Major League Player Lee Jung-hoo, Appearing on 'JTBC Strong Baseball'... Special Stage with Father Lee Jong-beom

Major leaguer Lee Jung-hoo is set to appear on the entertainment program 'JTBC Strong Baseball'. According to Star News on the 27th, Lee Jung-hoo, who is affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, confirmed that he participated in the ceremonial first pitch and first hit at the game between the 'Breakers' and the 'Independent League Representative Team' held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul on the 26th.

In particular, the event garnered attention as it featured Lee Jung-hoo's father, baseball legend Lee Jong-beom, a former coach of the kt Wiz. Lee Jong-beom was officially appointed as the manager of JTBC 'Strong Baseball' on June 30, 2025, and left the kt Wiz during the season, which caused some controversy, but it is known that it was conducted through a smooth agreement with the club.

Lee Jung-hoo has been in the spotlight since before his professional debut as the son of Lee Jong-beom. He was a shortstop in high school but transitioned to center field, and in 2017, he was selected first overall by the Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom Heroes), becoming the first father-son duo to enter the professional league through the first overall pick.

Lee Jung-hoo made a strong impact from his debut season, winning the KBO Rookie of the Year award after 10 years. He recorded the most hits for a high school graduate rookie debut season and has an impressive award history, including the KBO MVP in 2022, five consecutive KBO Golden Gloves, and two consecutive batting titles. Notably, he also achieved the first father-son batting title after his father Lee Jong-beom.

In 2024, Lee Jung-hoo signed a 6-year, $113 million contract (approximately 1.473 billion won) with the San Francisco Giants, receiving the highest treatment for an Asian position player and has been successfully adapting with a stable performance since his first season in Major League Baseball.

In a past interview, Lee Jong-beom stated, "I really hated striking out when I was a player, and I instilled that thought in Jung-hoo," adding, "That's why Jung-hoo hates striking out." Lee Jung-hoo also emphasized the importance of contact ability, saying, "Striking out means you leave the plate without even having a chance to fight."

Meanwhile, on June 26, 2024, at the 'Korean Cultural Heritage Night' event held at Oracle Park, the home stadium of the San Francisco Giants, Lee Jung-hoo took the first hit, and Lee Jong-beom threw the first pitch, showcasing a special father-son stage.