“Grandson of the Wind” vs. “The Comet” — Jung Hoo Lee and Hye-sung Kim Face Off as Rivals for the First Time in MLB
Once teammates. Now rivals.
On June 14 (local time), at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Jung Hoo Lee of the San Francisco Giants and Hye-sung Kim of the Los Angeles Dodgers faced each other for the first time on a Major League Baseball field — and it was Kim who came out on top in their long-anticipated matchup.
Kim, starting as the No. 9 hitter and second baseman, went 1-for-4 with an RBI, while Lee, batting leadoff and playing center field, was held to 0-for-4 with one walk and a strikeout. The Dodgers won the game decisively, 11–5.
Kim Delivers an RBI Single — Right in Front of His Old Friend
Kim’s standout moment came in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs and a runner on third, he stepped in against Giants reliever Spencer Bibens and laced a fifth-pitch RBI single into center field — right in front of none other than Jung Hoo Lee.
It was a symbolic moment. The ball, softly landing in the outfield grass, brought back memories of when the two shared the same uniform — not opposite dugouts.
Kim’s season batting average now stands at an impressive .382, while Lee’s average dipped slightly to .266 following a quiet night at the plate. Lee’s only time on base came from a walk against Clayton Kershaw in the first inning.
Shohei Ohtani Steals the Spotlight with a Multi-Homer Game
While the Lee vs. Kim face-off was a highlight for Korean fans, the star of the night was unquestionably Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers slugger hit a leadoff home run in the first and added another solo shot in the sixth, bringing his season total to 25 home runs — keeping him atop the National League leaderboard.
Over in the American League, Aaron Judge (Yankees) and Cal Raleigh (Mariners) each sit just ahead with 26 home runs apiece.
From Kiwoom Heroes to MLB Rivals — A Story of Friendship and Competition
Lee and Kim spent seven years together with the Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO League, after being drafted in the same year and playing for the South Korean national team before going pro. Their history dates all the way back to high school — and now, it has come full circle on the biggest baseball stage in the world.
Once colleagues at Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO League
“It’s a really long relationship,” said Lee via interpreter Justin Han. “I really like Hye-sung, and we have a great bond.”
Kim echoed the sentiment, telling reporters via interpreter Joe Lee,
“It’s a very cool and fun thing to meet him as a competitor. It’s definitely going to be a new feeling.”
New Uniforms, Same Field — A New Era Begins
“We’ve always worn the same jersey,” Lee said. “Now we’re in different colors, but on the same field. It’s a strange feeling, but I’m excited.”
Lee joined the Giants ahead of the 2024 season on a six-year, $113 million contract, but his rookie campaign was cut short after just 37 games due to a shoulder injury. In his second year, he's flashed his star potential again, though his early-season hot streak has cooled slightly.
Kim, meanwhile, signed a three-year, $12.5 million deal with the Dodgers this past offseason. He began the season in the Minors, working on adjustments to his swing, and was called up in May. Since then, he's carved out a valuable platoon role and continues to impress.
Not Just Baseball — Adjusting to American Life Together
Despite their busy schedules, Lee and Kim have remained close. Earlier this season, Kim revealed that he leaned on Lee for advice as he prepared to adjust to life in MLB.
“We talked mostly about off-the-field stuff,” Lee said. “I was injured last season, so I didn’t have much to say about baseball. But we talked about planes, food, cultural differences… you know, life over here.”
“We Don’t Need Bragging Rights” — Just Friendly Competition
The Giants–Dodgers rivalry is one of the oldest and fiercest in baseball — and this series had added meaning with these two longtime teammates facing off.
But for Kim, the matchup wasn’t about one-upping his friend.
“I want to win — of course I want the Dodgers to win,” he said. “But it’s just friendly competition between us.”
He added with a smile,
“We were drafted together. We played together. Now we’re facing each other in the Major Leagues — and in the same division, too. That’s pretty special.”
A Short but Symbolic Chapter — With More to Come?
Unfortunately, Kim’s appearance in the three-game series was limited to just one game, a reminder that he’s still not an everyday starter. Still, the significance of the moment wasn’t lost on fans — especially those in Korea who followed their journey from the very beginning.
As Kim continues to earn more playing time and Lee remains a core part of the Giants’ lineup, it’s likely we’ll see more of this matchup in the future.
And when we do, it’ll be more than just a game. It’ll be another page in a shared story — one built on friendship, competition, and the dream of going from KBO teammates to MLB rivals.
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