Texas Rangers outfielder Leody Taveras recalled a veteran he had with as a rookie.

Taveras held a press conference ahead of an official training session at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on the 18th.

At the meeting, he was asked about his memories of Choo Shin-soo, who he had been with in 2020 when he was a rookie. As a rookie at the time, he took over the leadoff role that Choo Shin-soo played after the middle of the season. At that time, it was known that Choo Shin-soo recommended Taveras as a new leadoff to the coach.

Taveras recalled memories with Choo Shin-soo, saying, "I learned a lot from him."

He said he tried to emulate the veteran who played as the team's leadoff at the time, saying, "I've been watching Choo Shin-soo while at the Rangers club and I've been watching him carefully since I was called up."

"I learned by watching all the processes he does. A player who taught me a lot," he added. 토토사이트

Choo Shin-soo left the team after the 2020 season, and Taveras showed a slightly later growth than expected. Having failed to settle down until last year, he became the team's main center fielder with a batting average of 0.266 on-base percentage of 0.312 slugging percentage of 0.412, 14 homers and 67 RBIs in 143 games this season. With Marcus Simien and Corey Seager joining the team, the role changed from leadoff to ninth batter.

"I feel a lot of pride in my role," he said. "I know that either Simien or Seager will call me in if I get on base," he said, expressing his expectations for his teammates with him.

"I feel it is a great honor to be here as an internal trainer," he said, a rare internal trainer in Texas, making no secreting his pride.

Coach Bruce Bochy praised Taveras, saying, "Compared to the beginning of the season and now, he's really calmed down."

"It looks balanced," Bochy said. This keeps him from being deceived by the lure. It's making the pitcher throw a strike out of the body. A young player is showing improvement. That's what you want to see from a player who gives you more chances to play. I know there was an injury problem last year. The start of the season again this year was on the injured list, but he tried to find the timing after his return. "I gained confidence by showing better and better performance, and as I gained confidence, I became more comfortable at bat," he said about his growth.

Taveras said, "I'm trying every day. I'm trying to understand baseball. "I realize that a slump is part of the game," he said.