SSG Landers' Choi Jeong is just one home run away from the coveted 500. Will a historic record be achieved in the doubleheader on the 11th?

On the 10th, Choi started as the designated hitter in the second game of the doubleheader against the KIA Tigers at Incheon SSG Landers Field and hit his 499th career home run.

He remained quiet until the 8th inning. He struck out in the 1st inning against KIA's starting pitcher Ole, and in the 3rd inning with two outs and a man on first, he was caught in a foul fly to the first baseman. In the 5th inning with one out and a man on second, he was out on a ground ball to the third baseman. In the 7th inning, tied 2-2, Choi reached base by drawing a walk against Jo Sang-woo with two outs and a man on second.

Choi met Jeong Hae-young in the 9th inning after being down 3-5 and hit a solo home run that cleared the left-center field wall. It was his 4th home run of the season and his 499th career home run.

Now there is just one home run remaining for 500. SSG will play a doubleheader against KIA at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 11th. Choi, known for his power hitting, could get 7 to 8 at-bats during the doubleheader. SSG officials are expecting that the 500th home run will happen during the doubleheader.

Choi, who suffered a hamstring injury during spring training before the 2025 season, rehabilitated for over a month and was registered in the first team roster on the 2nd, beginning his season late. In his first game of the season on the 2nd against LG, he hit a home run in his first at-bat after returning. He has recorded 4 home runs in 7 games, closing in on the 500th home run milestone.

The SSG team announced on their official social media on the 5th that "fans who catch Choi's 500th home run ball and donate it to the team will receive various gifts worth 17 million won from Shinsegae Group and sponsors of the team."

Fans donating the commemorative ball will receive two season tickets for the 2026 season SSG Landers Live Zone, one skybox invitation, an autographed bat from Choi, and a commemorative uniform for the 500 home runs. They will also receive a total of 17 million won worth of benefits, including Shinsegae gift certificates, Emart and SSG.com mobile gift certificates, Starbucks vouchers, and Dynafit vouchers. Additionally, there will be time for fans to meet Choi on the field for autographs and photos.

SSG provided a fan who donated the commemorative ball when Choi surpassed Lee Seung-yup (467 home runs) with his 468th KBO home run on April 24, 2024, with gifts worth 15 million won, including a stay at the Chosun Hotel and season tickets. They decided to offer even more benefits for the 500 home runs.

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