SSG Landers' Choi Jeong's 500-home run milestone has literally entered the countdown phase.
On the 5th, Choi hit a three-run home run in the first inning of the game against the Lotte Giants, held at Sajik Stadium in Busan. With this, Choi recorded his 498th career home run, leaving just 2 home runs until the unprecedented milestone of 500 home runs.
Choi had recorded a total of 495 home runs until last season. Achieving the record early this season was a given. However, he faced a setback with a hamstring injury just before the season opener. On March 17, during defensive drills before the KIA game in Gwangju, he felt discomfort in his right hamstring. The weather was so cold that the game was canceled due to a cold wave, and he received a diagnosis indicating damage to the hamstring area as his muscles stiffened.
By early April, he was reportedly nearly 90% recovered. It seemed that his return was imminent. However, he did not receive a 100% full recovery diagnosis until mid-April. Eventually, he returned to the first-team roster on May 2, ahead of the LG game in Jamsil, later than expected. However, as soon as he returned, he hit home runs as if he were catching up on missed assignments. In his first at-bat of the return game on the 2nd, he hit a two-run homer. He was silent on the 3rd but launched home runs on the 4th against LG and on the 5th against Lotte, hitting home runs on consecutive days. 3 home runs in 4 games.
Choi's milestone clock has been stopped for over a month but is now suddenly ticking faster. With only 2 home runs left to reach the milestone, manager Lee Soong-yong noted before the game on the 6th regarding Choi's home run record, "I think the best scenario would be for him to hit one home run and for the team to win, then achieve the record in Incheon," he said with a smile. He hopes to enjoy the joy of achieving the milestone while receiving congratulations and cheers from many home fans. If the milestone occurs in an away stadium, it is not an easy thing for the home team's front office.
In fact, when Choi set the KBO League's all-time home run record of 468 home runs, previously held by Lee Seung-yuop last year, he achieved it on the road, not at home in Incheon. On April 24, he set the 468-home run record, and coincidentally, that stadium was also Sajik Stadium in Busan.
Will Choi, as manager Lee Soong-yong wishes, be able to achieve the 500-home run milestone at Incheon SSG Landers Field, where he has poured his career? The player's thoughts may differ.
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