Why Lee Sang-min?

What makes Lee Sang-min so attractive?

At 2002 2003 Anycall Professional Baseball All Star Vote, Lee Sang-min(31·KCC Egis) got the most votes for two consecutive years. He was also chosen in the “Top Five” for five consecutive times after 1998 1999 season and made a tie record with Kang Dong-hee (LG Sakers).

However, Lee felt so uncomfortable about his winning that he put off his cellular phone. Maybe the low ranking of his team (8th) weighs on his mind.

Kim Kwang, a director of Public Information Section of KCC, said, “He is so attractive because he has excellent capability and looks like a young shy boy even though he is married and has two children.”

KCC coach Yoo Do-hun, who is Lee`s senior of Yonsei University and played with him in the pro-league, said, “His steady capability must be based on his popularity.” He looks shy but he has strong will to win so he always plays an important role at a decisive moment. He also controls himself properly without any troubles or accident since his debut, so his fans trust him.

Support from his long-time fans who were attracted by his excellent play in 1994, when Yonsei Univeristy baseball team won in university team league, is also contributed to his popularity.

Lee Sang-min said, “I don`t know why I am popular yet. Maybe people set a high value on me because I always put my team first and I do my best at games. I will concentrate on Play-off at this season.”

In addition, Lee Sang-min got 120,354 votes and followed by Seo Jang-hoon (Samsung Thunders) who got 105,186 votes. Among the foreign players, Ryan Perryman (LG Sakers) got 98110 votes and held the first rank.

Sang-Ho Kim hyangsan@donga.com