“I was expecting a fastball and fortunately I got one," he said. "I swung with all my strength but I didn’t think it was a home run. I thought it would hit the fence. I was busy running the bases when someone said that the ball had gone over the fence, I grit my teeth in spite of myself. If I didn’t hit that homer there, I probably would never have [hit the 56th]."

His wife Lee Song-jeong, 22, says that her husband is more reliable these days. “Thanks to my husband, more people recognize me, which is cool, but I think I have more responsibility on my shoulders," she said. "Before we got married, he was an older man, like a father, but now we’re friends and sometimes he is like a younger brother.”

Lee Song-jeong said the couple has no plans for children yet because they are young. "Our parents are not in a hurry either," she said.

"I will never let my kids play baseball," the home run star said. "It is too tiring.”

“He helps with everything except the dishes and cooking," the wife said. "He is also good at cleaning and takes out the garbage.”

Mr. Lee said, “My wife manages the money. I don’t even look at the account book or bank book. I trust her.

“I fill his wallet when he doesn’t have any money,” Ms. Lee said.

These days, baseball fans are most curious about whether Lee will try to play in the United States. Many fans want him to stay in Korea to keep up the popularity of baseball in the country. However, Lee says, “I have done everything there is to do here. I have nothing more to achieve and have no sense of goal or desire. Now, I want to challenge myself in a bigger arena with the heart of a new player.

“After succeeding in the U.S. I will return and play my last years with Samsung," he said. "Even if I leave, there will be other stars here.” (Ko Seok-tae, kost@chosun.com )