*This content was translated by AI.
"I kept receiving calls from Japan and Taiwan, and they contacted me whenever I wavered."
The destination of 'power hitter' Choi Ji-man (35), who had been active in Major League Baseball (MLB), was not Japan or Taiwan, but Ulsan Whales, a team in the Futures League (second division). Although he could have remained a free agent to prepare for the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft scheduled for September, his desire to play in Korean baseball was so strong.
Choi Ji-man attended the official signing ceremony for Ulsan Whales held at Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium on the afternoon of the 27th. This was exactly four days after the official announcement of his signing on the 23rd. Choi Ji-man, wearing a jersey with the number 9, wore a calm yet resolute expression.
Choi Ji-man is about to return to the domestic stage. With all military service issues resolved, it is highly likely he will play in the KBO League starting from the 2027 season after going through the draft. Although there were lingering concerns about his health after he was discharged early from military service as a social service personnel just three months after enlisting due to a knee injury, the consensus is that the draft selection itself is virtually certain.
Park Yong-taek (47), a commentator who visited Ulsan to broadcast the Futures League game that day, also asked Choi Ji-man a witty question. When Choi Ji-man, who had briefly participated as a guest commentator, was asked by Park, "Did you save a lot of money? I am also working so hard as a commentator because of money," he expressed surprise at such an unconventional move.
Choi Ji-man explained this directly. He said, "It is true that I kept receiving calls from overseas, including Japan and Taiwan, and I did waver. However, my final goal in my baseball career is to perform in front of Korean fans as a member of a Korean professional baseball team. In fact, Ulsan always contacted me whenever I wavered. I thought it was right to receive help and also provide the help I can give."
Given that Choi Ji-man is likely to be drafted, some interpretations suggest there was no need for him to take on risks. However, regarding such criticism, Choi Ji-man stated, "Ultimately, I will be playing baseball in Korea starting from 2027, and in fact, it has already been 15 years since I spent a summer in Korea. I wanted to experience the hot summer life in Korea beforehand. Above all, Manager (Jang Won-jin) courted me so much."
Although Choi Ji-man did not mention it that day, his remarks also reflected his desire to get used to Korea's ABS (Automatic Pitch Call System) in advance. Although ABS was implemented in the minor leagues during the 2024 season, the last season Choi Ji-man played as a player, it was not a full-scale ABS like the KBO League.
Ultimately, Choi Ji-man's focus is on the 2027 KBO League. His decision to choose 'courtesy to Korean baseball' and 'complete adaptation to the KBO League' over financial gain has already drawn the attention of the baseball world, as to what kind of impact it will bring to the September draft and, further, the 2027 KBO League season.
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*This content was translated by AI.
