The Giants introduced their newest addition to the team on Friday, as Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee met with the media for the first time. The 25-year-old, who was a star in the KBO, comes from a family of baseball players.
In his first remarks as a Giant, Lee gave a speech that lasted over a minute, with many thanks across the board. However, the highlight was when and he introduced himself by his unique nickname.
“Hello Giants, my name is Jung Hoo Lee, Grandson of the Wind, from Korea,” he said.
Lee is nicknamed “Grandson of the Wind” because his father, Jong Beom Lee, was nicknamed “Son of the Wind” due to his incredible speed during his own KBO career. Jung Hoo, however, doesn’t steal as many bases, but he gets the benefit of the nickname anyway.
Jung Hoo Lee is officially a member of the San Francisco Giants 🙌 pic.twitter.com/k23GpjP5BL
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) December 15, 2023
During the press conference, Lee was asked about his father and specifically what he learned about baseball growing up the son of a baseball player. Lee had some fun with the question before giving a serious answer.
“I learned nothing from my dad in baseball,” Lee joked through his interpreter, before giving his real answer. “To be a good person, to be a good teammate and [how to be] part of a team.”
Jung Hoo has jokes 😆 pic.twitter.com/3mjYUHK4Hq
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) December 15, 2023
Lee, who officially signed a six-year, $113 million contract with San Francisco, will play center field for the Giants, just like he did in the KBO. The outfielder was one of the best players in the KBO, totaling an OPS of at least .812 in each of the last six seasons.
