Lee Seung-yup Remembers the 2008 Beijing Olympics on 'The Day That Tails the Day'
On January 9, SBS aired an episode of the variety show 'The Day That Tails the Day' (꼬리에 꼬리를 무는 그날 이야기), featuring a nostalgic look back at the baseball events of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This Olympic event reignited the popularity of Korean professional baseball, and key figures from that time gathered for interviews.
Lee Seung-yup, who struggled with a batting average of .100 during the tournament, made a significant impact in the semifinal against Japan with a crucial double and a two-run homer in the eighth inning. However, he believes his most important contribution was securing the final out ball from the championship game against Cuba.
Lee shared, "After the 27th and final out, the KBO requested that we not throw the ball away but keep it. I thought it was important not to discard it." He added with a smile, "I think the biggest thing I did for Korean baseball was not the home run against Japan in the semifinals, but preserving that ball and handing it over to the KBO."
