Choo in the Times

The New York Times has a profile of Shin-Soo Choo, a Rattler from 2002.

Indians’ Choo Is Thriving, but Duty Calls in South Korea

You know that one Steely Dan song that goes: And I'm never going back to my old school. Let's look inside the South Korean baseball high school that Choo attended.

As Choo described it at Progressive Field this week, he started a five-hour practice every morning at 7. More practice followed after an hour break. At 5 o’clock, the player-students broke for showers and dinner, then lifted weights from 9 to 10 p.m. They slept on campus and visited their families on Sundays.

Everything is going well for Choo right now. But, there is something else...

Choo, who came to Cleveland in a 2006 trade, has not resolved his immediate future. South Korean men must begin serving two years in the military between ages 18 and 30.

Choo, who turns 28 in July, could apply to become a United States citizen to avoid the military service, although he would almost certainly face a backlash from South Koreans.

The best path for Choo would be to earn an exemption by helping South Korea win the gold medal at the Asian Games this off-season. The South Koreans would be heavy favorites, because Japan does not use professionals in that tournament.

So, no pressure.