A '42-Year-Old Left Fielder's' Fantastic Throw... "I Was a 'Defensive Fairy 20 Years Ago'"

[Anchor]

In Game 2 of the professional baseball playoffs yesterday (October 27), Samsung's 42-year-old veteran Choi Hyeong-woo shone with a stellar performance. Following a clinching home run and a brilliant throw, Samsung manager Park Jin-man solidified his intent to continue deploying Choi as a left fielder.

Reporter Yu Byeongmin has the story.

[Reporter]

Left out of the starting lineup for Game 1, Choi was put in as the starting left fielder in yesterday's Game 2 to bolster the team's offensive power after Samsung suffered a lethargic loss in the opener.

Putting on a glove in postseason baseball for the first time in eight years, Choi allayed the nervous hearts of Samsung fans and the coaching staff by cleanly handling a fly ball in the first inning, before producing a breathtaking moment in the sixth.

He caught Castro's hit off the left-center field wall and gunned down the runner at second base with an accurate throw.

As he added the "oldest assist" to his countless all-time records, his astonished teammates joked that they would get him the commemorative ball, but Choi himself wore a carefree expression.

[Choi Hyeong-woo / Samsung outfielder: "Defensive fairy" was my nickname even 20 years ago. It's nothing new. Even I have to admit I did well. It was good, it was perfect. I threw (the commemorative ball) away. There's no need for that.]

Driving fans wild once more with a clinching home run in the seventh inning, Choi looked somewhat burdened at the thought of playing left field at Champions Field where Game 3 will take place.

[Choi Hyeong-woo / Samsung outfielder: The ballpark seems to get a bit bigger now, so I hope (the manager) makes a good judgment.]

Manager Park Jin-man's thoughts were firm.

[Park Jin-man / Samsung manager: Choi Hyeong-woo will have a lot of things to do. Defense included.]

[Choi Hyeong-woo / Samsung outfielder: Really? I think I'm going to start feeling nervous starting tonight.]

Choi intends to enjoy this current tension for even longer.

[Choi Hyeong-woo / Samsung outfielder: I'll do my absolute best and head over there so I can show you how we keep our postseason alive.]

(Video editing: Park Jung-sam)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.