‘Every day is a gift’: Lee Jung-hoo’s gratitude is winning hearts in San Francisco
Lee Jung-hoo speaks with the Hankook Ilbo during an interview Tuesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Hankook Ilbo
Lee Jung-hoo, 27, of the San Francisco Giants says he feels grateful every time he steps on the field.
“When I think about the time I couldn’t play because of my shoulder injury, I’m just thankful to be on the field," he said in an exclusive interview with the Hankook Ilbo before a home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday (local time).
Despite a recent dip in batting average compared to last month, Lee has responded with calm perseverance. “Baseball has its ups and downs,” he said. “If you have good days, you’ll also have bad ones.”
Now in his second year in MLB, Lee has already become one of San Francisco’s most beloved players. His No. 51 jersey was the team’s top seller last season — and it continues to lead sales this year. The team even launched a Korean-language jersey in response to his popularity.
A U.S.-based fan club called “Hoo Lee Gans,” inspired by his nickname “Hoo,” has formed in his honor. MLB.com recently referred to him as “San Francisco’s superstar,” noting how the Giants, who repeatedly missed out on signing other big-name stars like Shohei Ohtani, found their solution in Lee.
Members of Lee Jung-hoo’s fan club, Hoo Lee Gans, watch the game from the outfield seats Tuesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Hankook Ilbo
Still, Lee remains grounded. “I’m living the life I dreamed of as a child. I don’t want to waste a single day,” he said. “Maybe people appreciate that I’m doing my best every game.”
That night, the Giants hosted Korean Heritage Night, featuring K-pop dance performances and Korean food. Fans received a commemorative jersey with Lee’s name and his nickname, “Grandson of the Wind.” Unlike last year — when a shoulder injury sidelined him for the event — Lee played a starring role this year. Starting as the fourth batter and center fielder, he thrilled the sold-out crowd with his fifth home run of the season, a three-run shot. Spectators wore his jerseys and chanted “Jung Hoo Lee.”
Monday marked exactly one year since the injury that ended his 2023 season. Reflecting on that, Lee said his gratitude now outweighs any performance-related stress. “Last year’s injury reminded me not to take anything for granted. Even on days I don’t play well, just being with my teammates on the field gives me energy.”
In the interview, Lee addressed a range of topics:
On recent hitting struggles
“Baseball is a sport of cycles, so I’m working hard to get back to my good form without stressing too much.”
On inconsistent strike zones
“I never used to be the type to be affected by strike zone calls, but lately there have been judgments that differ from what I expected, which admittedly shook me a bit. Still, that’s not an excuse. I try to forget those moments and focus on the next game.”
On travel demands in MLB
“Traveling long distances and playing so many games is definitely tough, especially in just my second year. But I see playing here as a privilege, so I’m thankful.”
A Korean-language Giants jersey, released for the first time this year, hangs inside the official team store Tuesday at Oracle Park. Hankook Ilbo
On the fan response during games
“There’s a ‘Jung Hoo Lee zone’ in the outfield. (During weekend home games, fans who sit there get a T-shirt with his name on it.) I think people cheer because they appreciate how hard I play.”
On the difference between Korea and the United States
“In Korea, it felt natural to get a lot of love since we shared the same language and I was a core player. But here, I’m essentially a rookie from Asia, so I’m just thankful for all the support.”
On being compared to Ichiro Suzuki
“That’s too much praise. I think any manager will speak positively about a player when asked, but I appreciate it nonetheless. Still, I’m just focused on the game in front of me.”
On his nickname ‘Grandson of the Wind’
“It was a burden when I was young, being known as the son of (former KBO star) Lee Jong-beom, the ‘Son of the Wind.’ But I’ve gotten used to it in the pros. Hearing it in English here — ‘Grandson of the Wind’ — it actually sounds kind of cool.”
Members of Lee Jung-hoo’s fan club, Hoo Lee Gans, watch the game from the outfield seats Tuesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Hankook Ilbo
On staying in touch with fellow Koreans in MLB
“It’s tough with different schedules and time zones, but we keep in touch from time to time. Having familiar faces in the league makes me feel more secure.”
On what he does on off days
“I travel so much that when I’m home, I stay in. When I’m on the road, I usually just rest in my room. The only time I went out was when we played in New York, which was my first time visiting the city.”
On adapting to life in the US
“I’ve gotten used to American food, but I get tired of it sometimes, so I order Korean food after games. Right now, my mom is here and cooks Korean dishes for me.”
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.