샌프란시스코의 기적을 쓴 ‘바람의 손자’, 메이저리그를 매료시킨 18경기 연속 안타의 마법 > 뉴스

Lee Jeong-hoo's record-breaking streak has now reached a point where he is not only rewriting the history of Korean major leaguers, but is attracting the attention of the entire league. In this game against the Washington Nationals, he extended his hitting streak to 18 games by submitting a phenomenal report card of 2 hits in 4 at-bats, 1 walk, 1 stolen base, and 2 runs. This is very meaningful in that since he broke the record for the longest hitting streak by a Korean Major Leaguer set by Choo Shin-soo and Kim Ha-seong, he is creating new history by surpassing his own limitations every day. His season batting average soared to 0.338, closely following Otto Lopes, the number one batting average in the National League, by just 4 leagues, and entering the competition for the batting title. Not just his records, but his concentration and bat control at the plate are already proving to be top-tier in the league.

In this game, Lee Jeong-hoo's true value was clearly revealed in the bottom of the 6th and 9th inning, a critical moment when the team had to lean into the game. The San Francisco batting line, which had been struggling in the beginning due to being tied down by Washington's starting pitcher Foster Griffin, slowly ignited the fire of pursuit in the bottom of the sixth inning with Lee Jeong-hoo's sensational hit to right. In particular, the left-field hit against opposing pitcher Mitchell Parker in a desperate situation where the team was down 7-10 in the bottom of the 9th inning with no outs on first and second base was the highlight of the game. The opposing team made a game-changing move by sending in left-hander Parker to block Lee Jeong-hoo, the hottest hitter in the league, but Lee Jeong-hoo calmly pushed the outside fastball despite an unfavorable ball count, creating a bases-loaded opportunity. Without his exquisite hit, the miracle of Bryce Eldridge's walk-off grand slam home run would not have existed.

Lee Jeong-hoo's performance was not limited to just the bat. In the bottom of the 8th inning, after a full count game, he drew a valuable walk and then immediately stole second base, showing off the essence of 'foot baseball'. The walk recorded in 39 days showed how sophisticated his pitching plan was, and the subsequent stolen base shook the opponent's battery, ultimately leading to a run scored when he hit home on Daniel Susaek's timely hit. This base-running play became the driving force that completely turned the tide of the game, allowing San Francisco to score 5 runs in the 8th inning alone. Lee Jung-hoo not only exerts strong pressure at the plate, but also constantly harasses the opponent's defense on the bases, becoming an all-round player who perfectly solves all the puzzles for the team's victory.

Through this game, the San Francisco Giants not only achieved one win, but also provided an opportunity to completely turn the team around. This comeback, which turned the game from 1-9 behind to 11-10, will be remembered as a memorable match in the history of Oracle Park. Bryce Eldridge's walk-off home run was a symbolic scene announcing the emergence of a rookie who would carry the team's future, but it was Lee Jung-hoo's persistent hitting that perfectly set the stage. Although Washington had the upper hand throughout the game, it collapsed in an instant due to the huge wall of Lee Jeong-hoo. Lee Jung-hoo is no longer just a promising prospect from Korea, but has clearly established himself as a key hitter that major league clubs should be most wary of.