KIA Tigers' Living Legend Choi Hyung-woo (42) is at the most important crossroads of baseball life in the 2025 season.

Veteran Choi Hyung-woo, who has 395 home runs in his career, is deeply agonizing over whether to view this year as his last season or extend his active career.토토사이트

Last 2024 season, Choi showed his side as a troubleshooter with a batting average of 0.280 with 22 home runs and 109 RBIs in 116 appearances. In particular, he proved his skill by contributing decisively to KIA's overall V12 championship with a batting average of 0.333 in the Korean Series.

Choi himself thinks it is time to step down as the cleanup hitter. "I should have stepped down three years ago and it is still too late," he said, demanding that he reduce his role.

He showed a mature attitude of thinking about the future of the team before personal glory, hoping that the new foreign hitter Patrick Wisdom would take on the role of the fourth batter.

Rather, coach Lee Bum-ho still sees Choi as a key player in the team. "Since he has the best RBI production ability, I will appoint him after seeing the situation in the fourth or sixth batting order," he said.

Choi Hyung-woo also did not forget his dedication to the team, saying, "I will do whatever the coach tells me to do."

Since his individual training in Guam during the off-season, Choi has been agonizing over his limitations. "I couldn't physically move up as much as I thought maybe because of my age," Choi said, expressing his self-esteem as a professional player and cool-headedness to face reality. "I will decide whether to extend my active duty or retire depending on the results of the 2025 season and my physical condition," he said, taking a cautious stance ahead of the final season.

Choi Hyung-woo's story goes beyond a simple individual choice.

His concerns deeply reflect consideration for his juniors, a sense of responsibility for the team, and dignity as a professional player. Still, he has not lost his passion and professionalism toward the team even at the age of 42, which is a living textbook that illustrates the great value of Korean baseball.