Lee Taek-keun

1.1. Childhood and Education

Born on July 10, 1980, in Busan, South Korea, Lee Taek-keun attended Kyungnam Commerce High School (also known as Pukyong High School), where his primary position was catcher. During his high school years, he formed a battery with pitcher Kim Sa-yul, and both were selected for the South Korea national junior team. In the 1999 KBO League rookie draft, he was selected by the Hyundai Unicorns in the second round, third pick overall. However, instead of immediately turning professional, Lee chose to pursue higher education, enrolling in the Physical Education Department at Korea University in 1999.

1.2. Amateur Baseball Career

Lee quickly established himself as one of the nation's premier offensive amateur catchers during his collegiate career, earning a starting position in his freshman year at Korea University. His exceptional skills led to his early call-up to the South Korea national baseball team. In 1999, he participated in the Intercontinental Cup. A memorable highlight from this tournament was leading South Korea to a 4-3 victory over the Cuban national team in their first game of the round-robin, marking South Korea's first-ever win against Cuba in international baseball competitions organized by the IBAF.

In 2001, Lee was again selected for the national team that competed in the 2001 Baseball World Cup, where South Korea finished in 6th place. He was one of only five amateur players on the roster for this event. The following year, in 2002, Lee represented South Korea at the inaugural World University Baseball Championship held in Messina, Italy. During this tournament, he capably managed both the designated hitting and catching positions, contributing to the team's 5th-place finish. His amateur international career also included a bronze medal as an All-Star catcher at the Asian Junior Baseball Championship in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 1998.

2.1. Hyundai Unicorns Era (2003-2007)

Lee Taek-keun began his professional career in 2003 after signing with the Hyundai Unicorns, initially as a catcher. While he immediately proved to be a reliable and consistent hitter for the team, his defensive shortcomings as a catcher prevented him from making a significant impact in that position. Recognizing his offensive potential, the team encouraged Lee to convert to an outfielder during spring training in 2006, a change that became permanent by the start of the season.

The positional change proved to be a turning point. In the 2006 season, Lee solidified his role as a central hitter for the Unicorns. He finished second in the league with a .322 batting average, recorded 66 RBI (tenth in the league), and had 135 hits (sixth in the league). His impressive performance earned him a selection to the All-Star team and his first KBO League Golden Glove Award. Following this breakout season, he was selected for the South Korea national baseball team and debuted in a senior international tournament at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, where the team secured a bronze medal. In the 2007 season, he continued his consistent hitting, ranking ninth in batting average (.313) and sixth in hits (137).

2.2. Seoul Heroes Era (2008-2009)

Following the disbandment of the Hyundai Unicorns, Lee Taek-keun's affiliation transferred to the newly formed Seoul Heroes (later Kiwoom Heroes), where he continued to serve as the team's starting center fielder. In the 2008 season, he maintained a strong offensive presence, recording a .317 batting average (seventh overall), along with 12 home runs and 118 hits. Additionally, he showcased his speed by stealing 18 bases, often batting as a leadoff hitter. His standout year culminated in August 2008, when he represented the South Korea national baseball team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The team famously won the gold medal in the baseball tournament, a victory that also fulfilled Lee's mandatory military service requirement.

In the 2009 KBO season, Lee continued to be a key player for the Heroes. He batted .311, placing eighth in the league, and achieved career-highs in several offensive categories, including 142 hits, 15 home runs, 26 doubles, 66 RBI, 84 runs scored, and an impressive 43 stolen bases. He finished third in stolen bases (43 in 51 attempts), and his .843 stolen base percentage surpassed those of the league's stolen base title-winner, Lee Dae-Hyung, and runner-up, Jeong Keun-Woo. On December 11, 2009, he received his second KBO League Golden Glove Award as an outfielder. After the 2009 season, Lee underwent knee surgery and dedicated himself to rehabilitation.

2.3. LG Twins Era (2010-2011)

In 2010, Lee Taek-keun was transferred to the LG Twins following a cash trade controversy (detailed in the 'Controversies' section). Upon his arrival, he was able to continue wearing his preferred jersey number 29, as the previous wearer, Roberto Petagine, did not re-sign with the team. While his original position of center field was primarily occupied by Lee Dae-hyung, Lee Taek-keun adapted by playing other positions.

