Choo playing in WBC, but sticking to DH for now

Amy K. Nelson does a nice and fairly in-depth story about Choo and his situation, with some great insight into his personality and development. I knew he was a converted pitcher, but I didn't realize that he basically had never even attempted to be a hitter at any level before 2001. My guess is that his quick adaptation to hitting and fielding was a significant part of why the Indians wanted him. The Indians acquired him just days after his 24th birthday, and as good as he already was at that point, he also had 10 to 15 years less experience swinging the bat than others his age.

As for the WBC, it appears that South Korea really does have the final decision on this, at least within Choo's wishes. Whatever examinations have been done and whatever discussions have occurred, the South Korean team has cleared Choo to play for the moment, while promising to use him only as a DH (at least for the first round). The Indians obviously would rather Choo at least return to the U.S. for an exam, but it looks like that isn't going to happen.

11 months ago Jay 28 comments 0 recs |

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Amy K. Nelson has a serious TribeCrush.

And, my tags were better.

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Mar 6, 2009 1:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but my link is better, and I also just wanted to get the latest news on Choo up to the top. I couldn’t do that with yours, for reasons that are both technical and kind of stupid.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 6, 2009 1:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Your link is certainly better. An entertaining read.

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Mar 6, 2009 1:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Watching Korea’s first game live in Hong Kong. Choo is batting sixth – In the first, he took a walk after fouling off a few 3-2 pitches. He scored when the next batter hit a grand slam. Unfortunately, the pitcher responsible for both the walk and the grand slam – Chen Lee – is also in the Indians organization. He left after getting one out, walking three and giving up six runs.

by cajones on Mar 6, 2009 5:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Fielder’s choice ground out for Choo in the 3rd.

by JRontherim on Mar 6, 2009 5:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

link doesn’t work

by Ryan Kelsey on Mar 6, 2009 8:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

it should work – at least it works for me

by APV on Mar 6, 2009 8:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Links should work.

Don't be stupid. PUT IN MELOAN.

by gte619n on Mar 6, 2009 8:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It works now for me.

by Ryan Kelsey on Mar 6, 2009 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Choo finished up 1-3 with a walk for anyone that cares. He looked good.

by Toxicadam on Mar 6, 2009 8:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Choo, whose arm is so strong other teammates break in their new gloves by playing catch with him

As if he needed to become a more mythological figure.

by Pronktastic on Mar 6, 2009 9:32 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

One thing to remember is that if the Koreans get through the first round, they’ll be playing the second in PETCO and practicing in Arizona. So either way, Choo should be accessible to the Indians staff shortly.

Does anyone know why MLB calls the nation officially known as the Republic of China “Chinese Taipei”? That’s a loaded phrase to the Taiwanese.

by FredOx on Mar 6, 2009 10:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m pretty sure the team called “Chinese Taipei” is Taiwan, not China. That’s what it’s called in the Olympics. It’s a political compromise — China would prefer that Taiwan doesn’t even have its own team, not seeing them as their own nation. It’s like if we had an unresolved dispute with Puerto Rico.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 6, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it’s the product of an IOC agreement, and one with which the ROC agrees. I misremembered.

by FredOx on Mar 6, 2009 11:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The people of Myanmar agree.

As General Manager of this team, I demand to know when I'm getting a start.

by bigbrabbs on Mar 6, 2009 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Didn’t bat at any level? Really? You have to bat in youth levels / high school in America, at least.

by joeee on Mar 6, 2009 11:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

That’s the claim. Maybe he batted as a small child. If you read the part about total focus on one sport, it kind of makes sense that the pitchers would never screw around with hitting.

The DH is the worldwide standard. It’s in every pro league except the NL, in every college conference, every high school, and even Little League for the most part.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 6, 2009 11:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah- though at those lower levels there is a lot of DH-ing for your SS or 3B or something instead of for your pitcher. I’ve always wanted to see an American League team try that with a really good hitting pitcher and a terrible hitting SS or 2B.

by Ryan Kelsey on Mar 6, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Think how stigmatizing that would be for the infielder, though.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 6, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Eric Wedge missed his opportunity to start Andy Marte at 3B and use the DH for him when CC was on the mound last year.

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Mar 6, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

That isn’t legal. In the AL, the DH may only bat for the pitcher.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Mar 6, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think I may be rooting for Korea in the off chance they grant the whole team military exemptions

by Roger Dorn on Mar 6, 2009 12:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

uh huh.

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Mar 6, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, absolutely. I’m very hopeful of this scenario coming to pass.

by NickFantana on Mar 6, 2009 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Continuing my habit of following the Choo WBC/injury news with WBC/injury news of future lineup-buddy Weglarz:

Nick Weglarz showed his sore ankle was fine by playing all nine innings in the outfield, moving from left to right in the seventh.

Here’s the link, but that’s all there is about NW.

I love that he’s batting third and starting in the OF for bat-heavy Canada.

by dgcambridge on Mar 6, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wow, Choo batting in a 14-2 game….thanks Korea for being reasonable.

by supermarioelia on Mar 7, 2009 7:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

But a 14-2 game against arch-rival Japan… I can’t feel mad about that. They were trying to avoid the humiliation of the mercy rule.

by still ill on Mar 7, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not buying it. Choo came to the plate in the 7th, score 14-2. They have to score three runs in order to avoid the mercy rule. And then Choo gets hit by a pitch. It’s bush-league.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 7, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs