New NL West rivals share surprising bond

When outfielder Jung Hoo Lee's San Francisco Giants face off against reliever Woo Suk Go's San Diego Padres this season, it won't just be a matchup between two of the best Korean players in the world, but a family affair. 

Lee and Go had known each other for years, playing on national teams together since they were teenagers and competing against each other in the KBO. 

Their relationship reached the next level in December of 2022 when Go called Lee to break the news to him that he was dating his sister. 

"I’d been asleep, so I had no idea what he was saying, and I tried to hang up after saying, 'Got it.' [Go] asked again, 'Is that OK?' and I told him again it was OK and went back to sleep," Lee told the Ilyo Newspaper (in Korean). "When I woke up, I remembered what [Go] had said, so I called him back and asked, 'What? You’re dating my sister? Why?'"

Just a month later, Go and Ga-Hyun Lee (Jung Hoo's sister) were married. 

Both Lee and Go are coming to MLB with high expectations. 

After slashing .340/.407/.491 throughout his seven-year KBO career with the Kiwoon Heroes, the Giants signed Lee to a six-year, $113M contract. Lee is expected to bat at the top of the order as the Giants' everyday center fielder. 

Go, who signed a two-year, $4.5M contract with the Padres, will likely play a significant role in their bullpen with free agent closer Josh Hader likely signing elsewhere. Go has spent the last five seasons as the closer for the LG Twins. In that stretch, Go recorded 139 saves with a 2.39 ERA. 

Lee and Go aren't the only brother-in-laws to cross paths in the major leagues. Reigning American League Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole is married to former Giant and free agent shortstop Brandon Crawford's sister. Tigers shortstop Javy Báez's and Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos' wives are sisters. Twins UTIL Willi Castro is married to free-agent shortstop Amed Rosario's sister. Padres third baseman Manny Machado is married to former first baseman Yonder Alonso's sister. 

The Korean stars won't have to wait long to face off against each other in the United States. The Giants and Padres play each other in Spring Training on March 2. The Giants then travel to San Diego on March 28 for the Padres' home opener.