Japan Media Finally Gives Lee His Due

In 2003, when 29 year-old Korean slugger Lee Seung-yeop, who currently bats for the Yomiuri Giants, hit 56 home runs in a single season to surpass 66 year-old Softbank’s manager Oh Sadaharu’s former Asian record of 55 home runs, the reaction of Japanese media was lukewarm. They didn’t think much of record achieved in the Korean league, which was considered a level below of Japanese baseball.

As a matter of fact, after his game against Hanshin on August 1, Lee frankly said, “I hit 324 homer runs in Korea and 77 in Japan, but I’m concerned whether Japanese media and fans will acknowledge my record set in Korea.” Nevertheless, Lee’s worries were unnecessary. He has become a hero in both Korea and Japan.

On August 2, Lee’s 400th and dramatic game-winning 401st home runs were all over Japanese media as the main cover story. It was a drastic change from July 25’s response, when Lee blasted his 30th home run of the season.

The first page of Sports Hochi carried the title “400th Homerun in Japan-Korea, and 401st Sayonara Homerun,” with a full front page photo of Lee raising his arms after hitting the ninth inning, game-winning homer.

Sankei Sports wrote, “At least on this day, Lee’s face looked relaxed,” and emphasized that Lee had become only the third player in the whole world, after Oh Sadaharu and Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, to hit 400 home runs in their 20s, hence becoming on par with world-class sluggers. It also reported that Hanshin ace Igawa Kei, who pitched marvelously through the game by allowing only four hits, but had two two-run blasts from Lee, was so frustrated that he would tremble even after the end of the game.

Other newspapers also covered Lee’s great record in an important matter.

Asahi Shimbun praised Lee, “Lee put up a solitary fight for the Yomiuri Giants, who are suffering from poor batting. He alone prevented the team’s losing streak.”

Yomiuri Shimbun also carried Lee’s picture on their top page and praised, “Even after rounding the bases after hitting his 400th home run, his expression remained unchanged in order to focus on the game.”

Some media reported that Yomiuri Group plans to award a special bonus for Lee’s achievement, that is estimated to be between 10 to 20 million yen, or 85 to 170 million won.

With Lee entering the 400 home run club in his 20s, attention is being shifted on how many more home runs will he be able to hit throughout his career. Lee has reached 400 home runs after 5,311 at-bats, which is one home run per 13.3 at-bats. It is the highest rate among active players throughout the entire world. However, he is behind Oh Sadaharu, who reached 400 home runs on the last game of 1969 season. Oh had only been to the plate 4,606 times to achieve the record, which converts into one home run every 11.5 at-bats.

Considering Lee’s current pace, it will be difficult to overcome Oh Sadaharu’s career record of 868 home runs, but with careful optimism, he might actually break Hank Aaron’s 755 home run record, which is the Major League’s record and is one blast per 16.4 at-bats.

why@donga.com