Choo Shin-soo (41, SSG) is being beaten. Choo Shin-soo recently said on a Korean radio show in the US, “If there are juniors who are watching the irrational part, you have to take off your feet. But no one is stepping out. Be a voice and be helpful. But everyone is watching,” he said. This is a remark about An Woo-jin, who was not selected for the WBC list.

Choo Shin-soo said of Ahn Woo-jin, 안전놀이터 “There are many things I don’t understand. I’m not trying to cover this player. He obviously did something wrong. As a third person, it’s really sad. It seems that forgiveness is not easy in Korea. He repented of his mistakes, was punished, and was suspended from participating. I have a lot to say about not being able to participate in international competitions… .”

I have consistently opposed witch-hunts against specific people. Through ‘a sophisticated disciplinary system, not a witch hunt, comes first (Choi Ik-seong’s frontal breakthrough · July 26, 2021) , it was emphasized that a clear disciplinary level and a chance to recover if the punishment is paid. It has been pointed out that it is necessary not only to blame the players, but also to look at whether related associations such as the KBO, the Athletes’ Association, and the Han Eun-hoe are doing their job.

That’s why baseball seniors complained that they didn’t speak up. It may have been a small echo due to my weak power, but this time, top class Choo Shin-soo is being attacked indiscriminately by revealing his conviction.

I sympathize with and support Choo Shin-soo’s opinion. It is my opinion that Choo Shin-soo expressed his honest opinion without emotion. Other seniors should not just blame Ahn Woo-jin anymore, but should reveal their beliefs about social issues.

If the scale tilts to one side, you need to balance it. That’s how the whole baseball board develops. It is best not to have accidents, but incidents and accidents cannot exist where people gather. Choo Shin-soo was on the chopping block for drinking while in the US, but after receiving enough punishment, he returned to the field and played an active role. In comparison, Korea is not particularly tolerant of baseball players legally and socially.

Of course, An Woo-jin also had a problem. I also oppose unconditional advocacy.

At the end of last year, the Han Eun-hoe awarded An Woo-jin the Best Pitcher Award. It was the first award for Ahn Woo-jin, who had been neglected. Around that time, I suggested a clue to the answer through the column Since he made a good stage at the Haneunhoe, I suggested a clear apology rather than a simple thank you.

However, Ahn Woo-jin only listed his general impressions of the award, fading the position his seniors had created. I wonder what it would have been like if Ahn Woo-jin showed a sincere appearance from the awards ceremony and solved them one by one. It was an opportunity for An Woo-jin to take a step forward, but he failed to advance and retreated. Choo Shin-soo, feeling sorry for such a junior, went to support fire, but is currently being hit by countless stones.

Nonetheless, someone has to keep shouting to keep the social balance from tipping to one side. Witch hunts should be avoided. Society develops only when opinions collide on many issues. Choo Shin-soo has shown a lot of courage in the meantime. There are several precedents. His point about the backward locker room environment of domestic baseball stadiums is representative.

So Choo Shin-soo’s statement about his belief in Ahn Woo-jin is not a simple defense. I’m talking about the lagging behind in Korean baseball. It is an extension of the locker room point.

When Choo Shin-soo joined SSG two years ago, I foresaw that he would not be limited to just hitting home runs and getting hits. He assured that the whole of Korean baseball would develop. ‘Choo Shin-soo came to win? Through the article titled ‘That’s a grandiose delusion (March 30, 2021)’, he already emphasized that ‘the Choo Shin-soo effect can change the level and atmosphere of the entire team rather than the immediate performance, and furthermore, change the foundation of Korean baseball.’

I think Choo Shin-soo’s mention of Ahn Woo-jin and his beliefs are also a process toward the development of Korean baseball. There are still many prerequisites. The cold social gaze, the issue of social violence, and even the mature appearance of Ahn Woo-jin.

Nevertheless, I actively sympathize with and support Choo Shin-soo’s beliefs enough to fully understand them. Choo Shin-soo’s remarks this time are not the priority of defending An Woo-jin. This is because the story for the development of Korean baseball comes first.