MLB's Greatest Korean Player Deserved More Praise

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Shin-Soo Choo was simply leagues above any other player to come out of South Korea. He spent his career succeeding under everyone's radar, and with Jung-hoo Lee's new massive contract out of the KBO, I think now's a great time to remember whose footsteps he'll be following.
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[@johnchoi2060]

FYI tokki is pronounced "toke-e" rather than taki

[@zachinn5988]

That pronunciation made me cringe

[@Reenact12]

토끼.

[@Godimus17]

toe-key or toke-ee is probably closer lols but good attempt at korean. Great video btw, keep up the good work!

[@davidh7832]

@@Reenact12맞아요

[@hskshag00]

Another good reference is that it rhymes with gnocchi

[@jakeselig7410]

Shin-Soo Choo truthers have finally won

[@dshyon]

you know ball

[@hectorvega4221]

🫡

[@franklindcottrell]

And the mariners traded him and Adam Jones back in 2007 and 2008.

[@HeySalina]

Shin-Soo Chruthers

[@Johnumms357]

Chase Utley next in the Quest for Truth! Utley (7.6bWAR) was 7th in MVP voting in 2006 despite leading Ryan Howard (4.3bWAR), who won the MVP by over 3bWAR. Utley wasn't as showy as many of his peers on the Phillies of those years, but he put up the best stats/bWAR by a wide margin.

[@TheStoneyJackson]

The whole stadium yelling “Choooo” every time he came up for the Rangers was always so hype

[@dagebis]

Despite Choo only playing one year in Cincinnati You cant meet a baseball fan here who doesnt remeber him. Thats how great of a player and a person he was.

[@sadmarinersfan8935]

It’s so sad my M’s gave up on him so early he was such a good player and person

[@J.C...]

How do yall feel about Junior? Is he as loved by his Cincy family as he is by his Seattle family?

[@J.C...]

​@@sadmarinersfan8935no way! He was on our team at one time?!

[@sadmarinersfan8935]

@@J.C... yes he played like 20 some games at the mlb level for us then we traded him one of the msny bad trades we made back then and even still now

[@markroberts3160]

​@@J.C... oh yeah we love Junior

[@iDaCarrot115]

When Choo played for Cleveland, my dad would always tell me about his day-to-day highlights because the way he would tell the stories would always make my 6 or 7-year-old self laugh because of his name. It's a name I've always remembered as a good player and good person, even as a kid and when I wasn't a big sports fan. My dad ended up passing away from cancer when I was in the 4th grade, and I later fell in love with the game and followed his footsteps and ended up becoming a die-hard Indians/Guards fan in early high school (2016, 2017), and was BLOWN AWAY at the fact that Shin-Soo Choo was STILL playing, along with names in the league like Asdrúbal Cabrera, Bartolo Colon, and CC Sabathia. I remembered my dad telling me stories about those names, and I almost felt some sort of strange connection watching them play after I had actually become a fan of baseball. With Shin-Soo Choo set to retire after the 2024 season, it almost feels like the end of an era for me. Godspeed and good luck Sir Choo

[@mostpalone6444]

I love this story and appreciate you for sharing. I can tell your dad was a great man.

[@iDaCarrot115]

The best. Many Cleveland fans like my dad never saw a championship, which makes the next generation of fans like myself even more hungry for it.

[@Yapperofthecentury97]

Aye RIP to your dad man. A good dad is literally the best thing brotha. You can tell that he’s smiling down on you and yours no matter what you do, but especially when you’re watching the game y’all bonded over. Respect!

[@Johnumms357]

Never been so hyped for a Jolly Olive video. Choo was always a favorite player of mine to watch hit and I've always thought he was criminally underrated. He accrued 34.6bWAR over 16 years in the bigs, or just above 2bWAR/season while not surpassing 200ABs until 2008, though be debuted in 2005.

[@DKTV]

Believe it or not, Seattle initially signed Choo as a pitcher. Great video… 👍👍👍 will make sure that Choo watches it!

