Choi Hee-sup Will Start in Remaining 6 Games

Choi Hee-sup (23, photo) of Chicago Cubs in US Major League has snatched up an opportunity to show off his performance. Jim Hendry, Cubs’ owner, announced on September 24, 2002, “I will have Choi start in the remaining 6 games.”

Cubs have used Choi as a pitch hitter or a substitute, since Cubs had to give more opportunity for the first baseman McGriff to break a new record. On Sep. 23, McGriff recorded his season 30th homer, and, for the first time in Major League, made out a record: he has made out 5 different records of 30 homers with 5 different teams. Thus, Cubs are now free to put Choi in the starting lineup. Therefore, Hendry’s remarks are understood that, in preparation for the next season, the team will keep putting Choi in the starting lineup and thus give him opportunities to adjust himself to Major League. From Sep. 25, Cubs will have 6 home games in a row, taking on Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates. On Sep. 4, Choi was pulled up from the Minor League. In the last 18 games, he recorded 5 hits for 29 (Batting Avg. 0.172), 1 homer and 1 RBI. In the meanwhile, Arizona Diamondbacks, where Kim Byung-hyun plays, sustained a big damage in the Sep. 24th game against Cardinals. One of its start players, Louis Gonzales, who currently records the batting average of 0.288 along with 28 home runs and 103 RBI, collided with his teammate. In the collision, Gonzales had his shoulder displaced. Thus, Diamondbacks will face difficulty in winning the World Series in a row. Even though Diamondbacks lost the game, which came to a 4 losing streak, it is almost certain that they will get the first place in NL West. But if Gonzales becomes unable to play in the post-season, Arizona’s offense line will be dealt a heavy blow.

Arizona’s trainer confirmed, “If he overcomes quickly, it will take less than a week. But if it gets worse, he may not play throughout the rest of this season.” Kim did not play in the 24th game.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com