South Korean baseball players have not only been crowned Asian Games champions, but they have also won exemptions from mandatory military service by beating rival Taiwan 9-3.
After their victory late on Friday, the topic among players was as much focused on the exemption as it was on winning the gold.
“To say that I was not concerned about my military obligation, that would be a lie,” said slugger Choo Shin-soo, who plays for the major league Cleveland Indians.
“But that was not the only reason why I played in this Asian Games. I love baseball and I’m very proud to represent my [nation],” he said.
With his military exemption in hand, Koo said he would return to the US where he would “let more people know about South Korea.”
Due to the tense relations with North Korea, South Korean men must fulfill one year of compulsory military service, but can skip it if they can win the nation a gold medal at major international events.
South Korea has won three Asiad baseball titles and is the only nation to hold both the Asian Games and Olympic titles in the event simultaneously.
“I went out and did not make any big mistakes,” said Yoon Suk-min, who was exceptional in relief when he struck out seven batters and shut down the Taiwan side.
“I am happy to help my team win and get the exemption from military service,” he added.
Friday’s win was also good news for the Cleveland Indians, whose new general manager Chris Antonetti wasted no time in saying he would discuss a long-term deal with Choo.
Choo won’t be a free agent for three years, but is eligible for salary arbitration this winter.
“I’m very happy for him,” Indians manager Manny Acta told MLB.com.
“He is a proud man who cares a lot about winning. Now South Korea is on top of Asian baseball and he can continue to make them proud with his accomplishments in MLB,” Acta said.
He was 8-for-14 with three home runs and 11 runs batted in for South Korea in the Asian Games.
This year, 28-year-old Choo was Cleveland’s most consistent player, hitting .300 with 22 home runs and 90 runs batted in.
He became the only Indians player since 1901 to record a .300 average and at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in consecutive seasons.
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