Lee, Encarnacion's friendship knows no barriers

SAN FRANCISCO -- The language of baseball is universal.

For proof of concept, look no further than the bond that has formed between Giants outfielders Jung Hoo Lee and Jerar Encarnacion.

The two grew up on opposite sides of the world -- Lee hails from South Korea and Encarnacion is from the Dominican Republic -- and yet they became fast friends when they became teammates in San Francisco two years ago.

“They have a really good dynamic,” left fielder Heliot Ramos said. “They’re always playing around each other and all that, so it’s kind of funny.”

“I think we all enjoy that little camaraderie that they’ve got going,” fellow outfielder Drew Gilbert said. “It’s good energy, and it’s good vibes. What more could you ask for, right? It’s a little unique, too, for obvious reasons. But it makes it that much more fun. We all enjoy it, for sure.”

Lee made the jump from the KBO to the Majors after joining the Giants on a six-year, $113 million deal in December 2023, though he appeared in only 37 games before suffering a season-ending left shoulder injury in '24. When he was in the midst of his rehab, the Giants called up Encarnacion, who opened the season in the Mexican League before bashing his way back to the Majors in August ‘24.

The two hit it off right away and ended up becoming lockermates the following season, which only strengthened their connection.

“Jery has always been that kind of guy that just gives out a lot of happy energy around the clubhouse,” Lee said via interpreter Justin Han. “In 2025, we got to sit right beside each other throughout the whole year in the clubhouse. It'd be a daily joke-around thing where we got closer to each other every day.”

Encarnacion knows first-hand how challenging it can be to adjust to life in a foreign country, so he wanted to make an effort to get to know Lee and make him feel comfortable with the Giants.

“He didn’t have a lot of friends here with the team,” Encarnacion said in Spanish. “They put me right next to his locker, so we started talking. We’ve managed to communicate well so far.”

Lee’s native tongue is Korean and Encarnacion’s is Spanish, but the two have created a unique system to help navigate their respective language barriers. (Han also fills in the gaps by providing English translation when needed.)

“It's more of a trilingual communication right now,” Lee said. “I would use Korean, Spanish and English. Also for Jery, he would use Korean, Spanish and English.”

Lee said his favorite Spanish words are gracias (thank you) and buenos días (good morning). Encarnacion has picked up Korean phrases such as 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo, which translates to hello); 닥쳐 (dak-cheo, or shut up); and 감사합니다 (gamsahabnida, i.e. thank you).

“I guess Jerar knows a little more Korean than you’d think,” Gilbert said. “They kind of learn each other’s language a little bit. It’s funny to watch, man.”

Encarnacion has been known to crash Lee’s interviews with the Korean media, sticking his phone out into the scrum and nodding along as if he were another member of the press. The Giants’ social media team even commemorated their friendship by having them make a joint hand mold for Valentine’s Day.

“I just think Jerar can get along with anybody,” Ramos said. “It’s just how funny he is. He’s always goofing around. Jungy loves that. I think it’s very interesting, the Korean language. Jerar just always asks him stuff, and they start playing around each other all the time.”

The cultural exchange has extended beyond the field, with Lee and Han inviting Encarnacion to join them for dinner at Korean restaurants.

“I've invited Jery out to a Korean dinner once in San Francisco,” Lee said. “I remember that we had a heck of a time. We like to go out and eat a lot. He's a foodie. I'm a foodie, so we always have a good time out there.”

Encarnacion said Lee has yet to accept his offer to go out and try Dominican food, though.

“I’ve invited him, but sometimes he has family here, so he hasn’t been able to make it,” Encarnacion said. “But God willing, I’ll take him. Or when my mom comes, I’ll bring him some food.”