Choo Sets Korean Record in Majors
By Matt Flemming
Staff Reporter
Choo Shin-soo of the Cleveland Indians hit his 16th home run of the season Monday to set the record for most home runs in a season by a Korean player.
Choo's solo blast came off Minnesota Twins starter Carl Pavano in the fourth inning of the Indians' 6-3 loss.
The 27-year-old surpassed the home run totals of former Los Angeles Dodger and current Kia Tiger Choi Hee-seop, who hit 15 in 2004 and 2005.
Choo went wide to left field with the score 2-0 after a two-run shot by Indians left fielder Trevor Crowe in the previous inning.
The Busan native tied Choi's mark, and set a then career-high, on Saturday with his 15th of the year against the Kansas City Royals.
Earlier in the season, it appeared as if Choo would reach the mark sooner. However, over a 53-game span up until Saturday's game, he had homered only once.
The right fielder has still been hitting well, even if the ball hasn't been leaving the yard. He leads the Indians with 78 RBIs, and is batting .301 in his first full season in the majors.
Indians manager Eric Wedge, when asked about Choo's slump during July and August, said he wasn't concerned because Choo has shown discipline at the plate, and has avoided hurting his swing by always swinging for the fences.
While the South Korean is having a breakout year and has solidified his position in the heart of the batting order, the Indians have continued to struggle, looking as if they're simply going through the motions.
Against the Twins on Monday, the Indians took a 3-0 lead into the eighth inning thanks to a gem from starter Jeremy Sowers, but the bullpen let the Tribe down.
Michael Cuddyer hit a three-run homer to tie it and the Twins added three more before closer Joe Nathan came in to notch his 39th save.
The Indians are fourth in the American League Central Division with a record of 61-82, 16 games back of the division-leading Detroit Tigers.