Lee Jung-hoo, ends three-year partnership with interpreter! "Eat well and live well" cheerful farewell followed by heartfelt "I adapted thanks to you"

*This content was translated by AI.

'Grandson of the Wind' Lee Jung-hoo (28, San Francisco Giants) has said goodbye to his dedicated interpreter, Han Dong-hee, who supported him both mentally and physically in adapting to the U.S. Major League Baseball stage. Though they began with playful jokes and a cheerful departure, Lee could not hide his deep gratitude and sincere appreciation for the helper who shared three years of ups and downs with him.

On the 27th (Korean time), NBC Sports Bay Area, the local U.S. broadcast network, released an interview video concluding Lee Jung-hoo's 2026 season.

At the end of the video, a special farewell message was included for Han Dong-hee, the dedicated interpreter who will conclude his journey with Lee Jung-hoo at the end of this season. When local reporters asked, "Please leave one final word, whether good or bad," Lee responded without hesitation with his characteristic mischievous expression, delivering the blunt remark: "Eat well and live well."

After laughter erupted and the comment was quickly dismissed as a joke, Lee immediately opened up with heartfelt sincerity. He said, "In fact, I have been so grateful for three years. Your help was truly crucial in allowing me to adapt so well to the Major League stage. I don't know what I will do in the future, but I believe I will succeed no matter what. I hope you visit next year," sending a message of encouragement.

When asked whether he had received support for a new interpreter, Lee replied, "Not yet." When U.S. reporters requested a more precise nuance, interpreter Han Dong-hee explained, "The joke about 'eating well and living well' was meant to say we won't see each other again, but since it was a lighthearted joke, I did not convey it directly to the reporters," continuing the cheerful back-and-forth until the end and adding warmth to the moment.

Lee Jung-hoo was placed on the 10th-day injured list (IL) on the 22nd due to a groin injury, missing the remainder of the regular season and ending his season prematurely. As a result, Lee's final statistics for the 2026 season were: 143 games played, .276 batting average (539 at-bats, 149 hits), 10 home runs, 57 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, 31 doubles, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.724.

In the first half of the season, he briefly exceeded a .300 batting average and set a new record for consecutive hits by a Korean Major Leaguer with 18 straight games recording a hit. Although he packed his bags somewhat early due to physical fluctuations in the second half and an unexpected injury near the end of the season, he demonstrated his competitiveness as a regular Major League outfielder by achieving the team's only "10 home runs and 10 stolen bases" combination.

Finally, through the interview, Lee Jung-hoo expressed, "I am disappointed that I could not end the season as I wanted; it was a roller-coaster season," and added, "During the off-season, I will prepare thoroughly to reduce fluctuations and maintain consistency," revealing his strong determination to bounce back in the next season.

Meanwhile, San Francisco will conclude its 2026 regular season schedule with a home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the 28th. Lee Jung-hoo's return date to Korea is expected to be decided soon.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.