Japan’s interest in Choi Ji-man’s absence…”A painful situation for Korea”

The Japanese media has also been paying attention to whether or not the Korean World Baseball Classic (WBC) national team will participate in major leaguer Choi Ji-man (31, Pittsburgh). As the non-participation was confirmed, it is emphasized that Korea’s power has weakened.

Japan’s ‘Sports Hochi’ said on the 7th, “Left-handed hitter Choi Ji-man, who played in 486 major league games and hit 61 homers, was expected to become a key player in the Korean national team, but was dropped from the national team.” It was weakened by external circumstances.”

Baseball body ‘Full Count’ also said, “When Choi Ji-man, who has long hitting power, did not participate, sad voices are pouring out in Korea. It is a painful situation for the weakened Korean national team,” he said. “Korea has a higher level of second baseman and shortstop than Japan, but Japan has an advantage as a whole due to Choi Ji-man’s absence. It is noteworthy how Choi Ji-man’s departure will affect the Korea-Japan match.”

With major leaguers Kim Ha-seong (San Diego) and Tommy Edman (St. Louis) participating, Korea is better at shortstop and second baseman, but with the absence of slugger Choi Ji-man, it is expected that Japan will lead overall. Japan, which is aiming for the championship, actually included 5 overseas players, 2 pitchers and 3 outfielders. 안전놀이터

Choi Ji-man is the hitter that the Korean national team wanted to participate in, focusing on batting. Among the active Korean major leaguers, he planned to be the best hitter in the center of the batting line. However, due to overlapping circumstances such as the aftermath of elbow surgery after his trade and an application for salary adjustment, the Pittsburgh team failed to obtain permission, and the last 5 days he failed to play.

Instead, Korea chose outfielder Choi Ji-hoon (SSG) and selected a large runner and large defensive agent, not a hard hitter. In terms of batting with Japan’s observatory, the departure of Choi Ji-man may be a factor in deducting points, but the Korean national team is preparing for the tournament in more detail, considering the number of cases while selecting a replacement player for Choi Ji-man’s failure to participate. .

Korea and Japan, who are side by side in Group B of the first round, will clash at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on March 10th.