[@JMPIMP254]

he also named his son Quantavious Choo after one of his favorite teammates in Seattle.

[@JollyOlive]

Thank you! I hope I did him justice.

[@opus1114]

형님 한국선수 영상은 다 찾아보시는겁니까? ㅋㅋㅋ

[@montanaproductions5559]

@@JMPIMP254please tell me you’re not trolling

[@justinlast2lastharder749]

That's pretty common though. A lot of pitchers get switched to positions in the Minors or even a Rick Ankiel type doing it in the Majors. Micah Owings in his Rookie Year was a Pinch Hitter for the Diamondbacks belting 4 HRs with a 1.033 OPS and 152 OPS+.

[@natediscavage690]

My family lived on a military base in South Korea when Choo made his debut in Cleveland, and it was Cleveland-mania on the peninsula. I had just started following baseball, so I watched the Indians play, was drawn in by Grady Sizemore, and committed to being a fan of the team thanks to Choo and Sizemore

[@miraeja]

I don’t remember Cleveland mania anywhere in sk at the time. 😂

[@Panasonicy0uth]

Choo may not have lived up to all of the hype that preceded him when he came to Texas, but I loved him for always putting together professional ABs and giving it his all, even when the Rangers weren't anywhere close being a competitive team. Glad he's finally getting some love ♥

[@notmarcus17]

FINALLY SOME SHIN SOO CHOO APPRECIATION! As a Korean-American, he is one of my favorite players of all time. I'm glad he's being appreciated. I remember watching his highlight reel videos on youtube when I was like 8-9 years old lol

[@jamesmyrick9083]

I remember Choo most from his playing days with Cleveland and his AB in that crazy 7th inning of the 2015 ALDS in Toronto.

[@tony6666]

After Sizemore was hurt in Cleveland and couldn't play regularly, Choo immediately became my favorite player. He deserves all the appreciation

[@TheTEN24]

He was such an underrated player, I myself didn’t know he came straight to America out of high school that’s crazy.

[@mov744]

As a Jays fan I'll never forget Choo being at the plate in Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS when Russell Martin struck his bat throwing back a pitch to the pitcher. Was the catalyst of events that led to the crazy 7th inning Bautista bat flip.

[@michael_epp]

I’m not even a huge baseball fan but Shin-Soo Choo definitely left an impact on me when he played for Cleveland. That dude was LEGIT

[@tom_simons]

Great call on highlighting a super underrated player. Learned some things I didn’t know about Choo, and I already thought he was great before!

[@garybrown1396]

Can still hear the fans inside Progressive Field yelling CHOOOOOOOOOO at the top of their lungs.

[@Djnostyle]

Lifelong Rangers fan here. Choo was one of my favorite players when he was active. One of the most underrated of all time. Miss that guy.

[@davidh7832]

I literally gave a presentation yesterday for my Korean class with pictures of Choo in it. It was over similarities and differences between the US and korean cultures. Both country likes baseball obviously

[@notmarcus17]

This brought back memories, I remember watching all his highlight compilations when I was younger

[@kyshro]

Choo was incredible on the Indians/Reds. And to be fair Dae Ho Lee didn’t get an opportunity and came at the twilight of his career. Byung Ho Park got injured early in his MLB career as well 🤷🏻‍♂️ You didnt mention how good Jung Ho Kang did on the Pirates before he got a DUI multiple times….

[@SoftBank47]

I dunno how accurate that statement is about Lee Dae-Ho. After Seattle, he played 6 more very good seasons for Busan Lotte. He was basically the only guy worth watching on those teams after a 2017 playoff season, lol.

