It seems that the ‘permanently missing’ legend, who enjoyed only 17 players in the 42-year history of the KBO League, was not reluctant for his son to play baseball. However, as the saying goes, children have no parents, and Legend could not break his son’s stubbornness.
The 5th grade son of elementary school, who overcame his father’s objection and grabbed a baseball bat, quickly grew up to be the ‘biggest outfielder’ in the 3rd year of high school, looking to advance to the pros. Lee Byung-gyu (49), a legend with 2,043 hits in his career, LG’s permanent number (9), Lee Seung-min (18, Whimoon High School), the eldest son of Samsung’s head coach, is the main character.
Lee Seung-min participated in the 1st Hanwha Eagles Cup ‘High School vs. College All-Star Game’ held at Daejeon Hanwha Life Insurance Eagles Park on the 6th. Lee Seung-min, who started as the designated hitter for the high school all-star team, went 2 hits and 1 walk in 5 at-bats, going 3 on base and receiving the Distinguished Service Medal.
Lee Seung-min, who opened the game with a heavy hit by hitting the third pitch from the first at-bat in the first inning with a two-strike unfavorable count. He also made a good sacrifice bunt toward third base on the 1st and 2nd bases, which turned the score 5-3.
In the 7th inning, he pulled a low-falling breaking ball with exquisite bat control and decorated it with a hit in front of the right fielder. It was a blow that reminded me of the active days of my father, coach Lee Byeong-gyu, who is famous for being a ‘bad ball hitter’. Then, in the last at-bat with two outs and first base in the ninth inning, leading 6-5, Park Ji-hwan stole second base, and he walked to first base with an automatic intentional fourth pitch.
After the game, Lee Seung-min said, “It was a pity that the intentional 4 balls came out at the RBI opportunity. It is not the first intentional 4th pitch. There were about 3 times in the official game this year,” he said. I practiced bunts on a regular basis, and when I had a chance, I wanted to do it.”
Left-handed left-handed outfielder Lee Seung-min, who is 188cm and 90kg tall and has a strong physique by inheriting his father’s blood, has established himself as a key hitter since his sophomore year. He played 10 games this year as well, with a batting average of 3.6, 1 Lee (13 hits in 36 at-bats), 1 home run, 8 RBIs, 4 walks, 8 strikeouts, and an OPS of 1.033. He was included in the preliminary entry for the Hangzhou Asian Games as the best outfielder with long hitting power. Higher nominations are also expected in the upcoming 2024 KBO Rookie Draft. 안전놀이터
Lee Seung-min said, “The Asian Games are a preliminary list, so I don’t attach much importance to them. I want to be selected as the number one outfielder in the draft. Overall, we are aiming for less than three rounds,” he said. “When I first started playing baseball, my father was very opposed. So I pushed harder. There is still nothing that I think is better than my father, but I have a desire to be called by my name rather than the title of father and son.”
Boasting outstanding batting skills, Lee Seung-min also has showmanship and camaraderie. Lee Seung-min, who participated in the home run race that day and raised his arms to cheer the crowd, patted his back and consoled him in the 7th inning when his teammate pitcher Kim Hui-gun (Whimungo) threw only 4 balls against one batter and walked down.
Lee Seung-min said, “I felt sorry for Whiggan because he seemed to have a short-lived feeling of joy in a good game called the All-Star Game. ‘Okay. There is also another opportunity. He said, “We can go to the youth team together.” Lee Seung-min’s consolation seemed to help, and Kim Hwi-gun looked at the relay camera and smiled and soothed his regret.