Inside The Rays

Former Tampa Bay Rays Slugger Set to Join South Korean Military, Hopes to Coach with Team

Jiman Choi, who spent parts of eight years in the big leagues, is hoping to play in the KBO once his mandatory service is done. He also hopes to eventually coach with the Rays, according to a report from Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
Brady Farkas|
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi (26) ready on the field against the Cleveland Guardians in the fifth inning during game one of the Wild Card series for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field.
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi (26) ready on the field against the Cleveland Guardians in the fifth inning during game one of the Wild Card series for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. | David Richard-Imagn Images

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Tampa Bay Rays

Former Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jiman Choi is putting his baseball career on hold, as he'll join the South Korean military for the next 21 months. A mandatory obligation for Korean men since 1957, Choi hopes to play in the KBO in 2027, when he'll be 36 years old.

Men are supposed to complete their service between the ages of 18 and 35, but Choi had his service pushed back so he could start his pro career. Reports indicate that Choi will not have a combat role within the military. He will be able to train and workout, according to Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times. Topkin also reports that Choi eventually wants to coach with the Rays.

An eight-year major league veteran, Choi originally signed with the Seattle Mariners in 2009. He made his major league debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2016 and then proceeded to play for the New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets.

He had the most success with the Rays, spending parts of 2018-2023 in Tampa Bay. He hit 52 homers in Tampa, including a career-high 19 in 2019. He helped the Rays reach the World Series in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The Rays lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Choi having 16 RBIs in 42 games that season.

He's a career .234 hitter.

As for the current Rays, they'll be in action on Wednesday night agains tthe Philadelphia Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field. First pitch is 7:05 p.m. ET.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas covers baseball for "On SI'' on the Sports Illustrated platform and is managing editor of "Fastball on SI,'' "Minor League Baseball on SI' and ''Seattle Mariners on SI.'' Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University.

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