[Video] "I started playing baseball watching you, senior" A soccer boy who loved Ronaldo stands at the same rookie draft as his idol, Choi Ji-man, 10 years later

*This content was translated by AI.

Ten years ago, a boy who witnessed Choi Ji-man (35·Ulsan Whales) recording his first major league RBI in person fell in love with baseball. The soccer fan who once admired Cristiano Ronaldo (41·Al Nassr) has now become Park Geun-seo (18·Seoul Design High School), a left-handed pitcher for the Korean U-18 youth national team capable of throwing pitches at speeds up to 149 km/h and a first-round candidate in the KBO rookie draft.

The day that changed Park Geun-seo's life was July 18, 2016 (Korean time). Visiting the United States with his family, Park attended a regular season Major League Baseball (MLB) game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox. Choi Ji-man, who started at first base and batted fifth for the Angels that day, went 1-for-3 with one RBI, one stolen base, and one run scored as the Angels won 8-1.

It was also a special game for Choi Ji-man himself. He recorded his first MLB hit, first RBI, and first stolen base on that day. In an interview with StarNews in January this year, Park recalled, "I remember watching senior Choi Ji-man hit a clutch hit and lead the team to victory at the game I attended. The game was so exciting that it sparked my interest in baseball."

For the nine-year-old boy at the time, that day's memory did not end as a simple travel recollection. Originally fond of soccer, Park Geun-seo chose the path of a baseball player and, after nearly a decade, has grown into one of Korea's top left-handed pitchers.

After attending Baekma Elementary School and Hong-eon Middle School, Park enrolled in Seoul Design High School. This year, he emerged as a first-round candidate for the 2027 KBO rookie draft, leading with pitches reaching speeds up to 149 km/h. During the high school and university all-star game last June, he recorded four strikeouts over two innings and was named MVP, also earning a spot on the Korean U-18 youth national team. Recently, he has focused less on increasing pitch velocity and more on perfecting breaking balls such as curveballs and changeups.

And then, on the 27th at Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium, a special connection returned to Park Geun-seo, who had come for a practice game between the youth national team and the Ulsan Whales. There stood Choi Ji-man, the very person who had set Park's baseball journey in motion.

Before the game, Park expressed his excitement: "Other than seeing you from afar at a baseball field when I was in elementary school, I've never actually met you. If we happen to cross paths, I want to greet you and say, 'Thanks to you, senior, I started playing baseball and it turned out well for me. Thank you.'"

He continued, "I first started playing baseball because of senior Choi Ji-man. I was in elementary school when he played in the major leagues, and watching him made him my idol. He is truly a respected senior to me."

Hearing Park's story, Choi Ji-man also expressed delight at this unexpected connection. "This is such a pleasant experience," Choi said. "I haven't heard words like these often. I've always heard stories about seniors from those around me, but hearing someone say that about me makes me realize, 'Yes, I really worked hard.'"

Most importantly, he was happy to learn that the player who started playing baseball after watching him had grown to become a member of the youth national team. Choi remarked, "It's truly fortunate that the player has done so well and reached the youth national team. If I hadn't gone to the United States, perhaps that player wouldn't have started playing baseball at all. Such a coincidence is truly remarkable."

Especially upon learning that Park Geun-seo originally loved soccer and still considers Ronaldo his role model, Choi smiled and said, "In a way, it's like we've gained one promising baseball player by losing one star soccer player like Son Heung-min. I'm proud of that."

There is another reason why their connection is particularly special. In 2016, they were an elementary school student in the stands and a major leaguer, respectively. But ten years later, they are now on the verge of having their names called at the same KBO rookie draft. Choi Ji-man, preparing to join the KBO for the first time in 17 years, is set to participate in the 2027 KBO rookie draft on September 21. Park Geun-seo is also being mentioned as a first-round candidate in the same draft.

Park stated, "For me, simply being selected in the same draft as senior Choi Ji-man is an honor. Since he has already achieved so much, having our names listed together in the draft itself is particularly special."

In fact, Choi Ji-man expressed a wish for his junior to be called before him. "Not only Park Geun-seo but also the players on the national team are performing so well that I hope they get picked earlier than me. I truly hope that happens," he said with a smile.

In July 2016, a nine-year-old boy watching Choi Ji-man's first major league RBI from the stands picked up a baseball because of that game. Ten years later, he became a first-round candidate wearing the national emblem and throwing pitches at 149 km/h. And now, he has finally come face to face with the major leaguer who planted the dream in him on the same baseball field.

Now, there is one more special moment awaiting both of them: September 21, when their names will be called side by side at the same rookie draft.

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*This content was translated by AI.