Dong-won Choi

From BR Bullpen

Dong-won Choi (최동원)

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 10", Weight 209 lb.

School Yonsei University

Born May 24, 1958 in Busan South Korea

Dong-won Choi was one of the top hurlers in the first decade of the Korea Baseball Organization.

Choi pitched in 7 of South Korea's 10 games in the 1978 Amateur World Series, going 4-2 with a 2.97 ERA and a save. He fanned 45 and allowed only 17 hits in 33 1/3 IP. He tied for the most wins (even with Shigekazu Mori) and saves in the Series and led in strikeouts (5 ahead of runner-up Mori). He helped South Korea win a Bronze Medal. In the 1980 Amateur World Series, he helped Korea win their first Silver Medal in the history of the event, which he led with 43 strikeouts.

Choi was offered a deal from the Toronto Blue Jays but did not sign with them. He pitched in the 1982 Amateur World Series, and helped them win a Gold Medal, the only time through 2008 that they have done so in the Series or its successor, the Baseball World Cup.

Choi began his professional career with the 1983 Lotte Giants, going 9-16 with 4 saves and a 2.89 ERA. In 1984, he had a career year, going 27-13 with 6 saves and a 2.40 ERA. He allowed 229 hits and fanned 223 in 284 2/3 IP. He led the league in wins and strikeouts. He was three wins shy of Hiroaki Fukushi's KBO record and was named the Korea Baseball Organization MVP. He helped Lotte win the 1984 Korean Series.

In 1985, Choi went 20-9 with eight saves and a 1.92 ERA, giving up only 170 hits in 225 innings. He was .22 behind Dong-yeol Sun for the ERA lead. During 1986, Dong-won had a 19-14, 1.55 record with two saves, giving up 204 hits and fanning 208 in 267 innings. Sun easily beat him out for the ERA crown as he was under 1 that year.

Choi went 14-12 with two saves and a 2.81 ERA in 1987. He led the league with 163 strikeouts. In 1988, he went 7-3 with 3 saves and a 2.05 ERA. Choi moved to the Samsung Lions in 1989 and was 1-2 with a 2.10 ERA. He wrapped up in 1990, going 6-5 with a save and a 5.28 ERA.

Through 2005, Choi ranked among the all-time KBO leaders in complete games (80), innings (1,414 2/3, 19th), losses (74, tied for 23rd), saves (26, tied for 40th), shutouts (8, tied for 10th), strikeouts (1,019, 18th), wins (103, 15th) and ERA (2.46, 2nd to Sun, but 1.26 behind that legendary hurler).

Choi returned to baseball in 2005 as pitching coach for the Hanwha Eagles; he had previously worked as a baseball commentator on TV. He then managed Hanwha's minor league team from 2006-2008.