Shin-Soo Choo’s greatest moments in a Texas Rangers uniform

Shin-Soo Choo’s greatest Texas Rangers moments: Breaking a homer record

Choo’s next big moment for the Texas Rangers would come a few years later, on May 26th of 2018.

In what would be a walk-off win for the Texas Rangers, the tally in the “W” column wasn’t the only story of the day.

Shin-Soo Choo’s walk-off home run broke the all-time home run record for Asian-born players, passing former Yankees great Hideki Matsui in the record books.

In typical Choo fashion, he was as humble as it came about the accomplishment, citing his career longevity as the reason why he broke the record.

“I am not a home run hitter. I’ve just played in this league a long time. That’s not my focus. Matsui only played ten years in the big leagues. If he had played longer, he would have more home runs than me. Somebody was going to break the record.”

Shin-Soo Choo may not have considered himself a top-tier slugger, but his career 218 home runs would say otherwise.

Shin-Soo Choo’s greatest Texas Rangers moments: First All-Star appearance

Shin-Soo Choo had never appeared in an All-Star game, until July 17, 2018.

At the time the All-Star break rolled around, Choo had a 47-game on-base streak going, which he would extend to 52-games on July 21st.

He also was sitting on a .293 batting average with 17 home runs and 42 driven-in through the season’s first 86 games.

Although Shin-Soo wasn’t a starter, he was still given an opportunity to play late in the game.

He came off the bench in the eighth inning, and slapped a single the other way in typical Choo fashion.

Choo would finish the 2018 season with a .264/.377/.434 slash line, adding 21 long balls and 62 RBIs to credit, as well as his first and only All-Star game.

The Texas Rangers would later name him the 2018 Player of the Year.

Shin-Soo Choo’s greatest Texas Rangers moments: Reaching 1,500 career hits

The soon-to-be 37-year old Choo’s career has a lot to look back on and be proud of, but on the night of April 4, 2019, he would add one more milestone to his already stacked resume.

Career hit 1,500 came early that night for Choo, as he lined a single to center field off of then-Los Angeles Angels starter Matt Harvey.

Choo’s milestone solidified his place as the greatest position players to ever come out of South Korea and in Asia.

Choo would later drop a double in to extend the Rangers lead and get them the win against a division rival, which he claims was more important than his milestone hit.

Sounds like he took a page out of Adrian Beltre’s book, doesn’t it?

Shin-Soo Choo’s greatest Texas Rangers moments: Giving back

The Texas Rangers’ longtime designated hitter was more than a clubhouse presence and good teammate, he was a great human being and that proved true early during the 2020 season.

In what would be the craziest baseball season we’ve seen to date, many were left without a paycheck across the country, including the minor leaguers.

Shin-Soo Choo wasted no time helping by donating $1,000 to 191 of the Texas Rangers’ minor league players.

Not only did Choo help his organizational teammates, but also made a $200,000 donation to Daegu, South Korea that had struggled mightily from the pandemic.

This was just the beginning of the 2020 season, and would be book-ended by another emotional moment for Shin-Soo Choo, his family and his Rangers’ family.

Shin-Soo Choo had been battling a right wrist injury since September 7, and had a difficult time even holding a bat.

With the season’s end in sight, Chris Woodward would not let the veteran, leader and incredible player that Choo was go down without a fight.

During the first-inning of the final game, Shin-Soo Choo stepped into the batter’s box for one last time.

With his family being shown on the big board, cheers from both dugouts, and the emotions welling up inside, he did what he had to do to go out on top.

He bunted.

Time seemed to slow down as the 38-year old barreled down the first base line, and then, the safe call was given.

Although, Choo stumbled over the base and ended up leaving the game with an ankle sprain, he went out on top.

Willie Calhoun would come in to pinch-run, and that would conclude the Texas Rangers career for Choo.

The Rangers would wind up winning the game 8-4, and sent Shin-Soo Choo home happy.

“I will never forget today. I know 2020 was a hard time for everybody in the world, but I think today, I will never forget this.” -Shin-Soo Choo

Now, Shin-Soo Choo has elected to go back home and signed with the KBO’s SK Wyverns.

We want to extend our best wishes to one of the most lovable players in the franchise’s history, and hope to see him back in Arlington soon.