Professional baseball player Choi Jeong (38) of the SSG Landers has achieved a record of 20 consecutive seasons with double-digit home runs in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League.

On the 27th, Choi recorded 2 hits in 2 at-bats, 1 home run, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, and 3 walks while starting as the fourth baseman in a game against the Hanwha Eagles at Incheon SSG Landers Field during the '2025 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League.'

After drawing a walk while SSG was trailing 0-3 in the bottom of the first inning with one out and two runners on base, Choi was unable to score as Han Yu-seom hit into a 4-6-3 double play. With the score widening to 0-5 in the third inning with two outs and runners on first and second base, Choi entered his second at-bat, hitting a 147km/h fastball from Hanwha's starting pitcher Eom Sang-baek over the left-center fence for a three-run home run. It was his 10th home run of the season.

Choi, who achieved his 10th home run of the season, has recorded over 10 home runs every year since he first reached double digits in 2006, marking a unique milestone in professional baseball history with 20 consecutive seasons of 10 or more home runs.

After the game, Choi stated, "I feel good. My only goal every year is to hit double-digit home runs. Although it was a bit late, I'm glad I managed to achieve it. I've been struggling with my hitting for almost a month; I've been working hard, but there were some struggles. I'm happy to have hit a good ball today. I hope it continues to improve from here."

"I've been struggling with my timing, so instead of focusing on the pitch types, I just thought about swinging my bat at my point. It seems like I found the center of balance," Choi reflected on his home run situation. "Honestly, if everything had gone normally, I should have already hit 10 home runs. I hit 9 home runs too quickly and struggled too much with the last one. But I'm satisfied that I finally got a home run. I've been practicing hard with Coach Kwang Byeong-sik to find my rhythm, and today I got a good result. I plan to continue with the feeling I have now."

On the 28th, SSG will hold a retirement ceremony for Kim Kang-min, who led the team during its golden age. Since joining SK (now SSG) in 2005, Choi has played alongside Kim until 2023. Choi noted, "I heard that there will be a ceremony for (Kim) Kang-min hyung when he comes in for defense in the first inning and is substituted. I think it will feel strange in some way," adding, "I think many memories will come to mind during the retirement ceremony."

"Having been together since childhood, we overcame tough times and won many championships," Choi said. "I think I'll know how I feel tomorrow. It doesn't really feel real right now," he mentioned. "Honestly, it doesn't feel like someone else's situation. I also feel like I don't have much time left myself. That's why I approach games with the mindset of doing my best without regrets," expressing his determination.

[OSEN]