"It's a shame because it's my last game with my teammates this season."

Kiwoom Heroes finished their journey this season after facing SSG Landers in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 13th. Kiwoom has 58 wins, three draws and 83 losses.

After this game, there is a player taking on a new challenge. Lee Jung-hoo is the main character. Lee Jung-hoo plans to knock on the door of the Major League Baseball through a posting application. Currently, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants are mentioned to be interested in recruiting Lee Jung-hoo.

Lee Jung-hoo was selected by the Nexen Heroes (currently Kiwoom) in the first round of the 2017 KBO draft and played a tremendous role in seven seasons. His overall record was 1,181 hits, 65 home runs, 515 RBIs, 581 runs, and a batting average of 0.340 OPS of 0.898.

Lee Jung-hoo made his name widely known in his debut season by participating in all games for the first time as a high school graduate, hitting .300 for the first time as a high school graduate, the most runs scored by a rookie (111 points), and the most hits by a rookie (179 hits).

Lee Jung-hoo's most brilliant season is the 2022 season. He ranked first in five categories: batting average (0.349), hit (193), RBI (113), slugging percentage (0.575), and on-base percentage (0.421). He enjoyed the honor of being the MVP of the regular season by winning five batting awards.

Lee Jung-hoo met with reporters ahead of the SSG match on the 13th and expressed his feelings about playing the final game of the season. "I don't know how I feel yet," he said. I would be disappointed if this was really the last time, but I don't know what will happen yet. So I don't feel much emotion, he said. "But I think it's a shame because today is the last game of the season against my teammates."

"I feel like this season has gone by exceptionally fast. There was a period when he left due to an injury in the middle of the season, but he played until the latest game (Korean Series) last year, he said. "There was also the World Baseball Classic (WBC) ahead of the season, so I started preparing early. So I thought it would feel long this season, but I think it passed quickly. " 스포츠토토

Lee Jung-hoo is currently rehabilitating. In July, he underwent surgery for damage to the left ankle extension. He was called up to the first division ahead of the match against the Doosan Bears in Jamsil on the 3rd, but the intention was stronger to accompany the team than to play.

Lee Jung-hoo said, "I'm in good shape. The rehabilitation schedule is nearing its end. I think I'll digest the rest of the parts on my own," he said. "I rehabilitated and did a lot of ankle exercises. Since my ankle condition is not perfect yet, I will rest for a while and continue to exercise. "When I exercise and get a schedule, I'm going to carry out that schedule," he said.

Lee Jung-hoo played as a pinch hitter against the Gocheok Kiwoom Heroes on the 10th and played one at-bat even when his physical condition was not 100%. It was the final home game, so I gave him time to say goodbye to his fans. Kiwoom manager Hong Won-ki explained, "There is a side that went out too hard to greet the fans in the final game."

Kiwoom home fans cheered and welcomed Lee Jung-hoo from the time he took the batter's box. San Francisco's general manager Pete Putilla, who visited the stadium, also applauded and watched Lee Jung-hoo. Lee Jung-hoo grounded out to third base after a long game with Kim Tae-hoon to the 12th pitch, but fans applauded Lee Jung-hoo.

Lee Jung-hoo said, "I was a little nervous at that time, but I was less nervous when I entered the batter's box. When I watched the video later, the fans cheered for me a lot. I was so grateful, he said. "I wish I had made a hit, but baseball is not easy. That's why it was an honor to be able to return in the hospitality of many fans," he said.

Lee Jung-hoo said he met Kim Ha-sung (San Diego Padres) on the 12th and ate together. "We met the day before (the 12th) and had a meal," he said. It's been a while since we met, so I heard about how Ha Sung-sung was doing in the United States. I talked about how Ha-sung did this year, he said. "He told me to make a good choice on my own." Instead, he said he would help you a lot if you had any questions. I'll ask you a lot when I start posting," he said.