Initially, he was primarily featured as a designated hitter early in the 2010 season. However, after playing only seven games, he was moved to the minor league due to a back injury, likely exacerbated by overexertion during his rehabilitation from the previous knee surgery. Lee returned to the first team on May 25, 2010, ahead of a game against the KIA Tigers. Despite returning, he mostly played as a first baseman due to concerns about his outfield defense. He struggled with inconsistent hitting throughout much of the season, often maintaining a batting average in the low .200s. Nevertheless, he managed to raise his batting average significantly in the latter part of the season, ultimately concluding 2010 with a .303 batting average, extending his streak of seasons with a .300 or higher batting average to six years. The 2011 season also saw him hampered by injuries, preventing him from showcasing his full potential. Following the 2011 season, Lee declared for free agency, but negotiations with the LG Twins reached an impasse, leading to the termination of talks.

2.4. Nexen/Kiwoom Heroes Return and Later Years (2012-2020)

After failing to reach an agreement with the LG Twins, Lee Taek-keun returned to his former team, the Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom Heroes), signing a four-year free agent contract on November 20, 2011. The contract was valued at a total of 5.00 B KRW, which included a signing bonus of 1.60 B KRW, an annual salary of 700.00 M KRW, and options totaling 600.00 M KRW. As compensation for signing Lee, the LG Twins designated pitcher Yoon Ji-woong, who was set to join the police baseball team. When Lee stepped up to the plate against the LG Twins on April 24, 2012, he respectfully bowed to the opposing fans who were booing him, acknowledging his past affiliation.

In the 2012 season, Lee became the team captain, succeeding Kang Byung-sik, but was limited to 94 games due to injuries. He was reappointed captain for the 2013 season and played in over 100 games for the first time in four seasons. His leadership and performance were crucial in guiding the team to its first postseason appearance since the disbandment of the Hyundai Unicorns and the Heroes' re-establishment.

In 2014, Lee recorded a .306 batting average with 21 home runs and 91 RBI, continuing his strong offensive contributions. The 2015 season saw him play in 105 games, maintaining a .326 batting average, hitting 10 home runs, and collecting 113 hits and 44 RBI. Despite being eligible for free agency again in 2016, Lee chose to re-sign with the Heroes for a four-year deal worth 3.50 B KRW, ensuring his continued presence with the team.

On April 12, 2016, in a game against the kt Wiz, Lee made history by hitting the Nexen Heroes' (now Kiwoom Heroes') first home run at their new home stadium, Gocheok Sky Dome. A year later, on May 18, 2017, in a game against the Hanwha Eagles, Lee hit a grand slam off pitcher Jung Woo-ram. This was a particularly notable achievement as it was the KBO League's first-ever pinch-hitter ending grand slam, securing a victory for his team. On April 21, 2018, against the Hanwha Eagles and pitcher Park Sang-won, he hit a timely hit that contributed to another victory. He maintained a batting average of over .300 in 2018. However, before the 2019 season, he received a 36-game suspension from the KBO League due to an incident involving a teammate. Lee Taek-keun concluded his professional playing career in 2020.

2.5. Major Awards and Honors

Throughout his professional career, Lee Taek-keun received significant accolades for his outstanding performance and contributions to both his club teams and the national squad.

His major individual awards include:

• KBO League Golden Glove Award (Outfielder): 2006
• KBO League Golden Glove Award (Outfielder): 2009

As a member of the South Korea national baseball team, he earned a prestigious honor:

• Gold Medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics

2.6. National Team Career

Lee Taek-keun had a distinguished national team career, representing South Korea at various levels from junior to senior international competitions.

