions, I am always ready to answer them wholeheartedly. I want to quickly blend into the team and experience Ulsan's baseball."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.