Envision a baseball diamond. It is not just any field but the hallowed grounds where Choi Dong-won showcased his extraordinary talent. Here in Seoul, let me tell you about Choi-dong.
Choi Dong-won was more than just a baseball player. He was a legend. His story is etched in the hearts of Korean baseball fans. He embodies the spirit of competition and perseverance.
Born in Busan in 1958, Choi Dong-won’s journey began with exceptional performances in his amateur career. In 1975, he threw a complete game no-hitter. This was against the 1974 national champion Kyungbuk High School. The next game he almost repeated the feat. An infield single broke it up in the ninth inning.
Choi led his team to win the Blue Dragon Flag National Championship in 1976. He set a high-school record. It was for most strikeouts in a major tournament game with 20. In the semifinal, he earned 4 out of the team’s 5 wins during the tourney.
He joined the South Korean junior national team in September 1976. He secured a one-run complete game victory in Game 1 against Japan. He also racked up another victory the very next day in Game 2.
Choi entered Yonsei University after graduating from high school. He played college baseball from 1977 to 1980. In November 1977, Choi was first called up to the South Korea senior baseball team. He played an important role in the team’s first world championship at the 1977 Intercontinental Cup in Nicaragua.
After graduating from Yonsei University in 1981, Choi signed with the Lotte amateur baseball team. In August 1981, Choi competed for South Korea in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup. He posted a 2–0 record and an ERA of 1.32. Choi pitched a perfect game with 11 strikeouts into the bottom of the ninth inning against Canada. He gave up a single. He was named the tourney’s Best Pitcher.
The Toronto Blue Jays showed strong interest after the 1981 Intercontinental Cup. They saw his potential to play in the big league immediately. However, the South Korean government intervened. They prevented him from joining the Blue Jays. They wanted him to play in the newly formed Korean professional league.
Choi joined the Lotte Giants in the first round of the 1983 KBO Draft. He had a respectable rookie season. He posted a 9–16 record and an ERA of 2.89 with 148 strikeouts.
Choi established himself in 1984. He had a breakout season for the Giants. He was 27–13 and ranked first in wins. He fanned a league-leading 223 batters during the season. In the 1984 Korean Series, the Giants beat the Samsung Lions in seven games. Choi started four times and threw four complete games. He finished the Series with a 4–1 record and an ERA of 1.80 in 40 innings pitched.
Choi pitched one of the finest games of his career in the 1987 season. On May 16, he completed a 15-inning game against the Haitai Tigers. He threw 209 pitches. The opposing pitcher, Sun Dong-Yeol, also completed the game. He ended up pitching 232 pitches.
Choi was traded to the Samsung Lions before the 1989 season. His career spiraled downward. After the 1990 season, Choi announced his retirement.
After retiring, Choi dabbled in politics. He studied baseball in New York. He did broadcasting work. He returned to baseball as a minor league manager for the Hanwha Eagles.
Choi died of colon cancer in 2011 at the age of 53. The Lotte Giants retired Choi’s squad number 11. He was portrayed in the film, Perfect Game.
Choi Dong-won’s legacy lives on. He remains an inspiration to baseball players and fans. He represents dedication and excellence.