Cleveland Indians' Shin-Soo Choo first Asian big-leaguer to achieve 20-20
By Paul Hoynes
October 04, 2009, 6:52PM
Shin-Soo Choo is the first Asian in MLB history to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a single season.
BOSTON -- Shin-Soo Choo said he felt relief, more than joy, about becoming the first Asian player to hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases in one season in the big leagues.
"There was a lot of stress," said Choo, who was not in the lineup for Sunday's season finale.
Choo hit his 20th homer in the seventh inning Saturday night, a two-run shot off Boston's Paul Byrd.
"He did it in style," said outgoing manager Eric Wedge. "He went the opposite way over The Green Monster. That's good stuff."
Choo finished with 20 homers and 21 steals.
"At the All-Star break I had 13 homers," Choo said. "I started thinking about hitting 20. Then I didn't hit one for like a month and a half. So I said it wasn't going to happen."
After hitting one homer in August, Choo's dreams of 20 were revived when he hit five in September.
"I wasn't trying to hit homers, but when I watched the video of my at-bats, my body was doing something different," Choo said.
Hitting coach Derek Shelton and first base coach Luis Rivera, fired along with Wedge on Wednesday, told Choo he was trying to pull the ball too much. They told him to try to hit the ball to left field.
It was good advice.
Choo is the 12th player in the big leagues to do 20-20 this year. He's the eighth Indian to do it in franchise history.
"I think this was good for my first full season in the big leagues," Choo said. "Last year I really only [played] a half season."
As for 2010, Choo said: "I think I can do better than this. Or I should say I hope I can do better?"
Choo ended the season hitting .300 (175-for-583) with 38 doubles, six triples, 20 homers and 86 RBI. The 20 homers and 86 RBI are team highs.
He said his goal for next year is to go 30-30. Grady Sizemore and Joe Carter are the only Indians to do 30-30.
"He has the potential to do that," Wedge said. "He's strong, very athletic and has terrific bat speed."
Choo said he will go Arizona, where he owns a home near the Indians' spring training facility in Goodyear, and then fly to South Korea.
"It's been a tough year," Choo said. "We've changed a lot of players. It seems like we lose almost every day. The confidence is not high.
"Next year has to be better."