[@kyshro]

@@SoftBank47 I’m a huge Mariners fan & Dae Ho Lee would be on the bench more than on the field. He was 35 when he was on Mariners. Way past his prime….He played 6 more good seasons… but it’s the KBO

[@stevec69]

Choo had a certain charisma that places him on top of all Korean MLBers God bless him

[@roadtrip2943]

Choo is a stand up guy who while rehabing in AA had a well known top texas Steakhouse set up a grill catering event for the AA players and staff

[@mouseinurhouse]

The way MLB does minor leagues dirty is inexcusable

[@foramoreperfectamerica8490]

As a Giants fan, I'm so excited about Lee. Let's go.

[@bobbyhamblen2338]

Me Too!!!

[@applejoosh_]

sucks as a korean dodger fan, but I hope Lee becomes the Korean Ichiro 😂

[@disgruntledtaco3640]

So happy this guy getting the love he deserves

[@typicalazn16]

This showed up in my recs and I’m glad it did. Choo is a legend. Great video and captured his career fantastically

[@maxwelltalley612]

I’ve been a Landers fan since COVID, and it was so amazing to see him come back to Korea and win a championship with them!! So glad to see Choo Shin-soo get his love 🥺❤️

[@DeidaraOfTheAkatsuki]

Knew my M’s would be mentioned but didn’t expect the early-mid stray. But shoutout Choo for knowing how life was in the minors and deciding to help during the pandemic. It isn’t a lot for some but for the minor leaguers it probably helped them way more than we could imagine.

[@ButterflyBlood]

I saw the post about him watching the vid and crying before watching myself. It was moving to put myself in his shoes!

[@CheeseMasterSports]

My favorite team is the Reds. I remember how good he was that one year he played for them, it felt like he was on base all the time! Miss that guy

[@Karmy.]

Choo is awesome, will never forget watching him play against my Tigers with all that eye black on when he was with the Guardians He's also an integral part of the "Not Happy JV" story too

[@ByiLHS]

Thanks for doing this video! I wish my dad was still around, he would have loved to watch this one.

[@nathancleary3190]

shin soo choo is awesome!!! i wish i got to watch him play. thanks for the vodeo

[@rararacheloh]

this is his last season😢what a legend! it has been fun watching him play these last couple years in korea

[@joeseppi_]

I saw him play in Tacoma a few times and remember thinking “wow he’s really good. Can’t wait for the Ms to trade him for a pile of poo”

[@hohf85]

I’m a tigers fan and I remember being at a game in the right field stands while the tigers were playing the Indians. A guy in the crowd started a chant where everybody would sound like they’re getting ready to sneeze. “Ahh!!! Ahh!!! Choo!!!!” And after hearing it a few times Choo turned around and laughed. From that moment on I was a Choo fan lol

[@originaljse9313]

I grew up an Indians fan during his prime and he was a treasure to us. His walk-off via hitting the birds is iconic and he had a CANNON for and arm that was severely underrated! I also remembered I have a Disco Nights themed bobble head of him, so that’s pretty cool.

[@jayceh1031]

The Cleveland version of Choo was the real deal. The guy had a cannon for an arm and was a legit 5-tool plyr.

[@johnko1340]

Great vid as usual jolly! Always wanted a player like Choo for our Metropolitans…

[@asdfaeou]

A wonderful video truly deserving of a wonderful representative of MLB. Also, found a way to make me love Joey Votto even more.

[@Hezzy_Baseball]

Great video man. You’ll be at 100k soon and it will be well deserved!

[@chriscreaturo8809]

Choo was a good player. I remember seeing him in Cleveland when it was him and Sizemore in the outfield

[@Broseftoast]

Enjoyed the video man good stuff

[@danielpenrodii2389]

Us Texans loved chanting “Soo Choo”. Great memories!

[@DiegoATss]

Amazing video! Choo was an On Base machine, he had a great MLB career

[@starwarsbaseballboy1]

Choo’s 2013 season with the Reds is one of the most underrated performances in a year during the 2010s.

[@playhard1337]

I love your videos, Jolly. Keep up the great work. Choo is a legend and very underrated. I remember when he was still in the league, he was seen as just another player. MLB needs to do better job in promoting international stars, both Asian and European. It's not all just Shohei Ohtani.

