Lee Jong Beom is a South Korean retired baseball player turned coach. He graduated from Gwangju Jeil High School and later obtained a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Konkuk University.

He was chosen by the KIA Tigers (previously known as the Haitai Tigers) in 1993, and he immediately excelled at shortstop due to his quick reflexes and speed. In his rookie season, he led the league in runs and stolen bases, was named to the All-Star team, won a Golden Glove Award, and led the Tigers to the Korean Series championship, where he was named series MVP.

In 1998, he moved to the Nippon Professional Baseball and signed with the Chunichi Dragons. However, he was hit by a pitch early in the season and broke his elbow, causing lingering pain even after the fracture healed. He opted to move to the outfield, where he played for the rest of his career. He returned to South Korea in 2001 after a disappointing performance in Japan and signed with the KIA Tigers again.

He represented his country in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and returned to form after several injuries, leading the Tigers to successful seasons. He announced his retirement in 2012 and has worked as a coach and commentator for MBC during special events.

(Source: kisskh) Edit Biography