Dae-ho Lee, more commonly known by the Korean name Lee Dae‑ho (이대호; born May 2, 1982), is a South Korean professional baseball player. He primarily plays as a first baseman and designated hitter. Lee began his KBO League career with the Lotte Giants in 2002 and later played for the SK Wyverns (now the SSG Landers) and the NC Dinos. He has also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (2014–2016) and the Hokkaido Nippon‑Ham Fighters (2021).
Career highlights and achievements
- KBO League: Six‑time KBO All‑Star (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010). Named KBO League MVP in 2008.
- International play: Member of the South Korean national team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the bronze medal at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
- NPB: Won the Japan Series with the SoftBank Hawks in 2014.
Statistical overview (as of the end of the 2023 season)
- KBO career batting average: .306
- Home runs (KBO): 297
- Runs batted in (KBO): 1,201
Lee is noted for his consistent hitting, power at the plate, and durability, having played over 1,700 professional games across both the KBO and NPB. He announced his retirement from professional baseball in early 2024.
Personal background
Lee was born in Gwangju, South Korea. He attended Gwangju Jeil High School, where he was recognized as a top baseball prospect. Following his baseball career, Lee has been involved in various charitable activities, including youth baseball clinics and donations to disaster relief efforts in South Korea.
References
- Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) official statistics database.
- Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) official player records.
- International Olympic Committee (IOC) records for the 2008 Beijing Games.
- World Baseball Classic official archives.
