"The Son of the Wind," Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants outfielder), is drawing significant interest from Japanese media due to his outstanding performance.
On the 7th (Korean time), Lee Jung-hoo played as the third center fielder in a home game against the Seattle Mariners at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, going 2-for-4 with one run scored.
Since the match against the Cincinnati Reds on the 30th of last month, he has recorded hits in seven consecutive games and has achieved multi-hit games in two consecutive matches. His batting average this season has risen from .321 to .344, making him not only the team leader in batting but also ranking 7th in the league overall. Notably, he hit six doubles this season, leading in this institutional sector across both leagues.
On that day, San Francisco defeated Seattle 5-4, continuing their winning streak to seven games and took sole possession of first place in the National League West, surpassing the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Japanese sports media "Full Count" highlighted Lee Jung-hoo's performance. The media noted, "Lee Jung-hoo, active in San Francisco, is having a season that washes away his past stigma."
Additionally, they stated, "Lee Jung-hoo recorded two hits in the home game against the Seattle Mariners on the 7th, raising his season batting average to .344. This marks hits in seven consecutive games and multi-hit performances in two straight games. He has ascended to first place in doubles across Major League Baseball."
"Full Count" reported, "Lee Jung-hoo hit his sixth double of the season in his first at-bat of the game, followed by a single in the fourth inning," and added, "He is recording the highest batting average on the team as the third hitter for San Francisco and is 7th in the league overall."
The media also reported, "Lee Jung-hoo hit 49 doubles during his time with the Kiwoom Heroes in 2020," and remarked, "Although it is still the early part of the season, he has emerged as a leader in the doubles institutional sector in Major League Baseball."
Furthermore, it noted, "Lee Jung-hoo signed a large contract with San Francisco in December 2023 worth $113 million (approximately 1.655 trillion won). He had previously suffered a left shoulder injury after colliding with the outfield wall in a game against the Cincinnati Reds in May of last year, which led to an early end to his season. This season, he has made a strong start, seemingly putting that disappointment behind him."
Meanwhile, San Francisco has continued its impressive winning streak, rising to first place in the National League West, surpassing the Los Angeles Dodgers. The media expressed, "While the Dodgers and San Diego Padres have dominated the West, now the remarkable performances of Asian athletes like Lee Jung-hoo are creating a new trend."
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