Giants rookie has wholesome encounter with Padres fans who caught his first HR
Mar 12, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training baseball game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco Giants rookie Jung Hoo Lee had a Saturday to remember against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif.
In the third MLB game of his carer, Lee hit his first MLB home run off Padres reliever Tom Cosgrove. The Giants outfielder smacked a 78 mph sweeper to the right field bleachers, putting the Padres up 4-1 with one out in the top of the 8th.
이정후 개인 첫 홈런
JUNG HOO LEE'S FIRST MLB HOME RUN‼️ pic.twitter.com/BxW2s5Vb9K
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) March 31, 2024
The Padres fans who caught the Korean slugger’s first dinger were more than happy to give it back to him. The family hailed from the Bay Area and expressed their love for Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who also happens to be Lee’s countryman.
“I’m going to tell [Kim] about you,” Lee told the family through his interpreter.
The family who caught Jung Hoo Lee’s first home run are from the Bay Area but reside in San Diego.
Their favorite Padre is Ha-Seong Kim. They told Jung Hoo about their love for Kim, and Jung Hoo responded via interpreter, “I’m going to tell him about you.” 🧡 pic.twitter.com/G001MwvEsi
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) March 31, 2024
Lee’s 1-out big fly seemingly woke up the Giants’ bats. Lee was just the first of eight players to make it on base safely. The Giants scored four more runs in the inning via a Michael Conforto grand slam before the Padres could record their second out.
MICHAEL CONFORTO GRAND SLAM!!!
GIANTS BREAK IT WIDE OPEN IN THE 8TH
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/JqQNWFjp8J
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 31, 2024
San Francisco managed to turn over their lineup, with Lee serving as the final out in the inning. The Giants would go on to win 9-6.
Lee also got some love from his Giants teammates after the game. They showered the rookie with beer to celebrate his first major league homer.
OH MY GOD pic.twitter.com/qqWcsfW1lf
— jacob (@mikeyastrzemski) March 31, 2024
San Francisco signed Lee to a 6-year, $113 million contract in the offseason. He’s gone 4-of-12 with 1 home run in his first three games with the Giants.