Professional baseball player Lee Seung-min (20) of the SSG Landers presented an emotional performance together with his father, Lee Byung-kyu, the LG 2nd team manager.
Lee Seung-min was selected as the No. 8 right fielder for the Northern All-Stars, participating in the '2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Futures All-Star Game' held on the 11th at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark.
Lee Seung-min, who joined SSG as a second-round (20th overall) pick in the 2024 rookie draft, has yet to make an appearance in the first team. However, in the Futures League, he recorded a batting average of .281 over 105 games in two seasons (224 at-bats, 63 hits), with 4 home runs, 38 RBIs, 29 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases, for an OPS of .742.
This season, Lee Seung-min has recorded a batting average of .276 over 39 games (87 at-bats, 24 hits), with 1 home run, 18 RBIs, 14 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases, for an OPS of .696. He was selected as a Futures All-Star for the second consecutive year. This year, his father, Lee Byung-kyu, having taken over as the LG 2nd team manager, joined the Northern All-Stars coaching staff, allowing them to play together in the dugout for the first time.
In the bottom of the 2nd inning with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd base, Lee Seung-min stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat, presenting a performance reminiscent of his childhood by exchanging ribbons and neckties with Manager Lee Byung-kyu and blowing kisses to the ball. He struck out swinging after a check swing video review during his first at-bat.
In a pre-game interview, Lee Seung-min noted, "This is my first time playing in the dugout with my father. I think it'll be fun for me," adding, "I haven't had many conversations with my father. We prepared the performance together, but I just asked in a notifying way. Our promotional team suggested a good performance, and I said they didn't have to do it if they didn't want to; however, he said, 'If you want to do it, let's do it,' so we prepared for it."
"I went to the All-Star Game and award ceremony when I was young," explained Lee Seung-min, adding, "But it seems like this is the first time I've played baseball with my father like this. I wonder when I can do this again. I tried to do everything I could."
When asked if he often talks about baseball with his father, Lee Seung-min replied, "I don't talk much about baseball with my father. If I have worries, I might mention them, but I'm not the type to delve deeply, so I think I mostly just think about things myself and move on."
Lee Seung-min, selected as a Futures All-Star for the second consecutive year, stated, "I'm happy and excited. This year, I want to do well." He added, "I think I've struggled this year because my desire to do well has been so strong. When the All-Star break approached, I tried to do as much as I could, and thankfully, I've improved."
"I haven't felt it much, but the coaches and manager have said that my growth will definitely be visible to others, so I should wait," said Lee Seung-min. "I've heard a lot of good things, which has given me confidence. I feel like my baseball has improved. Last year, I played baseball in a hurry, but this year, I feel like I'm enjoying it and doing well. Since I'm doing what I love most, I want to have fun with it," he emphasized the importance of his mindset toward baseball.
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