Baseball Star’s Next Big Decision

Lee Seung-yeop (age: 30) is the greatest baseball player ever to come from Korea. He has had to make tough decisions to get there. Lee chose to stay with the Japanese professional baseball team Yomiuri Giants over entering the Major Leagues. In some ways, it was a reasonable decision. It would have been difficult for Lee, who received surgery on his left knee on October 13, to make it.

The only thing left to settle is contract duration and conditions. It entails an important decision for Lee.

If he signs for another three years as the team wishes, he will receive a handsome sum of one billion yen (approximately eight billion won). If Lee still has the Major Leagues on his mind, he will sign a one-year contract with an option to move there after one year.

Interestingly enough, Lee has always made the right decisions. It was Lee’s decision to become a “slugger.” We review some of Lee’s past big decisions.

First Decision: Samsung over Hanyang-

After graduating from Kyeongbuk High School in 1995, Lee had the choice to become a professional baseball player or to play for a university. Lee wanted to head to Samsung, but his father Lee Chung-kwang wanted him to attend Hanyang University. Lee failed the Scholastic Aptitude Exam on purpose, and his father was left deeply disappointed.

He was a pitcher, when he first joined the team. He had elbow problems and underwent an operation. During rehab, he got his hands on a baseball bat. Batting coach Park Seung-ho (currently a KIA coach) said, “Try being a batter for just one month.” This led to Lee Seung-yeop to become the “home run king.”

Second Decision: Japan’s Lotte over Samsung-

After setting the Asian record in 2003 for home runs hit in one season and attaining free agent status, Lee tried for the Major Leagues and failed. Samsung tried to console the disappointed player. There were rumors that Samsung was offering him 10 billion won. At the last moment, Japan’s Lotte made an offer, and after deliberation, Lee chose Lotte. Right after Lee announced the news to the public, he burst into tears.

Third Decision: Yomiuri over Lotte-

After going through a tough year in 2004, Lee made a comeback with 30 home runs in 2005. Japan’s Lotte, as expected, wanted to extend his contract. But Lee’s eyes were set on a higher goal. His model was Hideki Matsui, who excelled at the prestigious Yomiuri Giants and went on to play for the New York Yankees. Lee had to see his salary cut from 200 million yen to 160 million yen. As the fourth batter, he raked in a batting average of 0.323, 41 home runs, and 108 runs batted in.

uni@donga.com