Choi Hee Sup Expected to be "Great Pillar "

Has Big Choi harmonized with last year’s World Series champion Florida Marlins?

Big Choi (25), who slipped on the Marlins jersey, hit a double in his first at-bat in the opening exhibition spring training game.

Florida Marlins played against the University of Miami in an exhibition game on March 4 at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida.

The sixth batter in the lineup as well as the starting first baseman, Choi Hee-seop played as a starting player against the opposing pitcher Alex Blanco and connected on the first

pitch to stroke a double to left field. He unleashed a clean hit from a low outside pitch which landed past third base.

As the following batters walked, Choi moved to third base and finally came home as teammate Juan Pierre slapped an infield hit.

In the third inning with one out and a batter at third base, Choi`s second at-bat was also

impressive. Choi swung lightly and lofted a sacrifice fly to drive in the runner from third. It showed him as a reliable core hitter of the team.

Choi, who was perfect in two at-bats with a double and a run scored, was relieved in the fourth inning. The Marlins, who used wood bats, defeated Miami which used aluminum bats with a score of 7-6. After the game, Choi commented, "I was very happy to hit a double in my first at-bat. I`ll exert myself until the end of the season.” The coach complimented in Korean, "Doing good."

At the day of the game, head coach Jack McKeon sent out his best players, including Louis Castillo and Miguel Cabrera, and he also sent in Choi as the starting first baseman and sixth in the lineup. On the other hand, Choi’s first base rival, Wil Cordero, batted seventh in the lineup as the right fielder and walked on four balls earlier and in the third inning was switched. Choi Hee-seop, who hit a homer which flew out of the stadium and broke a car window during batting practice the day before, also hit another home run which landed on top of a car roof as he receives strong praise on his long strokes from the head coach. Choi will participate in the second exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 5 after traveling to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com