San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee found himself in an unexpected off-field jam Wednesday evening when he was briefly detained at Los Angeles International Airport. According to his agent, Scott Boras, the incident stemmed from a paperwork issue-specifically, Lee had left his travel documents behind in South Korea while en route to California for the Giants' upcoming FanFest event in San Ramon.
It was a short-lived situation, but one that required some quick coordination. Rep.
Nancy Pelosi’s office confirmed that they worked alongside the Giants organization, federal liaisons, and other congressional partners to help resolve the matter. The Giants were in the loop from the start, with team spokesperson Shana Daum acknowledging they were aware of the situation and actively working on it.
By Wednesday evening, Boras confirmed that Lee had been released and cleared to continue his travel plans. The Giants later issued a statement explaining that the issue had been “quickly clarified with the appropriate authorities,” and thanked all parties for their professionalism in handling the situation.
For Lee, 27, this was an unexpected detour during what’s been a busy offseason. He’s heading into the third year of his six-year, $113 million deal with San Francisco-a contract that made waves when it was signed in December 2023.
After a promising debut season was cut short by a shoulder injury, Lee bounced back in 2025 with a strong showing. He played 150 games and led all Giants hitters with a .266 batting average, while also pacing the team in doubles (31) and triples (12).
That triple total wasn’t just team-best-it ranked third in all of Major League Baseball.
Lee’s importance to the Giants goes beyond the box score. He’s become a central figure in the clubhouse and a key piece of the franchise’s identity moving forward.
That’s why it wasn’t surprising to see a sizable Giants contingent-including new manager Tony Vitello and shortstop Willy Adames-travel to South Korea recently to visit Lee. That kind of commitment speaks volumes about how highly the organization values him, both as a player and a person.
While Wednesday’s airport hiccup was certainly a curveball, it looks like it’s already in the rearview mirror. Lee is now back on track and expected to be front and center at FanFest this weekend, where Giants fans will get a chance to reconnect with one of the team’s most dynamic talents.