"Isn't Lee Dae-ho's nickname 'Chosun's 4th hitter'? That's why I added him to the lineup as the 4th hitter today."
Lotte Giants manager Larry Sutton clearly explained why Lee Dae-ho was placed in the 4th batter position ahead of the LG Twins match to be held at Sajik Stadium in Busan today.
After this game, Lee Dae-ho, who has been cleaning up his professional life for 22 years, is the last Lotte player to play as a hitter 4 times.
Sutton added, "I have been with Lee Dae-ho for three years as an active player and one and a half years as a manager. It's a short time in terms of Lee Dae-ho's entire baseball life, but today I want to celebrate with everyone."
Now, Lee Dae-ho's retirement is an irreversible fact.
After returning to the KBO league in 2017, Lee Dae-ho, who has firmly maintained one spot in Lotte's lineup, will not be seen from next year.
Sutton said, "If any manager in the world can catch a hitter with more than 20 home runs and 100 RBIs, he will catch it somehow," said Sutton. Thank you," he said.
Lee Dae-ho, who joined as a pitcher in 2001, switched to hitting immediately after joining due to an injury.
He played a lot of time as third base, then first base and this year as a built-in designated hitter.
On this day, Dae-Ho Lee starts as first baseman.
When asked if he would consider Lee Dae-ho's 'surprise pitching appearance', Sutton said, "I will only tell you that there is a special event."
After taking a break after his retirement, Lee Dae-ho is known to be contemplating various paths, including appearing in TV variety shows.
"After Dae-ho Lee retires, he puts everything down and spends time with his family, and I hope he enjoys what he didn't do," Sutton said.