By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Lee Seung-yeop of the Yomiuri Giants will play for the South Korean national team at the Beijing Olympics in August.
The lefty swinger, 31, who plays in the second-tier league in the Japanese league, told the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) Saturday that he will join the manager Kim Kyung-moon-led national squad after discussing his participation with the Giants. Lee was demoted in April after beginning the season in slump.
As Lee has made up his mind on the Olympic Games, he is expected to be in the final 24-player roster, which will be announced Monday at 3:00 p.m.
``Since I have decided to play in Beijing, I want to claim a gold medal,'' Lee told the reporters after a second-tier game with the Yakult Swallows Saturday.
``If I play with the first squad, I might not play for the national team. However, I could not refuse a KBO's request, while staying in the lower league.''
The baseball governing body sent its Deputy Secretary General Lee Sang-il to Japan to persuade Lee last week.
``I am really thankful to Lee's decision,'' manager Kim said.
``Just including him on the lineup will be a big boost to the national team.''
Lee, who set the Asian home run record with 56 in the 2003 season with the Samsung Lions in the Korean league, has contributed to the national team advancing to the quarterfinals at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in 2006.
And Lee wielded a monstrous bat, which produced two homers and 12 RBIs with a batting average of .478, at the final Olympic qualifying round in March, helping South Korea earn a ticket to Beijing.
Since his first stint with the national team in 1999 after joining the pro league, Lee has compiled nine long balls and 42 RBIs, batting .318 in 37 games.
Meanwhile, with first baseman Lee joining the squad, either of two candidates for the position on the national team, Kim Tae-kyun of the Hanwha Eagles and Lee Dae-ho of the Lotte Giants, will be left out.
Kim, 26, is having a winning season, leading the league in home runs (25), RBIs (73) and slugging percentage (.675), and he was awarded his military exemption in 2006, when he played for the 2006 WBC team.
Lee, who achieved the triple crown, which was won by leading the league in home runs, RBI and batting average, two years ago, falls short of Kim in statistics - 11 homers, 58 RBIs and a .296 average.
However, he can patrol first and third bases, and played at all qualifying rounds.
In addition, the 26-year-old slugger must finish his mandatory service with the South Korean military.
A South Korean athlete can be exempt from the service when he wins a bronze medal at the Olympics or gold at the Asian Games.