“Everyone has that much pressure,”

KBO said on the 6th, “SSG Landers outfielder Choi Ji-hoon will join the Korean national team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). WBC Organizing Committee WBCI (World Baseball Classic Inc.) ) informed the KBO on the 5th that Choi Ji-man (Pittsburgh Pirates) could not compete in the WBC.”

Pittsburgh expressed a medical objection to the WBCI, citing Choi Ji-man’s surgical history. Accordingly, the WBCI held an injury review committee to deliberate on whether or not to allow Choi Ji-man to participate in the WBC, and it was decided as such. According to the WBCI’s final judgment, SSG Choi Ji-hoon was selected by the WBC Korea National Team Technical Committee Chairman Beom-Hyeon Cho, the Technical Committee, and the national team coach Kang-Cheol Lee.

Choi Ji-man wanted to wear the Taegeuk mark for the first time in his life and hit the ground, but his participation in the WBC was eventually canceled due to concerns about his injury. Choi Ji-man said through the management company, “Not only me, but all athletes, regardless of the sport, must have dreamed of running as a player representing the country with a national flag on their chest.” I don’t know. But maybe it’s because I had high expectations. The disappointment and frustration following the decision to not be accepted is also very great.”

The national team chose outfielder Choi Ji-hoon as a substitute for first baseman Choi Ji-man. As a result, only two KT Wiz players, Park Byeong-ho and Kang Baek-ho, can play an active role as the first baseman for the national team.

Park Byeong-ho was revived last season after transferring to KT as a free agent (FA). He went 118 hits in 429 at-bats last season with 35 homers and 98 RBIs for a .275 OPS of .909. He suffered an injury while playing base run in September of last year and was unable to play for about a month, but showed tremendous destructive power and won the home run king and the Golden Glove at first base.

On the other hand, Kang Baek-ho fell into a slump last season suffering from bad news of injury. Kang Baek-ho, who suffered a fractured right little toe before the season, returned in June, but suffered a hamstring injury while playing base in the first game in July. Kang Baek-ho, who was not in perfect physical condition, finished the season with 58 hits in 237 at-bats, 6 homers, 29 RBIs and a batting average of 0.245 OPS of 0.683. 안전놀이터

Kang Baek-ho was named to the WBC national team despite his sluggish performance last season. On the 31st of last month, Kang Baek-ho conveyed his impressions of boarding the national team when leaving for the Arizona Spring Camp in the United States. He said, “I think I have to prove it. I think that many fans will agree and say, ‘It was okay’ if I show a good image often. said.

Even at the time of Kang Baek-ho’s departure, it was unclear whether Choi Ji-man would join the national team. In the end, Choi Ji-man could not join the national team. Regarding the burden of not participating in the major leagues, Kang Baek-ho said, “All players play with a sense of pressure.