All I can say is "Amazing." With this momentum, it is enough to raise expectations that he may be able to follow the path of Ichiro Suzuki, a legendary figure.
Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants of the U.S. Major League Baseball hit his first home run in three games since his debut.
Lee Jung-hoo hit his first home run since his Major League debut in the opening four consecutive games and the third game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, California on the 31st (Korea time).
Lee Jung-hoo pulled the sweeper out of San Diego's left-handed bullpen Tom Cosgrove in the eighth inning when his team was leading 3 to 1 with no runner on the out. When he got hit, the hit that felt like it was a home run flew well over the fence at right-center Petco Park. A long-distance homer with a flying distance of 124 meters. Starting with this homer, San Francisco scored six runs in the eighth inning, and had a nine-to-sixth win for its second consecutive game.
Ahead of this season, Lee signed a six-year contract worth a total of 113 million dollars with the San Francisco Giants. Since joining the team, he has been fixed as a center fielder. He successfully adapted to the unfamiliar stage through spring camps and exhibition games. He had a hit from the opening game of the exhibition game, and finished the game with a batting average of 343. He also hit a home run. Despite having doubts about Lee, the U.S. team has also begun to feel attracted to his better-than-expected ability to make contact with the team and power.
Still, exhibition games and regular season games are different from each other. However, Lee Jung-hoo is expanding his position so comfortably as if a big league game is nothing big.
At the opening game on Tuesday, he had his first hit and an RBI single. He was so excited that he managed to check in, but it was successful. At the second game on Tuesday, he had multi hits and RBIs in two consecutive games. He went up one notch at a time, and eventually hit a home run in the third game. It is an incredible move.
What made this homer incredible was that the opposing pitcher was a very tricky one for left-handed hitters to hit. Cosgrove is a left-handed sidearm that is rare in the Major League Baseball. He is familiar to Korean fans as he already performed in the Seoul Series. From a left-handed batter's point of view, the ball must have felt as if it was flying from behind him. Besides, Lee was also a tricky sweeper to pitch, but he scooped up the ball with perfect timing. It proved that he had reached the peak of his batting skills.
He has become the 15th Korean Major Leaguer to hit a homer. He had four hits from 12 times at bat in three games, a batting average of 333 with one homer and four RBIs. He added a sacrifice fly against San Diego Padres starter Dylan Cease when his team was leading 2-0, with one out and runners on the second and third bases in the fifth inning.
Lee Jung-hoo's father, former LG Twins coach Lee Jong-beom, made his name known to fans all over the world thanks to his son. Lee, who could not hide his happiness even when he had his first hit in the opening game, hugged his friends and rejoiced when the home run was hit. Local broadcasters also introduced Lee as the 1994 KBO League MVP.
Lee also received his first home run ball. He was a fan of his local family who supported San Diego, and he introduced himself as a big fan of Kim Ha-sung. Lee replied, "I will definitely introduce myself to Kim Ha-sung."
The Japanese legend Ichiro is the one who Lee Jung-hoo used as his role model while playing baseball. That's why he uses his number 51. He is skinny and has the same style of baseball that makes accurate contact. During the spring camp, I met Ichiro in person at an away game with the Seattle Mariners. In 2001, when he made his Major League debut, Ichiro swept the titles of batting average (3.5 percent), most hits (242), and stolen bases (56) as both MVP and rookie of the year. It's hard to say that Lee will rise to the ranks, but the strong impact Ichiro gave to American fans in the first season creates an atmosphere that will likely impress them.
BY: 스포츠토토핫