By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, May 3 (Yonhap) — Choi Hyoung-woo of the Samsung Lions became the all-time hits leader in South Korean baseball with a four-hit effort Sunday.
Choi batted 4-for-4 against the Hanwha Eagles at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu to reach 2,623 hits for his career in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
Choi, 42, moved past Son Ah-seop of the Doosan Bears, who is stuck at 2,622 hits and is currently in the minor league.
The scoreboard at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu celebrates the Lions’ designated hitter Choi Hyoung-woo for becoming the all-time hits leader in Korea Baseball Organization history with 2,623 hits during a regular-season game against the Hanwha Eagles on May 3, 2026, in this photo provided by the Lions. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Son climbed to the top of the career leaderboard in June 2024 while playing for the NC Dinos. He has since been traded twice and was demoted to the minor league by the Bears last week. While Son has managed only four hits this year, Choi has delivered 37 hits to take over as the career leader.
Choi, who made his KBO debut in 2002 but didn’t become a regular until 2008, is also the all-time leader in doubles (548), RBIs (1,758) and total bases (4,483).
Son is also in danger of being passed by Kim Hyun-soo of the KT Wiz, who has 2,572 hits.
Choi Hyoung-woo of the Samsung Lions celebrates after becoming the all-time hits leader in Korea Baseball Organization history with his 2,623rd hit during a regular-season game against the Hanwha Eagles at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu on May 3, 2026, in this photo provided by the Lions. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
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