Lee Jung-hoo (Kiwoom), a Korean baseball player, finished his first World Baseball Classic (WBC) stage early with deep regret.
In the WBC Group B match against China held on the 13th at Tokyo Dome, Japan, Lee Jung-hoo started as the third hitter and center fielder and led Korea to a 22-2, 5th inning cold game victory with 2 hits and 3 RBIs in 3 at-bats.
In the first at-bat at the end of the first inning, Lee Jeong-hoo scored an RBI with a timely hit and went on base with a walk in the second at-bat at the end of the second inning. Then, at the end of the third inning, where he scored 8 runs, he hit a 2 RBI double that pierced the side of the right fielder. Afterwards, he felt light pain during the run and was replaced by runner Byeong-ho Park (KT), ending the game early.
The national team failed to advance to the quarterfinals with only 2 wins and 2 losses in this tournament, but Lee Jung-hoo did his part. He started all four games and went 6-for-14 with 1 stolen base, . 429 batting average, 5 RBI and 4 runs scored.더블유 토토
In the match against Japan, which Korea lost 4-13, he was the only player on the team to record multiple hits with 2 hits in 4 at-bats. Even though it was a match against China that was eliminated, it was impressive to see them do their best until the end.
At the official press conference after the game, Lee Jung-hoo expressed his feelings, “Although the rankings have been decided, I still think it is a player’s duty to do his best until the end.”
Interest in Lee Jung-hoo was also hot in Japan. He was also well aware of the fact that after finishing this season, he announced that he would advance to American professional baseball. Japanese reporters even directly asked him, “Do you have any thoughts of wanting to follow his father (Lee Jong-beom) in Japan?”
In response, Lee Jung-hoo replied, “I think I will have to go back to Korea and do better.”
Lee Jung-hoo waited for the moment to face major league pitchers through this tournament. So he was more desperate to advance to the quarterfinals or higher. However, Lee Jung-hoo’s wish did not come true as he was eliminated unexpectedly early.
The only time Lee Jung-hoo faced a major league pitcher was Japanese starting pitcher Darvish Yu (San Diego). Still, he made a strong impression, going 2-for-1 with 1 RBI against Darvish.
Lee Jeong-hoo clearly remembered the moment of confrontation with Darvish. He said, “The at bat against Darvish (three innings) is the most memorable.”
Although he didn’t have many fights, his confidence increased. Lee Jung-hoo said, “I prepared for the winter to hit fast balls and breaking balls and showed them in the game.
Apart from his individual performance, it is inevitable that the national team suffered the bitter taste of being eliminated early.
Lee Jung-hoo, who will return to Korea and prepare for the final season of the KBO League, confessed, “Many people expected it, but I am sorry that the result came out like this.”
In addition, “Rather than being frustrated, we need to develop forward. I will prepare well from now on and show a better figure in the next competition,” he emphasized.