Choo stays hot with single, run in 1st ASG

WASHINGTON -- An ongoing 51-game on-base streak is a major reason why Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career, and he continued to find ways to reach base during the American League's 8-6, 10-inning win in the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on Tuesday night.
Choo led off the eighth inning with a single off Milwaukee's Josh Hader, and he eventually scored on a three-run home run from Seattle's Jean Segura that gave the AL a 5-2 lead at the time.

After falling behind in the count to Hader, Choo said he had to adjust to the lefty's delivery. Once he did, Choo was able to drive a single to left field on a 2-2 count.
"It was a tough angle, the arm angle, so I just did what was possible to make contact," Choo said. "Trying to make an inside-out swing with the left-handed pitcher."

Choo also made history with his appearance on Tuesday, becoming the first position player from South Korea to play in the All-Star Game. He is just the third player from South Korea to be selected as an All-Star, joining Byung-Hyun Kim and Chan Ho Park.
The selection was a proud moment for Choo, who had his wife and children in attendance at Nationals Park.

And the experience of the game itself was also enjoyable for Choo.
"[You see] the best pitchers every inning, basically, and the best hitters," he said. "That doesn't happen all the time. It's just one time a year, so it's a really good experience [to] talk with them, learn something from them. It's a good two days, but pretty short."
Choo's 51-game on-base streak is the longest in the Majors this season. Choo's streak became the longest in club history when he broke Julio Franco's previous record of 46 games earlier this month.
During those 51 games, Choo is hitting .337 with a .469 on-base percentage and a .596 slugging percentage. He has scored 31 runs, hit 13 home runs, drove in 28 runs and walked 47 times. Choo's ability to consistently reach base, make opposing pitchers work and set the tone for a young Rangers lineup is a key reason why Rangers manager Jeff Banister moved him to the leadoff spot earlier this season.
Overall, Choo's .405 on-base percentage is the third highest in the American League, and his .911 OPS is the ninth highest. His 62 walks are third best in the league, and his 18 home runs are the most he's ever had at the break.
The 36-year-old Choo is also the second-oldest first-time All-Star in club history. Pitcher Charlie Hough was 38 when he was selected for his lone All-Star Game in 1986.