Indians' Shin-Soo Choo Will Put Everything on Line in Asian Games

by John Hickey

Filed under: Indians

SEATTLE -- Save for the very closest followers of the sport, most fans know little or nothing about baseball's role in the Asian Games.

But for at least one major league ballplayer, the 2010 version of the international multi-sport competition, to be held in Guangzhou, China starting on Nov. 12, could be the biggest competition of his life.

Cleveland right fielder Shin-Soo Choo is Korean, and is extremely proud of that fact. In his pursuit of a baseball career, however, he has not yet served in the South Korean army, and it's possible that after this year he will be asked to give his mandatory two years of service.

There is a catch, however. If Choo and the South Korean team win the gold medal at the Asian Games, his military service requirement will be waived. If not, then he'll be just another soldier, and in all likelihood sooner rather than later.

 

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