Choi`s Homer Shows Big League Play

Hee Choi hit a home run in the second inning, a celebration, only to have his second line drive sucked into a glove in the third. In the seventh, he walked to first base on a hit-by- pitched ball. In the ninth, however, he hit a double. Choi was two for four with two hits and two RBIs. The 7-2 victory went to the Chicago Cubs.

Choi and Patterson now jointly lead the Cubs with the most home runs for the team. Choi`s batting average has now risen from 0.247 to 0.249.

Yesterday`s two run homer flew the furthest distance of Choi’s seven home runs this season. For the past three away games, he was just one for eleven. In this respect, the two-run homer and double meant something special for the Korean player.

"I’ve got to figure out the reason for my slump,” Choi said before the game. “I will show you the solution on the ground." And he did. Instead of bending his knees, he stood straight up, and moved his right leg more smoothly.

MBC sports commentator Huh Goo-yon analyzed that "in the past, Choi unnecessarily held his bat up frequently. I didn`t see the move at all this time. His batting has become much more streamlined these days."

He has also become much more aggressive on the plate. When he hit a two-run homer, he had given it his all following the first pitch from Ruben Quevedo, which was a ball. He hit three consecutive foul balls, turning the ball count against him. Nonetheless, he punched the 145 km fastball dead center, over the fence. He used to wait for the "good, easy" balls when in a slump. Not this time, though.

His defense was also quite impressive. When the second baseman threw him a bad ball, while going for a double play, he did not miss out on any of the action. In the bottom of the fifth, he also smoothed out irregular bouncing balls in his direction.

Choi has demonstrated stability in offense and defense, putting him one more step ahead of his "team-rival" Eric Karros.

Chang Jeon jeon@donga.com