His international appearances include:

• 1998: Played for the junior national team at the Asian Junior Baseball Championship in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where the team earned a bronze medal, and Lee was recognized as an All-Star catcher.
• 1999: As a collegiate player, he participated in the Intercontinental Cup in Australia, where South Korea finished 7th.
• 2001: Was part of the national team at the 2001 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan, with South Korea placing 6th.
• 2002: Competed in the World University Baseball Championship in Italy, where the team secured a 5th-place finish.
• 2006: Debuted for the senior national team at the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, contributing to a bronze medal. He batted .182 (2-for-11) with 1 RBI and 1 run.
• 2007: Part of the team that won a silver medal at the Asian Baseball Championship in Taiwan, recording a .270 batting average (2-for-7) and 1 RBI.
• 2008: Participated in the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament in Taiwan, where South Korea earned a silver medal. He batted .320 (8-for-25) with 5 RBI and 4 runs.
• 2008: Most notably, he was a key member of the gold medal-winning South Korea national baseball team at the Beijing Olympic Games in China. In this tournament, he batted .125 (2-for-16) with 1 home run, 3 RBI, and 3 runs.
• 2009: Joined the national team for the 2009 World Baseball Classic in the United States, where South Korea finished as runners-up, earning a silver medal. He appeared in 7 games, primarily as a pinch runner and backup center fielder, batting .167 (1-for-6) with 1 run, 2 walks, and 1 stolen base.

2.7. Career Statistics

Below is a comprehensive table detailing Lee Taek-keun's professional career statistics in the KBO League.

3.1. 2009 Cash Trade Controversy

Following the 2009 KBO League season, Lee Taek-keun became embroiled in a cash trade controversy, reminiscent of the 2008 trade involving Jang Won-sam. This incident occurred at a time when the Seoul Heroes (then operating as the Heroes) were working to fulfill their financial obligations to the KBO to secure their official club status.

On December 30, 2009, after the Heroes had successfully paid their KBO membership fee and were officially recognized as a club, a major trade was formally approved. Lee Taek-keun was sent from the Heroes to the LG Twins. In return, the LG Twins transferred 2.50 B KRW in cash, along with catcher Park Do-hyun and outfielder Kang Byung-woo, to the Heroes. This transaction was part of a larger pattern of cash trades by the Heroes during a period of financial instability, which generated considerable debate within the league and among fans.

3.2. Teammate Assault Incident

In a serious incident that occurred in May 2015, Lee Taek-keun physically assaulted a younger teammate, Moon Woo-ram. The altercation involved Lee striking Moon multiple times in the face with a bat, resulting in Moon sustaining a concussion and severe facial swelling. Lee reportedly stated that he had hit Moon because the younger player had not followed his order to get a haircut.

The incident led to disciplinary action by the KBO League. In 2018, it was announced that Lee Taek-keun would be suspended for 36 games for the entire 2019 season. This disciplinary measure underscored the league's stance against violence and misconduct among its players. The incident cast a shadow on Lee's career and highlighted the importance of professional conduct within sports organizations.

4.1. Family and Relationships

Lee Taek-keun was previously in a publicly known relationship with actress Yoon Jin-seo, which lasted for approximately one year before their separation. In January 2013, there were media reports stating that he was set to marry a second-generation Zainichi Korean, Moe Nakaya (whose Korean name was Kim Hyung-kyung), in Tokyo, Japan, on January 18. However, it was later confirmed that this marriage did not take place. Lee later married Kim Yeon-seon in 2014, and they have been together since.

4.2. Nicknames

During his playing career, Lee Taek-keun was widely recognized by the popular nickname "Taek-keun V" (택근 V^Korean). This appellation is a playful linguistic reference to his name and the famous Korean animated robot, "Robot Taekwon V" (로보트 태권 V^Korean). The nickname originated during his tenure with the Hyundai Unicorns and became a lasting identifier throughout his professional journey.

4.3. Other Anecdotes

An interesting coincidence in Lee Taek-keun's personal life is that he shares the same birthday, July 10, with two other notable KBO League players: Kang Yoon-goo and Park Byung-ho.

5.1. Baseball Commentator Career

After concluding his playing career, Lee Taek-keun embarked on a new professional path as a baseball commentator. He currently serves in this role for SBS Sports, providing analysis and commentary on KBO League games, drawing upon his extensive experience as a professional player.

5.2. Broadcast Appearances

Beyond his commentary work, Lee Taek-keun has also made appearances on major television programs, further showcasing his presence in the entertainment sphere after his playing career. Notably, in 2022, he joined the cast of Strongest Baseball, a popular television show that features former professional baseball players.