[@chrislincoln4330]

Remember Choo tossing me a ball while he was shagging BP for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. I'm a CLE fan and this was while he was with SEA so super cool when he came to CLE.

[@iPodErgoiAm]

Thanks for this! I didn’t know much about him so this was great!

[@TheRealitySpin]

I am WAY late to this but SHOUTOUT to Jolly for using MLB Power Pros music! Made my day hearing that song in the background.

[@WaltherPPK909]

Love Choo, as a Rangers fan I enjoyed watching him play for Cleveland. He took a picture with me and I was hyped when he came to Texas! I even saw him in the KBO last year, which was just extra special

[@dogmanandborisproductions]

Shin soo choo i remember this man watched him live once and thought really cool.

[@antoniostrings]

Wow. Always knew he was a great player but never knew how great of a human he is. LEGEND!

[@orcbollg]

Shin-Soo Choo has always been one of my favorite players, glad he’s finally getting his flowers!

[@kami_in_the_skye]

Choo is easily in my top-10 favorite players ever. He didn't put up eye-popping stats, but they were always solid, and to be able to maintain that standard for so long while still having his fair share of injury struggles sets him apart & makes his career something truly special & worth remembering. All-time underrated on the field, and a class act off of it.

[@jkk2940]

Met this guy once in a hotel lobby after they played in Oakland. He was so gracious and kind when I approached him for an autograph. He will play one more year in kbo and then hang it up. His two boys are athletes too, so maybe we see another Choo in the pros soon.

[@Ren_Brands]

One of my favorite Players, he had a great career and is a wonderful Human.

[@Baldurmoon027]

Choo has been my favorite MLB player for over a decade and at this point I don't think anyone will ever de-throne him. An Angel among men. Humble and kind. He will remain my #1.

[@ibejoshuabee]

Bro, the MLB Power Pros menu music in this video is so nostalgic of my childhood 😭😭😭😭

[@thesockpuppetguy7626]

When I used to play franchise mode for MLB the Show 2010 and 2011 I used to trade for Choo ever ly single time for my Rangers. So I was over the moon when they signed him. Man was always one of my favorites, and I'm so glad to see this video

[@trinidad111]

We loved him in Cleveland and was sad to see him go

[@The300Show]

Choo was a machine! I loved that dude when he was in the league.

[@oldman28guy18]

Awesome vid, thanks for doing this. Didn’t know about his bromance with Votto 🐰🐰🐰

[@aaron_luke96]

He was a great player man! His swing will always be something I remember.

[@SheepDoggyDog]

A really significant part of Choo's saga this misses is the situation with his compulsory military duty. Korean men are required to serve in the military (about 2 years at the time) roughly by the age of 30, but can be exempted under certain situations of providing service to lifting the country's national image -- usually by winning an Olympic medal or international competition. Choo wasn't able to play on the 2008 gold-winning team because he was out of options to be sent to the minors, and major league players were unavailable. In 2009 he had maybe his best shot on the WBC team, but Korea ultimately fell to Japan in the final, though there was hope that politicians might pass a bill offering him an exemption because he had played so well. The obvious other option for Choo was to just to refuse to do his service, which could've meant renouncing his citizenship and/or never returning to Korea, but he was very careful never to appear to be entertaining the thought -- even reports of thinking about it would turn public sentiment harshly against him in Korea. But rumors were saying his camp -- or more accurately his agents -- were preparing for that contingency. Ultimately, Choo was able to push off enlistment as far as possible to participate in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou that occurred after the season in November. He was the only MLB player in the whole tournament. Korea has historically dominated the event, and that year was no different, getting him the military exemption and saving his reputation in Korea at the very last moment.

[@isaacchang1702]

Didn’t realize he never served. Is that also the reason he came though the minors instead of going to the KBO?

