MLB Hall of Fame’s First Korean Face? Korean Baseball Legend Makes History

Choo Shin-soo, currently serving as an advisor for the SSG Landers, is on track to become the first Korean player to be eligible for the Major League Baseball (MLB) Hall of Fame.

On January 22 (KST), MLB Network highlighted Choo as one of the players eligible for the 2026 Hall of Fame ballot. The network revealed a list of 13 candidates on social media and 9 on its official video platform, with Choo making both lists.

Other notable players mentioned include Ryan Braun, Edwin Encarnación, and Cole Hamels. This recognition marks a significant milestone in Choo's illustrious career.

Having debuted with the Seattle Mariners in 2005, Choo played 16 MLB seasons until 2020. Over 1,652 games, he accumulated a .275 batting average, 218 home runs, 782 RBIs, and a .377 on-base percentage. He is also celebrated for achievements such as three 20-20 seasons and a record-setting 52-game on-base streak with the Texas Rangers in 2018.

While Choo lacks major accolades like a World Series title or individual awards, his inclusion on the ballot alone is groundbreaking for Korean baseball.

The Hall of Fame voting process is rigorous, requiring a 75% vote threshold for induction. Candidates with less than 5% lose eligibility in subsequent years. Past Asian players like Hideo Nomo (1.1%) and Hideki Matsui (0.9%) failed to meet this threshold in their first year, while Ichiro Suzuki was inducted on his first attempt with an overwhelming 99.75%.

Regardless of the outcome, Choo’s nomination as the first Korean candidate is a historic achievement, underscoring his impact on the sport both in Korea and abroad.