Kim Do-young: The New Superstar Leading KIA Tigers to the Play-offs
KIA Tigers star hitter Kim Do-young hit three home runs and drove in eight runs across three games in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason, leading his team to a three-game sweep of the LG Twins in the semi-playoffs, mk.co.kr reported.
Kim Do-young Sets Postseason Marks During Semi-Playoff Sweep
Kim dominated the semi-playoff series against the LG Twins, securing the reporter-voted Most Valuable Player award. mk.co.kr reported that Kim hit a pair of home runs in the opening game on October 17 at Gwangju Champions Field. He followed up with a 145.8-meter grand slam in the second inning of Game 3 on October 20 at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul.
That grand slam registered an exit velocity of 179.3 kilometers per hour, matching the longest distance record set in a Korean Series by Tyrone Woods for the Doosan Bears in 2001, according to mk.co.kr. Video footage of the home run surpassed one million views within a single day. Kim reflected on the shot after the game, stating that the ball flew very far and that it was hard to believe.
Kim finished the 2024 regular season as the league MVP after recording 45 home runs and 30 steals, becoming the youngest player to reach 30 home runs and 30 steals. Despite dealing with a hamstring injury last season and a nasal bone fracture caused by a hit-by-pitch last month, Kim batted .306 with 45 home runs, capturing his first career home run crown in his fifth professional season since joining the KIA Tigers in 2022.
Upcoming Playoff Matchup Against Samsung Lions
The KIA Tigers advance to face the Samsung Lions in the best-of-five playoff series beginning October 25, mk.co.kr reported. Kim posted a .306 batting average with 19 hits, nine home runs, and 20 RBIs across 16 regular-season games against Samsung. Samsung manager Park Jin-man noted after the semi-playoffs that Kim maintains his superstar form in the postseason.
Kim stated following the semi-final sweep that he remains focused and will avoid complacency as the team prepares for the next round. The winner of the playoff series advances to the Korean Series.
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