35-year-old rookie sets goal of '.600 batting average, 80 home runs, and 200 RBIs'... There was a reason he was loved in the MLB: KT rookie Choi Ji-min's cheerful first greeting

*This content was translated by AI.

"I have goals. I want to hit a .600 batting average, hit about 80 home runs, and drive in 200 runs."

A string of numbers rarely seen in reality came out one after another. Laughter immediately broke out among those around him. KT Wiz second-round rookie Choi Ji-min (35) erased the awkwardness between his new teammates and the press with his signature witty banter.

This is not a first for him. During his time playing for seven teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), Choi was highly regarded not only for his bat but also as a player who lifted the mood in the clubhouse. This year, with the Ulsan Whales, he quickly got along with younger players and served as a mood-maker.

That same demeanor was evident at KT's 'Rookie Day' held at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 4th. Choi was selected by KT with the 15th overall pick in the second round of the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft on the 21st of last month. It had been 17 years since he graduated from Dongsan High School and joined the Seattle Mariners as an international amateur free agent in 2009, heading directly to the United States.

After a long stint in the minor leagues, he made his big league debut with the LA Angels in 2016 and went on to play for seven teams: the New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets. In 525 career MLB games, he recorded 67 home runs and 238 RBIs. In 2020 with Tampa Bay, he became the first Korean position player to start a World Series game.

After going around in circles, he knocked on the door of the KBO League for the first time in 17 years. Even for such a veteran, 'Rookie Day' was a new experience. Choi said, "When I went to the US, I only had an induction ceremony and had never received something like this," adding, "Honestly, at first I thought, 'Am I really supposed to be here? Shouldn't the focus be more on the younger players?'"

The 35-year-old rookie has consistently shown consideration for younger players since early this year. When he joined the Ulsan Whales, he felt burdened by excessive attention focused on his draft pick number and emphasized that it was a more important opportunity for young players. When he met with StarNews in August last month, he spoke about the sense of responsibility that if he performed well, juniors returning from the US in the future could be properly evaluated.

However, when he directly heard the cheers of Suwon home fans, his feelings changed. Choi smiled and said, "There are so many fans, which is wonderful. Players perform better when there are many fans. This kind of cheering is a bit unfamiliar to me. I felt good thinking that if I quickly enter the first division next year and become a good player, I will be able to receive this kind of cheering."

He was already prepared to blend into the atmosphere at KT as well. He had already been in contact with existing players such as Kim Hyun-soo (38) and Heo Kyung-min (36), and the seniors he met for the first time that day welcomed him warmly. Choi said, "I do worry a little that juniors might find it difficult," but added, "When I greeted everyone, the atmosphere was all good. I also greeted (Kim) Hyun-soo hyung, and I was grateful that (Oh) Gyu-min hyung welcomed me warmly. (Jang) Sung-woo hyung also congratulated me, which was wonderful."

Perhaps what KT expects from Choi is not just home runs. Through his experience with various teams in the MLB, Choi learned how to blend into new clubhouses. When he met with StarNews in August last month, he emphasized that while "I think I need to provide a lot of support as a senior," "it is important to fit well into the team."

Two months have passed since those thoughts, but there has been no change. Choi smiled and said, "I am glad to be at KT. I get along well with the seniors, and conversely, if I can lead the juniors well so that the team's good performance this year continues next year, that would be great. Wouldn't it be nice if that could be called my effect? I have that goal and want to do well with the juniors."

When asked about his role model, he once again lightened the mood. Choi joked, "It is Manager Lee Kang-cheol. This is how you should flatter someone," but immediately became serious, saying, "I originally didn't have a specific role model. I was the type to watch why this player does well and why that player does well, and take in good parts one by one."

The answer given when asked about his goals for next year was exactly '.600 batting average, 80 home runs, and 200 RBIs.' The joke ended there. Choi said, "First of all, not getting injured is the most important thing. Since I was in the US, I have always thought that you can only play games and produce results if you are not injured." He added, "The team may want power hitting from me, but if I think about it too much, it might actually not come out. If I play baseball the way I envision it, good results will probably follow."

When the topic of junior Ahn Hyun-min's (23) future overseas expansion came up, a characteristically Choi-like answer returned. Choi said seriously, "I don't know (Ahn) Hyun-min well yet, so I have no advice to give yet. If he approaches me first, I think I can share many stories. It is good to have big dreams." He then added, bringing laughter once again, "It is a good thing for good juniors to go overseas. I hope pitchers like (Ahn) Woo-jin and Gwak Bin go out in large numbers. That way, it will be easier for us to hit."

And so, the 35th-year-old rookie's first day was filled with unceasing laughter. However, within that cheerfulness were embedded the experience gained by enduring 525 games in the MLB, an attitude of trying to get along well with juniors, and a realistic goal that players must be healthy to show their skills, all tucked between the jokes.

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*This content was translated by AI.