Seoul: Over his international career, Lee Jung-hoo has transformed from a promising talent in South Korean baseball to the captain of the national team. With the World Baseball Classic (WBC) approaching, Lee, currently an outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, expressed his desire to compete in the maximum seven games allowed in the tournament.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea is set to play four games in the opening round in Pool C at Tokyo Dome. If they finish in the top two of their group, they will advance to the quarterfinals in Miami. A team can play up to seven games if they reach the championship final on March 17. "I really want to get on that chartered flight to the U.S.," Lee shared with reporters after a practice session at Kyocera Dome. South Korea will play two exhibition games against Nippon Professional Baseball clubs before heading to Tokyo for the WBC. Lee, reflecting on past tournaments, expressed a strong determination to change his international record, saying, "I want to play all seven games. I don't have any fond memories playing for the senior national team."
Lee's history with South Korean baseball is deeply personal. He grew up watching the national team secure a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics and achieve a second-place finish at the 2009 WBC. His father, Lee Jong-beom, was a key player in the 2006 WBC team that made it to the semifinals, an event that occurred when the younger Lee was only seven.
South Korea has struggled to advance beyond the first round in the WBC since 2009, with Lee part of the 2023 team that did not advance past Tokyo. "I've only been a part of some disasters," Lee commented, noting the emotional toll these experiences had on him. He expressed a strong desire to "recapture the glory of the past years."
As Lee has matured, the pressure to perform at international events has increased. Initially, he was eager to play internationally without much concern, but he now feels the weight of expectations. "In the early days, I was just excited about playing internationally," Lee explained. "But at some point, I started worrying about how I should approach these games. This time, I am surrounded by great teammates, young and old. I just have to take care of these guys, and we'll be in good shape."
Lee acknowledged the challenges his team might face, especially with some players experiencing Tokyo Dome for the first time. The stadium's size and the enthusiasm of the local fans can be daunting. "It can be a nerve-wracking experience, but it will also help those players going forward," he said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure. "I don't have to remind them of the importance of this tournament. I just hope they play as well as they usually do for their clubs."
The team faced setbacks with injuries to key players such as Kim Ha-seong of the Atlanta Braves, Song Sung-mun of the San Diego Padres, and Riley O'Brien of the St. Louis Cardinals. Additionally, Korea Baseball Organization stars Moon Dong-ju and Won Tae-in were sidelined due to shoulder and elbow issues. Despite these challenges, Lee remains resolute, stating, "It's a shame those guys aren't here, but we have the best Korean baseball players available. If we don't play well just because of the guys that aren't here, then those players will feel guilty and it will hurt the pride of the guys on the team."