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| Ex-MLB star Choo Shin-soo. (Photo from UPI) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] BUSAN-- Choo Shin-soo who wore No. 17 throughout his career, that started during his elementary school days. And when he saw that his favorite number was already taken on his new Korean club, SSG Landers, Choo reached out to that owner: pitcher Lee Tae-yang.
Lee readily gave that number to the former major league All-Star, who signed with the Landers late February and joined the club on Thursday after ending his 14-day quarantine. While addressing his new teammates for the first time at Sajik Stadium, Choo presented Lee with a watch as a token of his appreciation. Choo said he'd purchased the watch in the United States before traveling to Korea. And this was essentially a big leaguer doing big league staff: veterans taking a number from a teammate when joining a new team often give that player a watch or some sort of a present.
"I was so grateful. I didn't take it for granted that Tae-yang just had to give it to me because I am older," the 38-year-old Choo said of his 30-year-old teammate. "I felt it was right for me to express my appreciation. No. 17 has always been a special number for me."
