South Korean centerfielder Lee Jung-hoo joined the San Francisco Giants on Friday after signing a six-year Major League Baseball deal worth $113 million, vowing to impress fans from the start.
The 25-year-old left-handed slugger won five Golden Gloves as best overall KBO League player at his position over his seven seasons for the Kiwoom Heroes.
Lee’s .340 career batting average is the Korean league’s highest among players with 3,000 or more plate appearances.
“I’m here to win and will always give my best to my teammates and fans. Let’s go Giants,” Lee said in English.
Lee, who has an opt-out clause after the 2027 season, said his goal is to return the Giants to a championship level after three titles in five seasons from 2010 to 2014.
“From opening day on, the fans will be impressed with the skill set,” Lee vowed through a translator.
“I feel honored that a team of historical importance like the Giants chose me to be part of the team. It’s a true honor to play for the Giants.”
Lee is the son of legendary Korean shortstop Lee Jong-beom, who was known as “Son of the Wind” and inspired Lee’s nickname — “Grandson of the Wind.”
“In Korea they mentioned it once in a while,” the younger Lee said. “In English, it sounds really good so I think I’ll use it.”
Asked if he was faster than his 53-year-old father, Lee said, “No chance, he’s still faster.”
Lee said his biggest challenge in jumping to MLB will include adjusting to playing outdoors at Oracle Park after having home games in Seoul at Gocheok Sky Dome.
“Really looking forward to playing in an outdoor stadium environment,” Lee said. “I’m focused on getting acclimated and helping the team win. That’s my primary goal and my only goal.”
Everything will be new for Lee when the 2024 season begins in March.
“The pitching, the stadiums themselves, the environment, the travel — we used to take buses in Korea but now we’ll take planes,” Lee said.
“But I’m ready to make that transition happen. I’m going to work really hard to make that transition a success.”
Lee, a 2020 Olympian, was the 2022 KBO Most Valuable Player when he batted .349 and scored 85 runs. Lee hit 23 home runs, 10 triples and 36 doubles while driving in 113 runs.
With the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers as major rivals, Lee figures to test himself against that club and its new Asian star, Japan’s Shohei Ohtani.
“I’ll try really hard,” Lee said.
