As Lee Jung-hoo, the talented South Korean outfielder, was unveiled as the latest addition to the San Francisco Giants, his father, Lee Jong-beom, a prominent figure in South Korean baseball history, found himself in the limelight.
Observing proudly from the front row, the elder Lee witnessed his 25-year-old son conducting his introductory press conference at Oracle Park in San Francisco. This significant moment followed the junior Lee’s signing of a substantial six-year, $113 million contract with the Giants, a year after securing the regular season Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
Lee Jong-beom, having earned an MVP accolade himself in 1994 with the Haitai Tigers, achieved remarkable statistics with a .393 batting average, 19 home runs, 77 RBIs, and 84 steals. Notably, the Lees stand as the inaugural father-son duo to both claim MVP honors in the KBO.
His 84 steals in 1994 remain a single-season record in the KBO, with Lee also holding three of the league’s top 10 highest steals totals, including 73 in 1993 and 64 in 1997.
Dubbed the “Son of the Wind” for his incredible speed, Lee Jong-beom naturally passed on the legacy to his son, referred to as the “Grandson of the Wind.” Despite not matching his father’s sprinting prowess of the 1990s, Lee Jung-hoo, known for signing a lucrative contract, has carved his own path in the MLB, never exceeding 13 stolen bases in a season.
Reflecting on his father’s exceptional speed, Jung-hoo humorously admitted, “If we were to race each other at the same age, I would never beat him.
Lee Jong-beom was acknowledged as a complete package during the peak of his career, excelling in hitting for both high average and power, while also showcasing stealing bases and strong defensive skills.
When asked about the lessons learned from his legendary father, Jung-hoo playfully remarked, “I learned nothing from him baseball-wise,” eliciting laughter from the gathered reporters. However, he then turned serious, stating, “From my father, I learned about character and ways to grow up as a good person. I also learned how to behave when you’re playing well.” As Lee Jung-hoo embarks on his MLB journey, he carries not just the baseball legacy but also the principles of character instilled by his iconic predecessor.
