Choo wins gold, possibly avoids military

[carrot]

Choo wins gold, possibly avoids military

Indians star leads South Korea to Asian Games championship

CLEVELAND -- Shin-Soo Choo has his gold medal. That should be enough for the Indians' star outfielder and

nine of his South Korean teammates to avoid their home country's required military service.

On Friday, South Korea defeated Taiwan, 9-3, to capture the gold in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China,

completing a quest to possibly become exempt from military conscription. Ten players from the team will avoid

the requirement, so Choo using his bat to win gold may turn out to be a way out of the obligation.

"I am kind of dreaming right now," Choo told Korean reporters. "Honestly, if [I told you] I didn't think about the

military service, I might be a liar. But it wasn't the primary reason to join in national team. I love baseball, and

whenever I put the national flag on the shoulder, I am really proud of my nation and myself.

Shin-Soo Choo hugs Sihyun Son (No. 13) after Korea beat Taiwan for the gold medal in the Asian Games. (Richard Heathcote/Getty)

"That's why I want to play [for] this team. I am representing all the Korean baseball players." In the gold medal game

 against the defending champs from Taiwan, Choo went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Over five games in

the tournament, Cleveland's budding star hit at a .571 (8-for-14) clip with three home runs, six walks, eight runs

scored and 11 RBIs for South Korea.

Along the way, South Korea went undefeated to reclaim the gold it also won in 2002 and 1998.

"I'm very happy for him," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "He is a proud man who cares a lot about winning. Now

South Korea is on top of Asian baseball, and he can continue to make them proud with his accomplishments in MLB."

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti was impressed with how Choo performed, considering the very unique

 circumstances.

"It's hard to imagine a more presure-filled environment than playing under the circumstances Choo was playing in,"

Antonetti said. "It's certainly a great accomplishment for him and Team Korea to win the gold medal at a very

competitive tournament and to perform exceptionally well in helping lead Team Korea to the gold."

That said, the Indians have not received an official declaration from the Korean Baseball Office concerning the status

of Choo's military requirment. Antonetti said he anticipates hearing from Korean Baseball officials soon and the

Tribe's GM fully expects Choo to be exempt from the mandate.

"We have not received official word from the K.B.O. that he's been granted a military exemption," Antonetti said.

"But, based upon our understanding prior to the Asian Games, as well as past precedent, it's our understanding

that Choo's military obligation will be waived."

According to the Korea Times, 10 players from the team will receive an exemption from 30 months of military

conscription for capturing a gold medal in the Asian Games. All able-bodied South Korean men are required to

serve two years in the military by the end of their 30th year.

With the gold in hand, and the possibility of Choo being fitted for a military uniform seemingly removed, attention

can be turned on the Indians' attempt to sign the outfielder to a contract extension. Choo -- a client of agent

Scott Boras -- is eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter, but Cleveland plans on exploring a long-term deal.

Choo, who turned 28 in July, hit .300 with 22 home runs, 90 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 144 games. The outfielder

became the only Indians player since 1901 to record a .300 average and at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in

 consecutive seasons.

Considering the Indians control Choo's contractual rights through 2013, there is no real reason to rush into a deal.

The Indians are also working with a limited budget this winter. Antonetti said, however, that he plans on meeting

with Boras this offseason to continue dialogue about a long-term deal.

"It's certainly something that we'll explore," Antonetti said. "I think it's important to remember that Choo is under

club control for the next three years, but we'll certainly look at the opportunity to extend that relationship beyond

that. "We certainly value him and are hopeful that he'll be a Cleveland Indian for quite a long time."