SEOUL, As South Korean outfielder Lee Jung-hoo was being introduced as the newest member of the San Francisco Giants, his father Lee Jong-beom, one of the greatest players in South Korean baseball history, was thrust into the spotlight.
The proud dad watched from the first row as his 25-year-old son held his introductory press conference at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Friday (local time). The junior Lee signed a six-year, US$113 million contract with the Giants this week, one year after winning the regular season most valuable player (MVP) award for the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
The senior Lee also won an MVP award in 1994 for the Haitai Tigers, after batting .393 with 19 home runs, 77 RBIs and 84 steals. The Lees are the first father-son duo to have won MVP awards in the KBO.
That steals total remains the single season record in the KBO. Lee owns three of the 10 highest steals totals in league history, having swiped 73 bags in 1993 and 64 in 1997.
Lee was nicknamed "Son of the Wind" for his speed, and that naturally made his son the "Grandson of the Wind." Lee Jung-hoo, though, isn't close to being the burner that his old man was in the 1990s. The junior Lee has never stolen more than 13 bases in a season.
"My dad was really fast," Jung-hoo said. "If we were to race each other at the same age, I would never beat him."
In this EPA photo, Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants walks up the dugout steps at Oracle Park in San Francisco after his introductory press conference on Dec. 15, 2023.
As for his moniker, he said, "Because my dad was the Son of the Wind, I was the Grandson of the Wind from birth. I think it sounded a little cheesy and corny in Korean, but it sounds cool in English."
Lee Jong-beom was seen as a complete package at the peak of his powers, someone who could hit for high average and power while also stealing bases and playing strong defense.
Asked what he'd learned from such a legendary father, Jung-hoo cracked, "I learned nothing from him baseball-wise."
After drawing laughter from a throng of reporters, Lee turned more serious and said, "From my father, I learned about character and about ways to grow up as a good person. I also learned how to behave when you're playing well."
In a scrum with South Korean reporters after the presser, Lee Jong-beom said he believed his son has what it takes to thrive in the majors.
"Just being able to play for a team like this will be a great opportunity for Jung-hoo. He is young and full of energy. I think he's going to do well," the father said. "During spring training, he will have to figure out what he has to do."
Lee said the most important trait moving into a new environment was to be fearless. He was speaking from experience, having played in Japan from 1998 to 2001.
"I'd like to tell him that it's important not to hang your head even if you fail," Lee said. "When I was Jung-hoo's age, I didn't have fears. I am sure Jung-hoo is the same way. If he plays the way he's capable of playing, he will have good results."
He also called on his son to take a long view on his major league career.
"Since he signed a long-term deal, he should use the first season trying to make adjustments," Lee said. "He will need to reach out to his teammates and have some sense of humor, too."
Source: Yonhap News Agency