When the ball flew to the fence in the middle of the left-hand side of the pitch, Jung-hoo, please slowly. Slowly, slowly, the coach was nervous. Hurry up and watch the full-time

Feb 23, 2025

When the ball flew to the fence in the middle of the left-hand side of the pitch, Jung-hoo, please slowly. Slowly, slowly, the coach was nervous. Hurry up and watch the full-time
Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants catches Evan Carter's deep line drive hit in the bottom of the first inning in the spring training opener against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on the 23rd (Korea time). AP Yonhap News



When the ball flew to the fence in the middle of the left-hand side of the pitch, Jung-hoo, please slowly. Slowly, slowly, the coach was nervous. Hurry up and watch the full-time
Lee Jung-hoo approaches and listens to director Bob Melvin in the dugout. AP Yonhap News
San Francisco Giants Lee Jung-hoo showed his true value in the spring training opening game on the 23rd (Korea time), raising expectations for his return season.

Lee Jung-hoo started as the third center fielder in an away exhibition game against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona, USA, and hit one hit in three at-bats, and handled the ball stably three times in defense. San Francisco won the game 6-1.

It was in his first at-bat in the top of the first inning that Lee Jung-hoo had a hit.




With no runner after two outs, Lee Jung-hoo turned his bat cheerfully and made a hit in front of right field when Texas right-hander Tyler Marley's first 92.3 mile four-seam fastball flew into the high strike zone in the middle. It was a typical line drive hit with a launch angle of 15 degrees, a batting speed of 105.1 miles (about 169.14 kilometers) and a distance of 267 feet.

After the game, Lee Jung-hoo said "I came out to the field today and decided in my head that I would swing the bat at the first pitch "

When the ball flew to the fence in the middle of the left-hand side of the pitch, Jung-hoo, please slowly. Slowly, slowly, the coach was nervous. Hurry up and watch the full-time
Lee Jung-hoo hits a right-handed hit in his first at-bat after two outs in the top of the first inning. AP Yonhap News
When the ball flew to the fence in the middle of the left-hand side of the pitch, Jung-hoo, please slowly. Slowly, slowly, the coach was nervous. Hurry up and watch the full-time
Lee Jung-hoo hits a sharp hit to the right after hitting the first pitch of Texas starter Tyler Marley with two outs in the top of the first inning. AP Yonhap News
Lee Jung-hoo's real game is the first in 286 days since his injury at home against the Cincinnati Reds on May 13 last year, and his actual hit is the first in 290 days since May 9 against the Colorado Rockies.

However, Lee Jung-hoo ended the inning as the next batter, Luis Matos, hit a ground ball to shortstop and was forced out of the second base.

He struck out swinging in his second at-bat after one out in the third inning with a 2-0 lead. On a full count against Texas right-hander Jack Leiter, he misplayed the bat on a slider that dropped significantly towards his body 89.2 miles into the sixth pitch.

In the third at-bat of the fifth inning, when the 2-0 lead continued, he hit a ground ball to the first base with a runner on second base after one out. In a two-strike, he strongly pulled the opponent's left-hander Jacob Webb's 94-mile fastball on the third pitch, but it was missed and became a slow-flowing ground ball to first base. At this time, second baseman Lamont Wade Jr. advanced to third base, and Matos' right-handed hit broke out, widening the gap between San Francisco to 3-0.




Lee Jung-hoo was replaced by Grant McCray in defense in the bottom of the fifth inning.

When the ball flew to the fence in the middle of the left-hand side of the pitch, Jung-hoo, please slowly. Slowly, slowly, the coach was nervous. Hurry up and watch the full-time
Lee Jung-hoo hit a single in the top of the first inning and is looking at the batter's box with a lead width at first base. AP Yonhap News
Lee Jung-hoo was applauded for his fast feet in defense and his accurate judgment of batting to catch a hit. In the bottom of the first inning, Texas' lead-off left-handed hitter Evan Carter hit a 94.6-mile sinker from San Francisco starter Landon Loop to sharpen it toward center field. A fastball with a 22 degree launch angle and a 103.7 mile batting speed. Lee ran near the fence in the middle of the left and caught him on the 390-foot (about 119 meters) warning track.

Lee Jung-hoo hurt his shoulder after hitting the fence while running to catch Jaymer Candelario's deep right-center hit against Cincinnati in May last year, but this time, he handled it easily with a stable run and catch. Lee Jung-hoo did not touch the fence at all even after the catch.

After the game, MLB.com wrote, "'Lee Jung-hoo is back in action and it's exciting: I can't wait to see him play the full-time season' gave a complementary report centered on him in an article with the title.

Maria Guardado, who wrote the article, said, `In the real game that the Giants waited for nine months, Lee Jung-hoo knew he would not shrink at all in the exhibition game opener at Surprise Stadium.'

Lee Jung-hoo "I can't say it's 100% all in offense and defense yet. However, I am focusing on what I have to do on the playground and trying to help the team. I think I'll have to spend more time on the batting cage and the ground. I think that would be helpful"How did you feel about the first game.

When the ball flew to the fence in the middle of the left-hand side of the pitch, Jung-hoo, please slowly. Slowly, slowly, the coach was nervous. Hurry up and watch the full-time
Lee Jung-hoo is responding to fans' requests for autographs as he enters the field ahead of the game against Texas. AP Yonhap News
Coach Bob Melvin said of Lee Jung-hoo's good defense in the first inning, "'Slowly, slowly, slowly' to himself when he saw the ball fly in that direction.'" "I didn't want to see him hit the fence again. But there was no sign of that. He chased the ball well and caught it easily," he praised.

Starting pitcher Loop also "I knew how to catch him leisurely." The ball flew away quickly, but Lee Jung-hoo made the judgment accurately. Not only does he defend well, but he also hits. He is a player with everything. I can't wait to watch the full-time season," he said, expressing anticipation.

Fellow outfielder Mike Yastremski said "We certainly believe that Lee Jung-hoo is the player who sets the game apart. He plays well, plays well, and is clever, so he understands the game well. I also study hardThe attitude of mind is also quite consistent and steady. Watching today's game, I expect to do it steadily. Last year he showed some ability, but not too hot. So, I want to see you adjust well this year," he said, expressing anticipation.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.