* Translated by AI

Starnews

Once again, Choi Jeong sets another historic record! A golden monument for the first-ever 11 consecutive seasons with 20+ home runs and the youngest player to reach 1,000 extra-base hits [Incheon]

Updated:

Shin Hwasup

*This content was translated by AI.

On the 16th, a scoreboard at Incheon SSG Landers Field displayed Choi Jeong's record of 11 consecutive seasons with 20 or more home runs. /Photo=SSG Landers
On the 16th, a scoreboard at Incheon SSG Landers Field displayed Choi Jeong's record of 11 consecutive seasons with 20 or more home runs. /Photo=SSG Landers
SSG's Choi Jeong hits a two-run home run to left field off KIA's starting pitcher Oller in the bottom of the fifth inning on the 16th. /Photo=SSG Landers
SSG's Choi Jeong hits a two-run home run to left field off KIA's starting pitcher Oller in the bottom of the fifth inning on the 16th. /Photo=SSG Landers

SSG Landers' Choi Jeong (39) has erected two golden monuments at once.

On the 16th, Choi Jeong started as the designated hitter for the first game of the second half against KIA Tigers at Incheon SSG Landers Field. He hit a foul fly to first base in the bottom of the first inning and a sacrifice fly to center field in the bottom of the third. With his team leading 1-0, he launched a two-run home run to left field off starting pitcher Oller with one out and runners on second base in the bottom of the fifth. Counting 3-2, he connected with the sixth pitch—a 135 km/h slider—and sent it soaring 130 meters in a massive arc.

Choi Jeong (center) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against KIA on the 16th in the bottom of the fifth inning. /Photo=Senior reporter Kang Young-jo
Choi Jeong (center) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against KIA on the 16th in the bottom of the fifth inning. /Photo=Senior reporter Kang Young-jo
Choi Jeong completes his record of 11 consecutive seasons with 20+ home runs during the game against KIA on the 16th, in the bottom of the fifth inning. /Photo=SSG Landers
Choi Jeong completes his record of 11 consecutive seasons with 20+ home runs during the game against KIA on the 16th, in the bottom of the fifth inning. /Photo=SSG Landers

With this achievement, Choi Jeong has become the first player in KBO League history to hit 20 or more home runs for 11 consecutive seasons. After reaching 10 consecutive seasons with 20+ home runs from 2016 through last year, he extended his own record by one additional season. Following Choi Jeong are Park Byung-ho with 9 consecutive seasons (2012–2022, excluding 2016–2017 when he played overseas) and Lee Seung-yeop with 8 consecutive seasons (1997–2012, excluding 2004–2011 when he played overseas).

Additionally, Choi Jeong achieved the second-ever 1,000 extra-base hits in league history with this home run. Since his debut in 2005, he has recorded 538 home runs, 450 doubles, and 12 triples. The first to reach this milestone was Choi Hyung-woo of Samsung on May 31 this year against Doosan at Daegu. At the time, Choi Hyung-woo was 42 years, 5 months, and 15 days old, while Choi Jeong set the record as the youngest at 39 years, 4 months, and 18 days.

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*This content was translated by AI.

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