Samsung Lions veteran Choi Hyeong-woo achieved a major milestone by recording his 2600th career hit during the game against the Hanwha Eagles on April 14 at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park.
Milestone in the 7th Inning
In the bottom of the seventh inning of the original scheduled matchup, Choi (43) delivered a timely hit to center field, securing the historic 2600th hit. This marks only the second time a player has reached this mark in KBO League history, with Doosan Bears’ Son Ah-seop (38) holding the distinction as the first.
Son Ah-seop’s Path to 2600
Son notched his 2600th hit last July against an NC Dinos pitcher while with Hanwha. After entering free agency at the end of the previous season, he signed a one-year, 10 million won deal with Doosan. Despite entering his late 30s and earning the nickname ‘aging curve,’ Son maintains above-average performance and has avoided major injuries.
Hanwha had previously signed Son to a four-year, 100 million won free-agent contract to bolster offense. They targeted outfielder Kang Baek-ho, first baseman, and designated hitter roles, though public perception views him primarily as a specialist outfielder. The team also acquired sidearm pitcher Andrew Treidler but released him after one game due to contract disputes before trading for a card.
Recent Trade and Performance
Son joined Doosan on April 14 via trade, with Hanwha receiving right-hander Kim Kyung-moon and 15 million won in return. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon stated, “Son steadily accumulates big records no matter what. If a team needs a late-inning finisher based on 8th and 9th inning data, it will find him in the game.”
In his Doosan debut against SSG Landers, Son pinch-hit a home run in the fourth inning as the designated hitter. On the same day, Choi and Son combined for 19 hits across their games.
Choi’s Reflections
Choi reflected, “Reaching 2600 hits feels significant, but if it includes long balls, it’s closer to a slugger’s record. I’m not chasing big milestones; I’m focused on contributing to team wins with maximum effort.”
He added, “The greatest feeling is still competing. No matter what comes, I’m pushing hard. Today, many ball-nets appeared, but it was a hidden gem of a game. I struck out but pitched, and I’ll concentrate more next time to bring joy to passionate fans.”
Both players remain active contributors, with Son potentially climbing rankings further supported by Choi’s consistent output. If Son embarks on a home run streak, he could add 1-2 hits monthly to sustain his elite status.
