Shin-Soo Choo
A patient and powerful hitter who carved out a long MLB career, becoming the first Korean player to join the elite 20-20 club.
Born 1982 (age 44)·South Korean baseball player·Birthday: July 13·Millennials
Biography
Shin-Soo Choo's journey to Major League Baseball was one of steady determination and refined skill. Leaving his native South Korea as a teenager, he signed with the Seattle Mariners and embarked on the grueling path through the minors. His breakthrough came with the Cleveland Indians, where he blossomed into a complete offensive threat, blending a keen eye for pitches with surprising power and speed. Choo was a model of consistency, regularly posting high on-base percentages and becoming a fixture at the top of lineups. His career, which spanned 16 MLB seasons, was defined by a disciplined approach that made him one of the most respected Asian-born hitters of his generation, paving the way for others and setting a high bar for all-around performance.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Shin-Soo was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Shin-Soo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Shin-Soo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first Korean-born MLB player to record a 20-20 season (20 home runs and 20 stolen bases) in 2009.
- Led the American League in times on base (317) and hit-by-pitches (26) during the 2013 season.
- Finished his MLB career with 218 home runs, holding the record for most by an Asian-born player for several years.
- Signed a seven-year, $130 million contract with the Texas Rangers in 2014, at the time the largest deal for an Asian-born position player.
Did You Know?
He completed his mandatory South Korean military service by helping the national team win gold at the 2010 Asian Games.
He is one of only five players in MLB history to have a season with at least 20 home runs, 20 stolen bases, and 20 hit-by-pitches.
His nickname, 'Elvis', was given to him by a minor league teammate because they thought he resembled Elvis Presley.
“My job is to get on base, to start something for the team.”
