'First since Lee Dae-ho' — Fans organized, Lotte responded: How Jeong Hoon, with an average of 71 hits per season, made his way out as the protagonist [Busan]

*This content was translated by AI.

1,476 games in the first division, 1,143 hits. These are the 16th-year records left by former Lotte Giants Jeong Hoon (39) in the KBO League. Though he never won a championship ring or an MVP award, fans requested a retirement ceremony for him, and Lotte willingly obliged. Even Jeong Hoon himself was surprised by the ceremony.

Jeong Hoon attended his retirement ceremony held ahead of the Lotte-LG regular-season game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium on the 26th. This was the first retirement ceremony held at Lotte since Lee Dae-ho (44) in 2022.

With a full house of 23,200 spectators, including Jeong Hoon's wife and two sons, both teams' rosters left the field to honor the baseball senior who had begun his second life. LG presented a bouquet through captain Park Hae-minLee (CEO), while Lotte, led by Hwang Sung-bin, entered the game with a patch bearing Jeong Hoon's name on their faces. Through the scoreboard, congratulations from former and current teammates including Jeon Jun-woo, Hwang Jae-kyun, Son Ah-seop, and Kang Min-ho followed. Despite Jeong Hoon's earlier resolve that he "wouldn't cry," he ultimately broke down in tears.

After graduating from Andeok Elementary, Masan Dong Middle, and Yongma High School, Jeong Hoon entered the professional ranks as a development player with Hyundai Unicorns in 2006. After completing his military service as an active-duty player, he finally blossomed only after joining Lotte as a development player following the 2009 season. Making his first-division debut in 2010 and retiring in 2025, he played 1,476 games exclusively for Lotte, recording a .271 batting average (4,211 at-bats, 1,143 hits), 80 home runs, 532 RBIs, 637 runs scored, and 76 stolen bases, with an on-base percentage of .353 and a slugging percentage of .389.

In terms of hits alone, he was ordinary, averaging 71 hits per season over 16 seasons in the first division. Jeong Hoon candidly shared his feelings: "Actually, when I first prepared for the retirement ceremony, I thought it was just because I had been with this team for a long time. When I looked at the results of those who recently held retirement ceremonies, I felt I clearly fell short."

He continued, "When I first said I would have a retirement ceremony, many people reacted with 'How?' I don't know how hard I worked in baseball, but most people around me said the most often, 'You worked hard and held on well.' It seems I heard 'you worked hard' more than 'you did well' all this time."

But what fans and Lotte remembered was not just simple numbers. He played every infield position and responded to calls whenever the team needed him. Colleagues and coaches who remember him all describe him as a diligent player. This is why, despite being a development player, he was able to last 16 seasons on the professional first-division stage.

Jeong Hoon stated, "I think development players just don't get as many early opportunities. Both managers and coaches have played baseball for a long time. So if a development player gives up the idea that they are a development player and tries to raise their own value, I believe they will get more opportunities."

He added, "I think I was able to have a retirement ceremony because of my attitude toward baseball. Fans liked me and also criticized me. Sometimes it was burdensome, but after taking off the uniform, I felt grateful for that attention. I was able to have a retirement ceremony because it was Lotte. Lotte fans mentioned the retirement ceremony often, which made it possible."

His impact was not absent. He batted .300 in 2015 as a starting second baseman and spent the 2021 season with a career-high 14 home runs and 79 RBIs. Jeong Hoon himself cited the July 28, 2020, Busan NC Dinos game as his most memorable moment.

At that time, with NC leading 9-8 in the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs and runners on first and second, Jeong Hoon crushed a slider from Won Jong-hyun over the left-field fence. It was his first and only walk-off home run, leading Lotte to an 11-9 victory. Jeong Hoon smiled, saying, "I've only hit one walk-off home run, so the NC game is the most memorable. And my last professional at-bat is also very memorable. In the last game of last season, I struck out against Hanwha's Kim Seo-hyun. I had thought 'this is the end' before, but that strikeout made me think completely, 'this really isn't going to work.'"

Currently living his second baseball life as a commentator for SBS Sports, Jeong Hoon also dreams of returning to the field someday. He answered, "I definitely have a dream about returning to the field. I don't know when or at what point that will be, but I am keeping the possibility open."

In today's game, Lotte won 3-2 thanks to a strong performance by Masan Yongma High School junior Na Gyun-ah, who pitched seven innings allowing five hits, two walks, five strikeouts, and two earned runs, and by Jeon Min-jae, nicknamed the 'trade lucky charm,' who went 3-for-3 with two hits and three RBIs.

The tributes from players continuing even after the game made it clear why Jeong Hoon was able to exit as the protagonist at the final moment. Jeon Min-jae said, "I am truly happy that we could win in Jeong Hoon senior's retirement ceremony game. Although I first joined Lotte last year, Jeong Hoon senior gave me many good stories. Advice based on his experiences greatly helped me during last season."

High school junior Na Gyun-ah's message was even more heartfelt. Na Gyun-ah recalled, "I am quite happy that we could decorate Jeong Hoon senior's retirement ceremony with a victory. He is both a high school senior and a Lotte senior. When I attended Yongma High School, Jeong Hoon senior was an idol and an inspiring player for students."

He continued, "Thanks to his many donations, juniors were able to grow well as professional players. Actually, I wished we could have played together for a longer period, but it wasn't possible, so I regret it. Even though senior is leaving the field, I will never forget his fighting spirit and fiery plays."

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*This content was translated by AI.