There was controversy. So it's clear why Choo Shin-soo is needed for SSG.
Choo Shin-soo, who retired after last season, is now committed to SSG Landers as a "front" rather than a player.스포츠토토
He has actively supported the team and staff by serving as an assistant to the owner of the team, and continues to make warm moves in the U.S. spring camp. In particular, his actions deserve applause, as he throws balls for the players and raises T-balls even though he is an assistant.
SSG Landers said on the 2nd (Korea Standard Time), "Aide Choo Shin-soo provided a special meal directly to the team and local staff," adding, "We prepared 140 servings of food at the representative Mexican restaurant in the United States for the Lunar New Year holiday."
Like his days as a player, Choo Shin-soo is now paying attention to the invisible for his team as a "front."
Choo Shin-soo, who is well versed in the U.S., prepares for a 'surprise gift' for the team
SSG is currently holding its spring camp in Vero Beach, Florida. Choo, who has served as an assistant to the team's owner since this year, has visited the camp in person to support the team.
In particular, he spent about 3 million won on his personal expenses to prepare catering services for Chipotle, a famous Mexican cooking franchise in the United States. In addition, he expressed his gratitude by presenting Nike sneakers worth 4 million won to 16 front and training assistants who silently devoted themselves to the team at the training site.
An SSG official said, "I thought about what staff members who walk 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day in the camp need the most," adding, "Aide Choo Shin-soo even checked the shoe size himself and carefully prepared it."
"I feel more at the front, not as an athlete"
Choo Shin-soo said, "I remember the players eating so deliciously last year, so I prepared this year as well," adding, "I hope the team and staff who come all the way to Florida and work hard together will eat delicious food and cheer up and prepare well for the season."
In addition, he said, "From a front standpoint, looking at the players, I'm more concerned than before," adding, "It's still early in the camp, but I hope we can all cheer up and finish the camp well."
The players and staff were deeply moved by the present. "I didn't know that Choo Shin-soo prepared it for me even as I kept eating it," rookie catcher Lee Yul-ye said. "I tried it for the first time and it was so good. Thanks to this, I think I can cheer up and concentrate on my training."
Vincent, a local staff member, also said, "Chipole is a must-eat food at least once a week because I personally like it," adding, "But it was amazing that such respected Choo Shin-soo prepared it for us, and I wanted to help SSG's training more actively."
"Doing Your Front Role Faithfully" ... It's different from the controversy over Park Jeongtae
Meanwhile, one of the recent controversies surrounding SSG was the hiring controversy of former Futures manager Park Jung-tae. Park eventually chose to voluntarily resign as his DUI history became an issue. And criticism has intensified that he is an uncle to Choo Shin-soo.
However, Choo's performance at SSG is completely different from that. Former coach Park Jung-tae was at the center of controversy in the past, but Choo is thoroughly dedicated to the team and is truly playing the role of a "front."
Beyond the simple title of "owner assistant," Choo Shin-soo is striving to participate in the camp, interact with players, and improve the training environment. It is not just giving advice, but taking care of what the players actually need, carefully considering the staff, and raising the team's atmosphere.
During batting training, he volunteered to be a batting ball pitcher and helped the players train. This means that he is deeply involved in the actual team management and is helping them, not in his role of advising.
Real leadership... He's changing from a player to a "front man"
Choo was an example to his juniors when he was a player. He gave advice to his juniors as a big leaguer for 16 years in the U.S., and played a leading role as a veteran even after his return to Korea.
Now, he is continuing his move as a "front." He is not just an aide who has nothing but "name value." He is also receiving positive reviews from his team as he considers what he needs and practices it through actions.
SSG said, "Aide Choo Shin-soo is not just an honorary position, but is actually working on supporting the team," adding, "We expect his experience to help the team run and foster players."
SSG's 2025 Season, Choo Shin-soo's Role Is Also Expected
Choo Shin-soo will stay in the U.S. until the end of SSG's spring camp to support the team and staff.
His goal is clear: to help players train in a better environment and to provide practical assistance to the management of the club. Even though he is retired as a player, he is still a "leader" himself in dedication to his team as a front desk player.
Baseball fans are paying attention to how his new role will affect SSG's success in the 2025 season.