Seo Geon-chang

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Seo Geon-chang (born August 22, 1989) is a South Korean professional baseball infielder who is currently playing for the Kia Tigers of the KBO League. [1] Seo is the first (and only) player in KBO history to have recorded 200 hits in a season.

Seo graduated from Gwangju Jeil High School. [2]

He debuted in the KBO League with the LG Twins in 2008, but was released after only having one at-bat in the KBO. He then left professional baseball to fulfill his compulsory military service. After the completion of his service, Seo tried out with the Nexen Heroes, eventually making it back to the KBO in 2012, when he won the KBO League Rookie of the Year Award. [3]

In 2014 Seo had a league-record 201 hits to go along with a league-leading batting average of .370. He also set single-season records for runs scored, 135, and triples, 17. He won the KBO League Most Valuable Player Award for the 2014 season. [4] With his MVP award, Seo became the second KBO player (after Hyun-jin Ryu) to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. [4]

Seo played for the South Korea national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

He was traded to the LG Twins in 2021, and moved to KIA Tigers in 2024 season.

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References

  1. Yoo Jee-ho (October 8, 2013). "Nexen walks off on Doosan to open KBO postseason". Yonhap .
  2. Keh, Andrew. "School Spirit May Be Metaphysical for South Korean Baseball Players," New York Times (Oct. 2, 2015).
  3. KIM HYO-KYUNG, PARK SO-YOUNG. "Military service looms over KBO," Korea Joong-Ang Daily (April 16, 2019).
  4. 1 2 Kwon Ji-youn. "Seo Geon-chang named MVP," Korea Times (2014-11-18).
Seo Geon-chang
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Kia Tigers – No. 58
Second baseman
Born: (1989-08-22) August 22, 1989 (age 34)
Gwangju, South Korea
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
KBO debut
July 23, 2008, for the LG Twins