Former Major League Baseball first baseman Ji-man Choi will enlist in the South Korean military on May 15, his agency Sports Vibe announced Friday. Choi, who turns 34 four days after his enlistment date, spent his entire professional career in the United States after signing with the Seattle Mariners out of high school in 2009, according to a Yonhap News report published April 25.
He made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2016 and later played for the New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Diego Padres.
Was there a more joyful #Rays player than Ji-Man Choi??
HIS ENERGY WAS UNREAL pic.twitter.com/9axSyNB8Ft
— Rays The Roof (@RaysTheRoofTB) March 3, 2025
Choi’s most productive stretch came with Tampa Bay, where he set career highs with 19 home runs and 63 RBI in 2019. In 2020, he became the first South Korean position player to appear in the World Series during the pandemic-shortened season.
After the 2022 season, Choi was traded to Pittsburgh, appearing in 23 games before being traded to San Diego in August 2023. He later signed with the New York Mets in February 2024 but was released four months later without making a big-league appearance.
Over his Major League career, Choi played in 525 games, posting a .234/.338/.426 slash line with 67 home runs and 238 RBI.
“Even while playing overseas for a long time, Choi Ji-man never forgot his responsibility as a South Korean citizen to complete his military service duty,” Sports Vibe said in a statement. “He has decided to enlist in the military to honor his pledge with his fans.”
There had been speculation that Choi might attempt to sign with a club in Japan or Taiwan to delay his military obligation, but that never materialized. After completing his service, Choi is expected to pursue a career in the Korea Baseball Organization, with the SSG Landers — his hometown club — likely among those interested.
New York Mets’ Ji Man Choi doubles during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
