During the season, I greeted in Korean at first base.”
Choi Ji-man (Pittsburgh Pirates) confessed that he once had a conversation at first base with Tommy Edman (St. Louis Cardinals), who will be the main second baseman for the WBC national team. Choi Ji-man made this announcement while leaving for LA on the 8th. Choi Ji-man’s impression of Edmund was very good.
Edman was born to a Korean mother and an American father. As a Korean-American, he puts the Taegeuk mark on the upcoming WBC. It is a unique rule of this tournament that a player chooses the nationality of his or her parents or grandparents to join the WBC team, but this is the first time Korea has used it.
Edmund boasts excellent defense enough to receive the National League second baseman Gold Glove in the 2021 season. He was nominated last year as well, though he failed to win. Expectations are high that he will build an all-time keystone combination with Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres), who was nominated for the National League shortstop Gold Glove last year. 토토
Moreover, unlike other big leaguers of Korean origin, Edmund had a strong desire to join the Korean national team from the beginning. Influenced by his mother, he seems to have some understanding of Korean culture. Choi Ji-man said, “Edman spoke Korean to some extent. He talked about the WBC.”
Defensive organization is the promised movement and talking. There is a big difference between Edmund knowing how to speak a little Korean and not. Choi Ji-man said, “Edman is a good player. He will be a good match for Ha-Sung Kim. (Shortstop and second base) are important positions.”
Edmund’s adaptation is also an important part for Choi Ji-man. Because he underwent elbow surgery last fall, joining the national team has not been finalized. However, if he safely joins the national team with the consent of Pittsburgh, the player who will receive the most throws from Edmund is first baseman Choi Ji-man. Choi Ji-man is also a first baseman with good defense.
With the addition of Edmund, the center infield of the WBC national team, and furthermore, the center line, is expected to exert its greatest power in the history of the Korean national team. In particular, the importance of short-term defense is considerable. Even when Korea won the semifinals in 2006 and runners-up in 2009, they showed off their solid defense. The combination of Kim Ha-seong and Edman raised expectations for this national team.