Lee Dae-ho named May MVP in Japan

Orix Buffaloes’ slugger Lee Dae-ho was named most valuable player in May, Nippon Professional Baseball announced yesterday.

The NPB said that Lee, who is in his first year in Japan, was the MVP of the month in the Pacific League. In May, the 30-year-old Korean earned a 0.322 batting average with 19 RBI and collected eight home runs with 0.632 slugging percentage. Lee also hit singles in 20 of 24 games in May.

This is the first time in six years - and the third time ever - that a Korean has received the MVP of the month award.

Sun Dong-yol, who is now manager of the Kia Tigers, was the first Korean to receive the award in May 1997.

Samsung Lions slugger Lee Seung-yeop also won the Central League MVP of the month back in June 2006 when he was playing for the Yomiuri Giants. He marked 0.396 batting average, 12 home runs and 18 RBI during that month.

Lee, the former Lotte Giants player, will receive 300,000 yen ($3,831) and a trophy. He is the 62nd player to receive the award in the Buffaloes’ history.