‘Living legend’ Choi Hyung-woo (KIA) made history by becoming the oldest player ever to be named Mr. All-Star (MVP) in the KBO All-Star Game.
Choi Hyung-woo started as the No. 6 designated hitter for the Nanum All-Stars (KIA-LG-NC-Hanhwa-Kiwoom) in the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO All-Star Game at SSG Landers Field in Incheon, South Korea, on June 6 and went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs, two RBIs and one run scored.
Behind Choi’s performance, the Nanum All-Stars defeated the Dream All-Stars (Doosan-Samsung-SSG-Lotte-KT) 4-2 in the championship game. The Nanum All-Stars have won their last three consecutive All-Star Games.
Choi swept the post-game press poll with 19 of the 21 total votes, beating out Austin Dean (LG-2) by a comfortable margin, to be named Mr. All-Star and receive a cash prize of 10 million won and a trophy.
Choi, who was named Mr. All-Star at the age of 40 years, 7 months, and 4 days, broke the record for the oldest MVP of an All-Star Game, which was held by current Samsung second team manager Lee Byung-gyu in 2011 (36 years, 9 months, and 11 days),
Choi led off the top of the second inning with a solo home run in the middle of the inning, giving him an early advantage in the MVP race. Then, in the top of the eighth inning with a 3-2 lead, Choi lined a single to right field with the bases loaded to seal the deal.
“Honestly, I came here feeling embarrassed because I’m so old,” Choi said after the awards ceremony, “but it would be nice if the younger players could feel that they can come out and do something like this even when they’re older.”
In his first KBO All-Star Game appearance in 12 years, Ryu Hyun-jin (Hanwha) pitched a perfect first inning for the Nanum All-Stars, earning the win and the Outstanding Pitcher Award (3 million won).
Dream All-Star David McKinnon (Samsung) was named the Most Valuable Hitter after going 2-for-3 with a home run, two doubles, two RBIs and one run scored. Nanum All-Star Na Sung-beom (KIA) won the Outstanding Defense Award (3 million won). LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop took home the Winning Manager’s Award (3 million won) for his leadership of the Nanum All-Stars.
The most coveted award, the Best Performance Award (3 million won), went to Dream All-Star Hwang Sung-bin (Lotte). Hwang Sung-bin appeared on a motorcycle dressed as a delivery rider in the bottom of the third inning, causing hilarity. He even prepared an iron bag like a real delivery man, which attracted attention.
He wasn’t the only one. Hwang Sung-bin, who reached first base after an infield hit, made the crowd laugh by doing the “should I go to second or 토토 먹튀검증 shouldn’t I go to second” gesture on the base. It was a playful reenactment of the controversial move he made against the KIA in March.
Hwang Sung-bin wasn’t the only player in the All-Star Game who entertained the fans in the stadium with various performances. Dream All-Star starter Won Tae-in (Samsung), nicknamed the “Blue Blooded Man,” took the mound with a ringer filled with blue liquid. KT right-hander Kim Min-woo drew laughs when he threw a ball dressed as Ari, a character from the cartoon Dr. Slump, who resembles him.
Austin, who said his childhood dream was to be a pizza deliveryman, dressed up as a pizza deliveryman and brought out “real pizza” to make fans laugh. LG’s Park Dong-won drew applause when he appeared in the yellow jacket costume of his lookalike, Kim Kwang-kyu, and even invited the real Kim Kwang-kyu to the All-Star Game to take a picture with him.
William Cuevas (KT) and Ronnie Dawson (Kiwoom), who are known for their in-season excitement, entertained fans with a “dance battle” on the dugout during cleanup time.
Choi Hyung-woo, who was named the MVP of the All-Star Game, made a heartwarming moment by high-fiving the kids after scoring the game’s first basket. Yoon Dong-hee (Lotte), who is often said to resemble female professional volleyball star Kim Hee-jin (IBK), drew attention for wearing a sleeveless uniform worn by volleyball players.
Various records were also set at the all-star game. Dream All-Star Oh Seung-hwan (Samsung) took the mound at the age of 41 years, 11 months and 21 days, breaking the record for the oldest All-Star Game appearance held by Yang Jun-hyuk (2010 – 41 years, 1 month and 28 days – Samsung).
Nanum All-Star Kim Hyun-soo (LG) made his 13th consecutive All-Star Game appearance. This tied the record for the longest consecutive All-Star Game appearances held by Yang Jun-hyuk (1995-2007).
The All-Star Game was held at SSG Landers Park, where 22,500 fans packed the stands despite the rain. It was the 23rd All-Star Game sellout in history and the third consecutive year.