Although wearing rival team uniforms and facing off against each other, their close friendship remained strong.

Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants congratulated Kim Hye-sung of the Los Angeles Dodgers by clapping ‘secretly’ from the ground when Kim hit his first home run in the spring training game.

On the 2nd (Korea time), during the spring training game of 2025 Major League Baseball held at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, the San Francisco Giants and the Dodgers faced off. Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Hye-sung started in the game and showcased a friendly rivalry.

Lee Jung-hoo, who signed a massive six-year, $113 million contract with San Francisco last year, is established as a key player on the team. Kim Hye-sung entered the U.S. after signing a guaranteed three-year, $12.5 million contract with the Dodgers in early January, with a maximum of $22 million over 3+2 years. Kim was struggling before this game with a batting average of .071 (1 hit in 14 at-bats).

As the No. 3 center fielder, Lee Jung-hoo recorded an RBI with a double traveling at 176 km/h over the right fielder's head from third base with one out in the first inning. In the third inning, he also added a multi-hit game with a hit to right field with one out and a runner on first.

As the No. 8 shortstop, Kim Hye-sung stepped up to bat for the first time at the bottom of the third inning. He got on base by drawing a walk against the second pitcher of San Francisco, Tristan Beck. He worked the count to his advantage with two balls after watching the first two curveballs. Although he swung and missed at an 87.4 mph slider on the third pitch, he laid off a high curve on the fourth pitch. The San Francisco catcher requested an ABS challenge, and the video review found it to be a ball just slightly above the zone. He got on base with a walk after selecting a one-bounce pitch on the fifth pitch.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, after one out, Kim Hye-sung hit a solo home run over the left field wall off San Francisco pitcher Mason Black's first pitch, a 91.6 mph fastball (147.4 km/h). This marked the end of his recent three-game hitless streak and created a turning point to escape his batting average of .071.

After rounding the bases, Kim Hye-sung returned to the Dodgers' dugout, receiving congratulations from manager Dave Roberts, coaching staff, and teammates.

Before that, he had also received congratulations from a San Francisco player. When Kim Hye-sung's ball headed for the left field fence, Lee Jung-hoo, the center fielder for San Francisco, ran towards the left-center field area in pursuit of the hit. When the ball went over the fence for a home run, Lee Jung-hoo reportedly clapped with his glove.

After the game, when asked in an interview if he was happy about his friend Kim Hye-sung's home run, Lee Jung-hoo said, “Of course. I was chasing the ball, and when it became a home run, I clapped with my glove, like this, without anyone seeing.” He then gestured and added, “Hye-sung must be under a lot of stress right now, and I think he is experiencing many difficulties in his first year.” He congratulated Kim on the home run once more.

He continued, “But Hye-sung and I have come here to pursue our dreams, so we should be grateful as we are doing something that not everyone can do, and we should work hard.”

Lee Jung-hoo hugged Kim Hye-sung near second base after hitting a double in the first inning. He stated, “I hugged Hye-sung, but he didn’t come very close. Since it was a defensive situation, we didn’t get to talk much then.”

He added, “During the second pitching change (with Lee Jung-hoo on second base with two outs in the fifth inning), I was in a situation where Hye-sung's toss play resulted in a safe call at second base, so it was a bit awkward… I just told him to be confident. After all, we are the ones playing, and he can do it like he always does. Don’t be nervous, just be confident. I think I kept saying that.”

When Kim responded to his friend's encouragement to 'be confident' and then hit a home run immediately afterward in the fifth inning, Lee Jung-hoo remarked, “It wasn’t because of me. Hye-sung changed his batting style, and he has been coming out early to train. The results from that effort are what led to this moment, not because I said anything.”

Kim Hye-sung said, “I got a walk in my first plate appearance, and in my second plate appearance, I wanted to swing, so I attacked from the first pitch. I think I got lucky.” He also mentioned, “Honestly, even if it wasn't a home run, I wanted to feel the connection of a good hit. After a long time, I felt a good hit, so I felt good.”

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