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

With Shin-Soo Choo returning back to the KBO, it marks the end of one era and the beginning of the next. We remember some of his greatest moments in Texas.

As full squad workouts begin in Surprise for the Texas Rangers, there are a few notable names not in camp.

The trade of Elvis Andrus is a glaring hole in Rangers’ camp this year, but in more recent days, the news of Shin-Soo Choo going back home has left some heavy hearts in the Rangers’ community.

After signing his seven year, $170 million contract in 2014, Choo battled injuries and struggled in his first years in Arlington, but soon became a fan and clubhouse favorite.

After Adrian Beltre retired, Choo stepped up and helped lead a young Texas Rangers team, alongside Elvis Andrus, in a quiet manner.

Not only was Choo a silent leader, but a productive player, as well.

Shin-Soo Choo played in 799 games with the Texas Rangers, finishing his career with a .260/.363/.429 slash line, while adding 114 home runs and 355 RBIs.

Choo was at the forefront of the Rangers’ batting order, and also led the way for many Asian-born players.

He broke and set records for Korean-born players that may never be broken going forward.

Choo made his presence known in the Rangers’ lineup, and I know from a fan’s perspective, we will miss seeing him.

Let’s relive some of Shin-Soo Choo’s greatest moments in a Texas Rangers uniform, beginning in July of 2015.

Shin-Soo Choo’s greatest Texas Rangers moments: The cycle

In what would become a comeback season of sorts for Shin-Soo Choo in 2015, he would find himself on “Cycle Watch” against the Colorado Rockies.

In what would be an incredibly productive night for Choo and the Texas Rangers, he would go double, homer, single and would finish it off with the three-bagger to complete the cycle.

He also added three runs driven in to his efforts that night.

The cycle was much needed for Choo, as he was just 3-22 prior to that game.

He completed the ninth cycle in Texas Rangers’ history, following Alex Rios’ against Houston in 2013.

He also made history for all Asian players, as he was the first player born there to hit for the cycle.

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: 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.