KIA Tigers veteran Choi Hyung-woo (40) smiled big after becoming the oldest Golden Glove winner ever.
Choi Hyung-woo was selected as the winner of the designated hitter category at the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Golden Glove Awards held at the COEX Auditorium in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 13th.
Choi garnered 137 votes out of 288 valid votes, beating over Kang Baek-ho (91 votes) and Kim Jae-hwan (Doosan, 60 votes) to receive the final award. The share of votes was 47.6 percent.
It is the seventh time that Choi has held the Golden Glove in his arms. Choi received the Golden Glove in the Outfielder category in 2011, 2013-2014, and 2016-2017. He also won the Golden Glove in the designated hitter category this year following 2020.
In addition, Choi broke the record of winning the oldest Golden Glove award, marking a new page in KBO league history. The previous record was 40 years, 5 months and 18 days for Lee Dae-ho (former Lotte Giants) who was designated as the designated hitter in the 2022 season. Choi set a new record of winning the oldest Golden Glove award by embracing the Golden Glove at 40 years, 11 months and 27 days, about six months later than Lee Dae-ho.
Despite his 41-year-old age, Choi Hyung-woo played in 116 games this year with a batting average of 0.280 (119 hits in 425 at-bats), 22 home runs, 109 RBIs, 67 runs and one stolen base, and an on-base percentage of 0.361 slugging percentage of 0.499 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage).
More than anything, he flew so fast in a big game. During his four appearances in the Korean Series, Choi contributed to Kia's overall win by playing a batting average of 0.333, four RBIs and 1.012 OPS, including one homer. Choi has set the record of the oldest player to play in the Korean Series, as well as the record of the oldest hit, RBI and homerun, all of which were set by himself.
Immediately after winning the award, Choi Hyung-woo said, "I'd like to thank everyone who allowed me to come and stand here again despite my old age," adding, "I think I had a perfect year, but I think I was able to perform well with the players and fans. Thank you for your passionate support. I'm so grateful to my wife and children who try not to stress them out as much as possible, and I love them." Choi Hyung-woo also said, "Our country is so hard, but I hope baseball fans are happy when they play."
In an interview with reporters after the award ceremony, Choi said, "I would never have imagined that I would be back here again," smiling cheerfully. "I am so nervous whenever I get the Golden Glove award, and it is such an amazing occasion. I also brought along our Kia players." Someone said, "I will break the record (of winning the oldest Golden Glove award), but I just beat (Lee) Dae-ho." Then, Choi innocently shouted, "I beat Lee Dae-ho" as if he were a child, giving a big smile. I could feel the joy intact.
Asked if he still has any lingering effects of winning the championship, Choi said smiling, "No, but that doesn't last that long. Everyone is now committed to exercising at the Champions Field." "As I get older, I shouldn't rest for long. Then it takes me a long time to get back into shape. I need to exercise even a little bit to maintain my physical strength. I felt that way about four years ago. Last year, I injured my collarbone and took about three to four months to build up my body. That's why I exercise whenever I have time." 안전놀이터
What kind of plans does Choi have for his active career? He said, "I don't have such plans. First of all, I'm always playing with the mindset that next year is the last." To be honest, I don't have much regrets about baseball anymore. It's not that I won't play baseball hard, but it means that I'm satisfied to some extent. I really like this baseball life that I've lived. I'm satisfied, and I will continue to enjoy it. I think this is the last time every year. Then I quit if it doesn't work, and if it works out, I keep going," he said sincerely.