Indians Insider: Military service in South Korea could interrupt Choo's big-league career

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Thursday's Frosty Mug
Published 7/24/2008 by KLSnow at Brew Crew Ball: Front Page Posts
... Here's a downer for your Thursday morning: Shin-Soo Choo is having the best year of his career in Cleveland, but still faces two years of military service in South Korea, starting in 2010 at the latest. Playing in the Olympics could have earned him an exemption, but he's ineligible because he's on a big league roster and out of options. ...

Morning Update: Choo's Military Problem Could Halt Career
Published 7/24/2008 by noreply@blogger.com (npc29) at The Tribe Time Report
... It's looking more and more likely that Shin-Soo Choo will be factored out of the Tribe's equation by a greater beeing. As ...

Gotta Serve Somebody, Shin-Soo Choo
Published 7/24/2008 by Camp Tiger Claw at Walkoff Walk
... How is he dealing with this impending doom as it inches closer and closer? The same way I would. He's totally ignoring it until something awful happens. ...

Indians’ Choo In South Korean Military By 2010?
Published 7/24/2008 by Matt Sussman at SPORTSbyBROOKS
... THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER notes that Choo must fulfill a homeland obligation of two years in the South Korean military , with the enlisting deadline being 2010. Much like the Splendid Splinter, Choo might have to miss some of his most productive years. Certainly this may be his biggest roadblock between himself and 500 home runs and a .344 career average. Choo notes that he could loophole out of the two-year agreement if he wins an Olympic medal made out of some sort of metal. But the country doesn’t allow participants to be on an MLB 25-man roster, and it’s unlikely the ...

South Korean Military Awaiting Choo’s Arrival?
Published 7/24/2008 by Scott at WaitingForNextYear
... for Shin-Soo Choo, where more than 80 percent(!) of you said to either let him ride, or give him a contract extension.  He’s since started hitting the ball very well; getting on base and driving in runs.  But with that said, would this force you to change your mind? Choo, a South Korean, must serve two years in the military. He says the deadline for entering the military is 2010. “I try not to think about it,” he said before the Indians’ 14-11 loss to the Angels on Wednesday. Two years.  By 2010.  Meaning that one of our young, run-producing outfielders may have to forgo his ...

Military Service Looms in Choo's Future
Published 7/25/2008 at FanHouse
... has more on his mind than most 26-year-old big leaguers. As a native of South Korean, he's obligated to spend two years serving in his home country's military, and he must begin his service by 2010. From Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via ...