SoftBank Hawks fans haven’t forgotten about Lee Dae-ho, 41.
On the afternoon of the 21st, SoftBank announced on their official social media, “Lee Dae-ho, who joined the team in 2014 and was the 2015 Japan Series MVP, will appear and throw out the ceremonial first pitch on the 28th against the Chiba Lotte Marines. Please come to the ballpark and watch.”
Lee, who played for the Lotte Giants from 2001 to 2011 before joining the Orix Buffaloes in 2012, signed a mega-deal with SoftBank in 2014 for up to 2.05 billion yen over 2+1 years.
Lee appeared in 144 games in 2014, hitting .300 with 170 hits (19 home runs), 68 RBIs, 60 runs scored, and a .816 OPS. In his second year in 2015, Lee hit .282 with 31 home runs, 98 RBIs, 68 runs scored, and a .892 OPS in 141 games, ranking fifth in the Pacific League in home runs, fourth in RBIs, and fourth in on-base percentage.
In the 2015 Japan Series, he became the first foreigner to win the Japan Series MVP in 19 years, since 1996, after going 16-for-18 with two game-winning home runs, eight doubles and a .500 batting average. It was the first for a South Korean player. Lee last played in the series in 2016, when he joined the Seattle Mariners.
“I am grateful for this honor,” Lee said through the club. I still have vivid memories of winning the Japan Series with the SoftBank Hawks. I’m excited to be reunited with my fans at Fukuoka PayPal Dome after a long absence.”스포츠토토
The memories of their dominant 2015 Japan Series run have SoftBank fans welcoming Lee back. Especially after the team’s foreign players, including Willians Astudillo (0-for-13, 0.133) and Freddy Galvis (0-for-16, 0.167), have struggled this season, many fans have been missing Lee.
Within seven hours, Lee’s tweet announcing the start of the game had over 450,000 views and over 5,000 likes. Fans commented, “If you’re Lee Dae-ho, please stay on the bench and wait for a substitute. He can still hit,” “The best first baseman I’ve ever seen,” “Why not a designated hitter or pinch-hitter,” “I remember copying his batting form at school,” “I want him to play his retirement game in Japan,” and other nostalgic and welcoming messages.