Choi Ji-man (32), who failed to participate in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), was greatly frustrated by the opposition of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The relationship with Pittsburgh was strained from the start due to the salary adjustment issue. 

The US local magazine ‘Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’ reported on the 7th (Korean time) that ‘Choi Ji-man expressed his dissatisfaction with not being allowed to participate in the WBC’ and that ‘the relationship between Choi Ji-man and the Pirates was not so good from the start’. 

The KBO announced on the 6th that Choi Ji-hoon (SSG) was selected as a replacement for the WBC national team player, Choi Ji-hoon. Initially, only Choi was included in the final 30-man entry, but the Taegeuk mark was misfired due to opposition from Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has expressed opposition to participating in the WBC Organizing Committee, citing Choi Ji-man’s elbow surgery. 

After returning to Korea in November last year, Choi Ji-man underwent surgery to remove a bone fragment in his right elbow. He expected that he would be able to participate in the WBC in March after undergoing a three-month rehabilitation rather than a major surgery. However, Pittsburgh, which brought Choi Ji-man through a trade, opposed it to the end, and the WBC Organizing Committee held an injury review committee and decided not to participate after deliberation. 

On this day, Choi Ji-man said through a domestic management company, “All athletes dream of running as a representative of the country with a national flag on their chest. He couldn’t tell how happy he was when he was included in the national team’s roster. However, as much as he had high expectations, he was very disappointed and frustrated with the decision not to make it.”

Choi Ji-man continued, “I had elbow surgery, which the team was concerned about, but returned to the United States and the normal rehabilitation process was going well. Until recently he had no problem with live betting. In addition to joining the national team scheduled for the middle of this month, he was improving his physical condition 먹튀검증well in line with the schedule for the first round held in Tokyo, Japan. He regretted that the disappointment was so great and it hurt.” 

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette also reported Choi Ji-man’s position and quoted Pittsburgh general manager Ben Sherington, saying, “Choi Ji-man underwent surgery to remove a bone fragment in his right elbow in November, but both he and the club said it would not have a significant impact in 2023.” . Regarding the elbow injury when recruiting Choi Ji-man through trade, general manager Sherington said, “It is a minor problem. He will rehabilitate and come back,” he said. It was an injury that was considered insignificant at the time, but it was used as a basis for preventing Choi Ji-man from participating in the WBC. 

Furthermore, the issue of salary adjustment has not been resolved. The Pittsburgh club offered 4.65 million dollars, but Choi Ji-man is asking for 5.4 million dollars. $750,000 difference. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said, ‘Choi Ji-man’s salary adjustment hearing is expected to be held the latest. It is unlikely that the two sides will be able to reach an agreement before the hearing, which continues until the 18th,” conveying the atmosphere of sharp confrontation.