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Lee Seung-yuop smiles at Gimpo International Airport on Wednesday before leaving for Japan to return to the Yomiuri Giants. /Yonhap
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Lee Seung-yuop seemed lighthearted at a press conference at Gimpo International Airport before he left for Japan to join his team, Yomiuri Giants, on Wednesday. ¡°I thought that Japan was ahead of Korea in baseball, but that idea has changed since the Olympic Games,¡± he said.
¡°I found that over the past five years, young players like Ryu Hyun-jin, Kim Kwang-hyun and Lee Dae-ho have made big progress. I am no longer a Korean baseball hero.¡±
But there¡¯s no doubt the 32-year-old slugger played a big role in Korea¡¯s first ever Olympic gold medal. While he performed poorly overall, with a batting average of 0.167 -- five hits in 30 at-bats, he hit a tie-breaking two-run homer in the semifinals against Japan and another in the first inning of the final match against Cuba.
Lee complimented his juniors who gave all they had in the Olympics. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect younger players would do this well,¡± he said.
¡°I also want to participate in the World Baseball Classic next March. I hope I can play as a member of the national squad, if possible -- until the day I retire.¡±
When asked if his decisive role in defeating Japan would put him in bother there, he said confidently, ¡°They are pros. I will have no difficulties.¡±
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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