[@SheepDoggyDog]

@@isaacchang1702 He would've had to play 7 years in the KBO to be posted for the MLB. He was a high school phenom and already knew he wanted to be in the MLB ASAP.

[@matts82581]

I had no idea he was in the same category as some of the biggest MLB stars during his day. Great video.

[@michaelcunningham3595]

this is such a great video, again. i am a lot older than you so i remember the early ways, way before any asians were playing. ive always had a huge curiosity about the leagues in Japan and Korea and had closely followed many of their players when they come over here. please do more of these. Chan Ho Park, the Seatle Mariner's history of signing Ichiro, Sasaki and Hasegawa may be the team with the most signings and success.

[@VegeMaticPragtarian]

Shin soo choos Reds year was awesome. Snubbed of the all star game, remember like it was yesterday

[@eunholee2200]

As a Korean MLB fan love the video

[@Ian00003]

It’s so cool he was able to go home and play in the KBO

[@evan-1337]

As someone who followed baseball very closely and occasionally played fantasy, i knew how good choo was (OBP machine) and i always begged for my team to get him (the Mets)

[@philiphan123]

I miss him in MLB the show. Unbelievable swing

[@MrROKinROK]

Good stuff, dude. 7:04 FYI: The Korean word for rabbit sounds closer to "hokey" than "hockey."

[@MrROKinROK]

NM. I see someone already commented.

[@TheBorderGeek]

Saw him play in the late 00s as an Indian against the Twins at the Metrodome. A drunk, "rough around the edges," middle-aged woman kept cheering, "Gooooooo, Shinny!" A young boy beside us kept asking, "Why is she calling him 💩ty?" 🤣

[@redsoxlova15]

Jolly Olive never fails to use the MLB power pros soundtrack and make me cream my jeans

[@The_Ann0uncer]

Great under-the-radar player to highlight 👍

[@Luigiman_95]

Loved Choo in the rangers! Always fun and exciting. Very consistent.

[@TheFrontRowe]

The fact that Shin-Soo Choo got emotional watching this video has to feel good. Well done.

[@bmac4]

Im definitely hopeful that Ha-seong Kim's rise to one of the best all around players last year helps pave the way for further MLB greatness from Korean-based talents.

[@edvaira6891]

I love watching HS Kim with the Padres…he always busts his ass wherever and whenever he gets played! Perfect utility guy!

[@mlbmobilegamer]

one of my favs in 9 innings 10 and more!

[@enigmatiks]

First heard of him while playing MLB The show 10. He should’ve gotten more attention and all star nods

[@jgray2718]

I love videos about guys who were better than they got credit for.

[@jonasp.30]

Shin-soo choo finally wins! His rangers walk up song is still engrained into my brain that loud turn down for what

[@smythe92]

Shoutout MLB Powerpros music in background… favourite sport video game of all time

[@apagan0075]

nice touch with the Power Pros music.

[@YitzyKotler]

I love. How you used the power pros music!!!!

[@DSTEWGOD]

Choo was one of my favorite Cleveland players during his time here

[@IwasHere967]

I really appreciate the MLB Power Pros music in these videos

[@CinCity29]

Choo is easily one of my favorite Reds of all time, and he was only here a year.

[@king_ltc_]

We call him Choo Choo Train for a reason. Korean legend.

[@ericyang5261]

Choo was a hard throwing pitcher in highschool and signed Mariners as a pitcher, during his prime he was one of the best outfield arm in the league

[@pxradax]

Sin soo choo was my dads friend since childhood

[@kyleraines3698]

Wait the song in the background is from MLB power pros… I used to play that game religiously

[@Snazzeo]

WE WILL GET JOLLY OLIVE TO 100K BY MARCH

[@KuroGordon]

Makes me happy he's doing so well in the KBO.

[@aaronackerman4364]

Omg is that the MLB Power Pros menu screen music at 5:16

[@fudgets1]

Fantasy baseball legend Shin-Soo Choo

[@TheChainChasers]

Knew it was choo. That man is a beast