Shin-Soo Choo Avoids Military Duty by Leading South Korea to Gold Medal

by Knox Bardeen

Filed under: Indians, International Baseball

The Asian Games was more than just a regional Olympic-style sporting event with national bragging rights on the line for 45 countries, at least for Cleveland Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. When Choo led the South Korean baseball team to the gold medal on Friday, he may have just slugged his way out of a mandatory military commitment with his home country.

Choo hit .300 with 22 home runs for the Indians in 2010, and has been playing in the States since 2005. But, according to South Korean law, every able-bodied male must serve in their military for two years prior to his 30th birthday.

Choo, who turned 28 in July, was in danger of having to leave Major League Baseball in the prime of his career to complete his tour of duty in South Korea.

The South Korean government did give Choo an interesting option prior to the Asian Games. All Choo had to do was bring home the gold medal in baseball and the powers that be would consider letting Choo out of his obligation to serve in the military.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Adam Everett Rafael Furcal Álex González Nick Green