The offseason is a great time to make travel plans.
With that in mind, several members of the Giants organization made a trip to South Korea to visit outfielder Jung Hoo Lee.
For newly hired manager Tony Vitello, it was an opportunity to meet one of his players for the first time.
“The biggest reason I came to Korea is because I wanted to meet Jung Hoo Lee,” Vitello explained to reporters during a press conference at LG Champion’s Park in Icheon, South Korea, which was translated by X from Korean to English. “I place great importance on the environment in which a player was raised, their personality, and character, and this time, I spent a lot of meaningful time here. Starting today, I want to continue getting to know him throughout the rest of the season.”
토니 비텔로 감독 “한국에 온 가장 큰 이유는 이정후와 만나고 싶어서다. 선수가 자란 환경, 성격, 인성을 중요하게 생각하는데 이번에 와서 뚯깊은 시간을 많이 보냈다. 오늘을 시작으로 남은 시즌 계속 알아가고 싶다” pic.twitter.com/X1dgbIWq0w
— 배지헌 (@jhpae117) January 7, 2026
Vitello is invested in making connections with his new players, and making a more-than-5,000-mile trip to a player’s homeland to simply meet is the latest example.
Shortstop Willy Adames is also making that investment with his teammate.
“I wanted to come to Korea and show my love for Jung Hoo Lee,” Adames said. I wanted to show how important he is to the Giants.”
윌리 아다메스 “한국에 와서 이정후에 대한 사랑을 보여드리고 싶었다. 그가 자이언츠에 얼마나 중요한 존재인지 보여주고 싶었다” pic.twitter.com/svlmt35sKZ
— 배지헌 (@jhpae117) January 7, 2026
Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey and CEO Larry Baer also made the trip.
“The love and respect for Jung Hoo Lee has been growing every day since the first day of his visit to Korea,” Baer noted during the press conference. “Jung Hoo Lee has a great influence both inside and outside the ballpark.”
Baer also praised Lee as a player who “makes it a crazy atmosphere” at Oracle Park.
Several Giants business managers also made the trip, according to the Maeil Business Newspaper.
The Giants hope to build partnerships with Korean companies to advertise at Oracle Park, Baer says.
“We knew that these companies had a strong interest in the Giants,” Baer explained. “This will be a big part of our future. In the future, when you watch the game at Oracle Park, you will see signs from familiar companies based in Korea.”
The Giants’ trip to South Korea may prove to be fruitful in more ways than just supporting their young outfielder.
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