Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee Sparks Fan Loyalty With Stunning Play

San Francisco, California — San Francisco Giants center fielder Jung Hoo Lee is making waves this season, drawing fan loyalty and excitement as he showcases his skills on the field. Despite a challenging previous season, Lee is back and thriving, contributing significantly to the team’s performance as they aim for postseason success.

Lee, 26, returned from a shoulder injury that limited him to just 37 games last season. After signing a six-year, $113 million contract before the start of the 2024 season, he is now hitting .300 with six doubles and 10 runs scored, leading the team in runs and tied for the league in doubles. His defensive prowess has also been on full display, as he executes spectacular catches and makes impressive plays in crucial moments.

“I can feel that the love from the fans is amazing right now,” Lee said through his interpreter, Justin Han. The cheers of “Jung. Hoo. Lee.” resonate throughout Oracle Park, emphasizing the passionate connection between Lee and the fans.

Lee’s emergence as a fan favorite is reflected in the popularity of his jersey, which ranks as the top-selling Giants jersey this season. This is particularly notable considering the presence of other star players such as Logan Webb and Matt Chapman. According to Rachel Heit, the team’s chief marketing officer, Lee’s jersey sales even topped last season despite his limited playing time.

The launch of the Giants’ City Connect uniforms has only fueled interest in Lee’s merchandise, with his new jersey becoming a hit at team stores. Lee’s popularity is further evidenced by a video featuring him dining with teammates at a Scottsdale Korean barbecue restaurant, which went viral, garnering over 115,000 views on the team’s official YouTube channel.

“When Jung Hoo joined the team at the beginning of last year, he immediately became a fan favorite,” Heit said. “It’s pretty remarkable when you think of the season he had with the injury and also the language barrier, but from Day 1, the San Francisco fans have rallied around him and supported him.”

This season, the Giants created a fan section in the center-field bleachers named the Jung Hoo Crew, dedicated to Lee. This section is packed for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday home games, with fans eager to support their star player. Another group, affectionately called the Hoo Lee Gans, emerged similarly, selling out 51 tickets that correspond with Lee’s jersey number.

“He brings lightness and fun to the game, and that’s what this group wants to bring to San Francisco,” said Kyle Smeallie, the lead organizer for the Hoo Lee Gans. Smeallie emphasizes the mission of his group, which includes community organizers and activists, aligning their efforts to support Lee’s phenomenon.

“The interest is there,” Smeallie stated. “I would say if it’s 500 people or the same 51 people, we will be out there again.”

Lee’s teammates are equally enthusiastic about his performance. “He’s only scratching the surface with his abilities,” said pitcher Logan Webb. “It’s fun for all of us to watch because it’s a pleasure to see him keep getting better.” Webb expressed interest in learning Lee’s fight song from his time in Korea, indicating the camaraderie building among the players.

Despite the team’s difficulties on the field, including a recent loss to the Cincinnati Reds, Lee remains focused on adjusting to the challenges of Major League Baseball. “Offensively and defensively, I’m still getting used to Oracle Park, even though it’s the home stadium,” Lee acknowledged. “I didn’t get to play a lot last season, so I’m still in that progression where I’m getting used to it.”

As the season unfolds, Giants fans are excited about Lee’s development and look forward to witnessing the impact he’ll continue to have on the field and within the community.