Veteran Outfielder Back with Former Team

Choi Hyung-woo, a 42-year-aged South Korean professional baseball outfielder, has returned to the Samsung Lions of the KBO League after a decade with the KIA Tigers. The move, finalized in December 2025 with a two-year free-agent contract worth up to 2.6 billion won, has generated significant buzz, with many experts predicting a strong season for the Lions.

A Long and Decorated Career

Originally drafted by Samsung in 2002, Choi Hyung-woo’s career began as a catcher before transitioning to outfielder during his time with the Police Baseball Team (2006-2007) while fulfilling his mandatory military service. He was named KBO Rookie of the Year in 2008. Throughout his career, he has earned six Golden Glove awards (2011, 2013-2014, 2016-2017, 2020) and twice led the league in batting average (2016, 2020), home runs (2011), and RBIs (2011, 2016). He was also a Korean Series champion in 2024.

In his most recent season (2025), Choi Hyung-woo maintained a .307 batting average with 24 home runs and 86 RBIs in 133 games.

Expectations High for 2026 Season

The return of Choi Hyung-woo has positioned the Samsung Lions as favorites to win the Korean Series. Manager Park Jin-man, who was a teammate of Choi Hyung-woo in 2005, expressed surprise and delight at the reunion, stating, “I never thought we’d meet again like this. I also didn’t know I’d come back to Samsung, and I never thought I’d be on the same team with Hyung-woo again.”

Teammate Kang Min-ho noted, “It’s really reassuring. This is our first time playing baseball together, and I once again felt why this person is still able to play actively. He gets a lot of exercise. Instead, he starts early and rests early. That’s why I thought this person still maintains his competitiveness.”

Reflecting on the Past

Choi Hyung-woo himself acknowledged the unexpected nature of his return, saying, “You really can’t know the connection between people,” and reminisced about the rigorous training during his earlier years with Samsung, recalling that the current training regimen feels easier in comparison. He also expressed emotional anticipation for his first at-bat, stating, “I can’t imagine how I felt when I got to bat,” and “I’m more worried about how I’m going to get into my first at-bat than the moment I win,” adding that he was already moved to tears.

FAQ

• How long was Choi Hyung-woo with the KIA Tigers? He played with the KIA Tigers from 2017-2025.
• What awards has Choi Hyung-woo won? He has won the KBO Rookie of the Year award, six Golden Glove awards, and twice led the league in batting average, home runs, and RBIs.
• What is Choi Hyung-woo’s current age? He is currently 42 years old (born December 16, 1983).