San Francisco Outfielder Lee Jung-hoo Captivates Fans with Stylish Necklace During WBC Preparations
San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo is turning heads both on and off the field as he prepares for the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC). The Korean national team captain has been spotted wearing a distinctive “four-leaf clover” necklace, sparking a trend among MLB players and generating significant buzz in Japan.
Lee, named captain of the national team on February 7, is among the 30 players confirmed to participate in the WBC this March, according to The Chosun Ilbo. He joins a roster that includes MLB stars like Ryu Hyun-jin of the Hanwha Eagles and Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The necklace, reportedly a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra design valued around 15 million Korean won (approximately $11,000 USD), has quickly develop into a popular item among players, with some referring to it as a “lucky charm,” Sports Kyunghyang reported. Japanese fans have similarly taken notice, with social media abuzz with comments about Lee’s fashion sense.
Lee has been showcasing his skills in MLB spring training, recently delivering a multi-hit performance against the Milwaukee Brewers on February 26, including a three-base hit, as detailed by Yonhap News Agency. He went 2-for-3 with one RBI in the game, extending his consecutive games with a hit streak to four and raising his spring training batting average to .417.
Despite Lee’s strong performance, he was replaced by a pinch runner after his final at-bat. The team is hoping he can continue his momentum as they prepare for the tournament.
Korea is currently ranked seventh in MLB.com’s WBC power rankings, with Lee highlighted as a key player alongside Kim Hye-seong and Korean-American infielder Shea Langeliers, according to The JoongAng Ilbo. The team will face tough competition in Group C, including Taiwan, as they aim to advance past the first round for the first time since 2009.
However, concerns arose on March 1 when Lee suffered an ankle injury during a game, v.daum.net reported. The extent of the injury is still being evaluated, but initial reports suggest it was a significant sprain, occurring ahead of a crucial game against Japan.
