Choo Shin Soo Celebrated With Grand Retirement Ceremony

On June 14, 2025, the Incheon SSG Landers Field was the stage for a grand and heartfelt farewell to one of Korea's most celebrated baseball icons, Choo Shin-soo. Known affectionately as the 'Choo Choo Train,' Choo's retirement ceremony was a spectacular event that honored his remarkable 34-year baseball career spanning both Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League.

Choo Shin-soo's journey began in Busan, where he graduated from Busan Soo-young Elementary, Busan Middle, and Busan High Schools. In 2000, he signed an international contract with the Seattle Mariners, embarking on a challenging path that led him to debut in the big leagues in 2005 with the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians). Over 16 seasons in MLB, Choo amassed impressive career statistics: a .275 batting average, 218 home runs, 782 RBIs, 961 runs, 157 stolen bases, a .377 on-base percentage, and a .447 slugging percentage across 1,652 games. His accomplishments include being the first Asian player to achieve a 20-home run and 20-stolen base season in 2009, and hitting for the cycle in 2015.

After concluding his MLB career in 2020, Choo chose to return to Korea, joining the SSG Landers in the KBO League in 2021. Over four seasons, he played 439 games with a .263 batting average, 54 home runs, and 205 RBIs. His debut KBO season was especially notable, showcasing his dual-threat capability with 21 home runs and 25 stolen bases, earning him the reputation of a 'homerun-stolen base king.' In 2022, Choo was instrumental as the team's leadoff hitter in guiding SSG to the KBO League championship.

The retirement ceremony was a celebration not only of Choo's athletic achievements but also of his enduring impact on the sport and community. The stadium was packed with 23,000 enthusiastic fans, each receiving a special cheering towel emblazoned with "CHOO 17" to honor his jersey number. Demonstrating his commitment to giving back, Choo personally invited 500 children from underprivileged backgrounds and youth baseball players in the Incheon area to attend the game. Among them were children from the Pine Tree Home welfare facility, whom Choo had mentored and supported the previous year.

Family played a central role in the ceremony. Choo’s wife, Ha Won-mi, threw the ceremonial first pitch, his daughter, Choo So-hee, took the ceremonial batting role, and Choo himself caught the ceremonial pitch, creating a touching family moment. His two sons, who play baseball in the United States, also joined the festivities, marking a full-circle moment for the family.

SSG players honored their veteran teammate by wearing commemorative retirement uniforms featuring Choo's name and number 17. Despite the home team's 2-4 loss to the Lotte Giants, the atmosphere was electric, charged with respect and admiration. The game itself saw Jeon Jun-woo of Lotte deliver clutch hits, including a timely single in the sixth inning that tied the game and another in the eighth that sealed the victory.

Following the game, a series of tributes unfolded. Video messages from numerous former teammates, including close friend Lee Dae-ho, were screened, eliciting warm applause from the crowd. Lee Dae-ho’s coffee truck gift to Choo added a personal touch to the celebrations.

Among the distinguished guests were MLB legends Adrian Beltre and Cole Hamels, both of whom shared heartfelt reflections on their time with Choo. Beltre, who played 21 seasons with an outstanding .286 batting average and 477 home runs, expressed gratitude for being invited to the ceremony and recalled their years together with fondness. “From the moment I first saw Choo, I believed he would succeed because of his hard work and passion,” Beltre said. “Playing alongside him was an honor, and every moment we shared was a joy.”

Cole Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP and a key figure in Philadelphia Phillies history, echoed these sentiments. “It’s an honor to be here,” Hamels stated. “Choo Shin-soo proved himself as a great player and a wonderful teammate. His decision to return to Korea to finish his career shows his deep love for baseball. I believe everyone here will continue to light the future of Korean baseball.”

Choo Shin-soo also reflected on his career and retirement. He recalled how watching his friend Lee Dae-ho's retirement ceremony in 2022 helped him realize his own day would come. Despite playing only four seasons with SSG, he felt deeply honored by the team's effort to organize such a grand ceremony. Choo spoke candidly about his final MLB at-bat in 2020, which took place in an empty stadium during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I felt blessed to have the chance to say goodbye to fans here in Korea, something I couldn’t do properly in the U.S.,” he said.

He also shared humorous moments with his family, joking about his wife’s lack of pitching skill despite living with a baseball player for over 20 years. Choo revealed that his usually reserved sons told him they might cry watching his farewell video, underscoring the emotional weight of the occasion.

A testament to his professionalism and love for the game, Choo declined a special entry in the lineup for a ceremonial final at-bat, stating he had no lingering attachments to his playing days and hadn’t swung a bat since the end of the previous season. Instead, he chose to focus on celebrating the end of a remarkable journey surrounded by family, friends, teammates, and fans.

Earlier in the week, Choo had hosted a mentoring session with Beltre and Hamels for SSG's Futures (minor league) players, sharing invaluable insights into the process of excelling in baseball. This gesture highlighted his commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent.

Looking ahead, Choo will have the opportunity to bid a final farewell to MLB fans when he throws the ceremonial first pitch for the Texas Rangers during their game against the Cleveland Guardians on August 23, 2025. This event will reunite him with the league where he made his name and further cement his legacy as one of Korea's greatest baseball exports.

The retirement ceremony concluded with Choo being lifted by his teammates in a celebratory toss and a dazzling fireworks display lighting up the night sky. Fans of both SSG and Lotte lingered long after the event, cherishing the last moments with the legendary player.

Choo Shin-soo’s retirement marks the end of an era, but his influence on Korean and international baseball will endure. From his early days in Busan to the bright lights of MLB stadiums and back to the passionate crowds of the KBO League, Choo’s career is a testament to dedication, perseverance, and love for the game.