"I told you, Kim Do-young is a real talent" 19-year-old boy →'30-30' All I'm proud of is the winning ring

Aug 23, 2024

Socratic for the interview. Reporter Kim Young-rok

A game between KIA and Lotte at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 22nd. KIA Socrates, who hit a timely two-run hit with no outs in the eighth inning. Gwangju =Song Jeong-heon, Reporter Song@sportschosun.com/2024.08.22/

"The first thought I had when I saw him was that he had a really special talent."

I watched the 19-year-old DOYOUNG grow up to become an MVP candidate of 30 (homerun)-30 (stealing).

So this year is even more special for Socrates. He suffered a slump enough to be mentioned as a candidate for withdrawal at the beginning of the season, and his recovery was later than last year.

The KIA Tigers will try to win the Korean Series for the first time in seven years since 2017. He is already in a position to win the regular season title. So the location was rather dangerous. However, KIA manager Lee Bum-ho recovered his form with strong trust. He proved his nickname 'Socratic of Summer' once again. Already, he has a batting average of 34 percent, 23 home runs and 81 RBIs, and an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of 0.877.

However, it is Kim Do-young's monster season, which is more surprising than Socrates' recovery. The scary third-year rookie has a batting average of 341, 32 homers, 90 RBIs, and 35 steals, with an OPS of 1.051. It's a year that has burst its full potential,

This year is also the third season for Socrates. He watched the growth of young Kim Do-young.

The match between KIA and Lotte at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 22nd. KIA Kim Do-young hit a solo home run against Lotte Barnes in the sixth inning. Gwangju =Song Jeong-heon, Reporter Song@sportschosun.com/2024.08.22/

Socrates, who met on the 22nd, smiled brightly all over his face when the story of Kim Do-young came out.

"When I first joined, I saw it and thought, 'Oh, a player with really good qualities' We talked a lot about 'There's a really special player in KIA' He is finally showing his talent this year. I feel like I'm leading the team by becoming a new engine for KIA."

KIA came from behind to win 6-4 against the Lotte Giants on the same day, winning 6 consecutive games and reaching the 70th victory mark. Jinx, who was struggling with Lotte, seems to have completely shaken off now.

In addition to winning the regular season, the Korean Series championship ring is also slightly visible. Socrates led his team to victory by hitting a two-run timely hit in the bottom of the eighth inning, trailing 3-4.

In particular, he gave a blow to Lotte's battery, which effectively skipped Kim Do-young at the second and third bases with no outs and chose to play against Socrates. Socrates said "Kim Sang-soo is a tricky pitcher, but I've been dealing with him for three years. I worked with the intention of aiming for a real pitch. The moment Kim Do-young walks out 'Now it's my time. I'll show it to you.' "I didn't give up until the end, so I got a good result."

"I'm in really good shape this year. I came to KIA to win. Now I want to have a champion ring. 2024 will be the best year of my life."

lunarfly@sportschosun.com

"I told you, Kim Do-young is a real talent" 19-year-old boy →'30-30' All I'm proud of is the winning ring

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