He didn't expect his first trip to include a hug from his favorite player, but there he was Tuesday, April 21, at Comerica Park, standing on the field watching players take batting practice when Detroit Tigers outfielder Jahmai Jones walked toward him.
Jones handed Hur a custom Team Korea jersey after a handshake and hug, stitched with his last name and his No. 15 from the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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Hur is a popular Detroit Pistons fan from Seoul, South Korea.
Hur, also known as KoreaPistonsFan on social media, traveled nearly 7,000 miles to Detroit primarily for the NBA playoffs, but he carved out time in his jam-packed schedule to experience for his first baseball game. He showed up to Comerica Park after checking out the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, one of the many non-sporting attractions on his must-see list.
"It's my first time in any ballpark," Hur said. "I was geeking out watching the players warm up – and then suddenly, Jahmai Jones approaches me."
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Jahmai Jones of Team Republic of Korea bats in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 8, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.Jahmai Jones (15) celebrates with Team Republic of Korea teammates after scoring a run in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan.Jahmai Jones of Team Republic of Korea celebrates after hitting a single in the third inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.Team Republic of Korea outfielder Jahmai Jones bats against Japan in a World Baseball Classic Pool C game at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, March 7, 2026.Jahmai Jones of Team Republic of Korea celebrates after hitting a single in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan.Jahmai Jones of Team Republic of Korea leaves the field after the 8-6 loss to Japan during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.Jahmai Jones of Team Republic of Korea grounds out in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 8, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.Team Republic of Korea outfielder Jahmai Jones celebrates hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning at the Tokyo Dome on March 5, 2026, against the Czech Republic in a World Baseball Classic Pool C game.1 / 8Jahmai Jones, Tigers OF, stars on Team Korea in World Baseball ClassicJahmai Jones of Team Republic of Korea bats in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 8, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.1 / 8Jahmai Jones, Tigers OF, stars on Team Korea in World Baseball ClassicJahmai Jones of Team Republic of Korea bats in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 8, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.2 / 8Jahmai Jones, Tigers OF, stars on Team Korea in World Baseball ClassicJahmai Jones (15) celebrates with Team Republic of Korea teammates after scoring a run in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan.3 / 8Jahmai Jones, Tigers OF, stars on Team Korea in World Baseball ClassicJahmai Jones of Team Republic of Korea celebrates after hitting a single in the third inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.4 / 8Jahmai Jones, Tigers OF, stars on Team Korea in World Baseball ClassicTeam Republic of Korea outfielder Jahmai Jones bats against Japan in a World Baseball Classic Pool C game at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, March 7, 2026.5 / 8Jahmai Jones, Tigers OF, stars on Team Korea in World Baseball ClassicJahmai Jones of Team Republic of Korea celebrates after hitting a single in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan.6 / 8Jahmai Jones, Tigers OF, stars on Team Korea in World Baseball ClassicJahmai Jones of Team Republic of Korea leaves the field after the 8-6 loss to Japan during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.7 / 8Jahmai Jones, Tigers OF, stars on Team Korea in World Baseball ClassicJahmai Jones of Team Republic of Korea grounds out in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 8, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.8 / 8Jahmai Jones, Tigers OF, stars on Team Korea in World Baseball ClassicTeam Republic of Korea outfielder Jahmai Jones celebrates hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning at the Tokyo Dome on March 5, 2026, against the Czech Republic in a World Baseball Classic Pool C game.Hur discovered Jones during the World Baseball Classic, learning about how Jones represented Team Korea as a way to honor his mother, who was born in South Korea and adopted to the United States. That connection made Jones eligible to play for South Korea, even though he was born in Roswell, Georgia.
"When I saw him come up to me, I couldn't believe it," Hur said.
Jones signed the Team Korea jersey in both English and Korean. He accidentally spelled his name wrong in Korean, prompting Hur to correct him.
"He got it wrong at first and corrected it," Hur said. "That makes it even more special."
Jahmai Jones joins the action with Team Korea's 4th homer of the game! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/KJArb1siIo
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 5, 2026
The jersey idea from the Tigers came together quickly.
Wael Ankouni, the Tigers' social media manager, tracked down a generic Team Korea jersey from a small store called Peligro Sports in New York. Ankouni had the jersey customized with "Jones 15" and rushed to Detroit in time for Hur's first game.
"As soon as I brought it up to Jahmai, he's like, 'Absolutely, let's do it,'" Ankouni said. "He knew who Tom was right away."
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Hur watched Tuesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers from the front row of the Priority Club, seated directly behind home plate. He was so close to the action that he wondered if he would be on television.
"Yes, you'll be on TV," Ankouni told him.
"I'll be cheering the whole game," Hur said.