Lee Jung-hoo hit a shot at home against the 2024 MLB Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California on the 27th (Korea Standard Time).
The event was organized to commemorate the “Korean Cultural Heritage Night,” and the first pitch was made by Lee Jung-hoo’s father, former LG Twins coach Lee Jong-beom.
Lee Jung-hoo did not wear a glove on his left hand in the aftermath of the surgery, but he also put his left arm on his knee when shooting or raised his left hand to give a thumbs-up when taking a commemorative photo.
The fact that he was the only Korean player in San Francisco who could not play in the game seemed to leave a deep regret. 무료슬롯사이트
Lee Jung-hoo said, “It’s a night of Korean cultural heritage, and I’m sorry I’m injured.”
This is not the first time that Lee Jung-hoo has to watch the game he wants to play from a distance.
Lee Jung-hoo also had left shoulder surgery in the 2018 season when he played for the Nexen Heroes (currently Kiwoom) in the KBO League.
At that time, Lee Jung-hoo, who injured his shoulder in defense in the bottom of the ninth inning of the second postseason semi-playoff game, left the fall stage as it was.
In the end, the team broke through the semi-playoff and failed to join the SK Wyverns (currently SSG Landers) in the playoff.
Nexen showed persistence in losing the first and second games and winning the third and fourth games, but lost the game in the bottom of the 10th inning of extra time in Game 5.
However, this experience seemed to be a medicine for Lee Jung-hoo.
Lee Jung-hoo shortened the rehabilitation period, which was expected to be six months at the time, to four months and played the opening game of the 2019 regular season normally the following year.
After reigning as the best hitter in the KBO League for five seasons until 2023, he advanced to the Major League this year.
A similar blueprint can be drawn for “Big Leaguer” Lee Jung-hoo.
The plan is for Lee Jung-hoo to shorten the rehabilitation period, which is currently scheduled for six months, to sufficiently raise his physical condition during the winter offseason, and then enter the spring camp, exhibition games and opening entry smoothly.
Lee Jung-hoo, who signed a six-year, $113 million contract with San Francisco, has only five seasons left.
Last month, Lee Jung-hoo said, “I had the same surgery in 2018 and played healthy in the KBO League after that,” and vowed, “I will rehabilitate hard and come back strong, recalling my happy time in the MLB.”