KS direct KIA, now Kim Do-young's time, but there is something more important than 40-40

Sep 19, 2024

The LG-KIA match held at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 3rd. In the bottom of the 5th inning, Kim Do-young is in pain after being hit with his left elbow by Hernandez's pitch. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.9.3/

The Hanwha-KIA match held at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 5th. Kim Do-young, who caught the ball when Jang Jin-hyuk grounded out to third base with two outs and runners on the first and second bases in the top of the eighth inning, collides with second baseman Peraza and falls down. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.9.5/

Now, there is a stage where you can take on the challenge without regret.

Attention is focusing on whether KIA Tigers' Kim Do-young, who is approaching 40 home runs and 40 steals by three and one, respectively, will achieve the record. KIA, which confirmed its early victory in the pennant race, is poised to fully support Kim Do-young, who is challenging to achieve a milestone, while there is room for the team and lineup operation. KIA manager Lee Bum-ho has expressed his intention to give Kim Do-young as many batting opportunities as possible through batting adjustments if he wins the pennant race early.

In September, Kim hit three home runs in 42 at-bats. He was silent for a while after shooting No. 35 in the match against Samsung in Gwangju on the 1st, but he drove two in the match against Incheon SSG on the 16th to reach No. 37.

The Kiwoom-KIA match at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 8th. With no outs and runners on the first and third bases in the bottom of the third inning, Kim Do-young hits an RBI and a ground ball to the third base. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.9.8/

The Kiwoom-KIA match at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 8th. Kim Do-young is cheering after hitting an RBI triple from behind in the bottom of the eighth inning with one out and second base. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.9.8/

The Kiwoom-KIA match at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 8th. Kim Do-young is running after hitting an RBI triple from behind in the bottom of the eighth inning with one out and second base. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.9.8/

KIA will play against Doosan in Jamsil on the 19th and then go down to its home city of Gwangju to play NC on the 21st, Samsung on the 23rd and Lotte on the 25th. After that, he will take a day off and close the pennant race with Daejeon Hanwha on the 27th and Busan Lotte on the 28th.

Initially, coach Lee planned to give Kim Do-young, who played a full-time season in the first division for the first time this year, a break. But Kim Do-young "I want to play until the final game of the season as much as possible." has shown a willingness. Coach Lee chose to accept Kim Do-young's intention at a time when he was on the verge of achieving a record.

It's a milestone goal that everyone wants, but it's not that there's no fear at all.

The Hanwha-KIA match held at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 5th. Kim Do-young, who caught the ball when Jang Jin-hyuk grounded out to third base with two outs and runners on the first and second bases in the top of the eighth inning, collides with second baseman Peraza and falls down. Kim Do-young was eventually replaced. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.9.5/

The top priority is to avoid injuries that could occur in the process of achieving the record. KIA is relaxed, but the rest of the teams are still in a fierce ranking battle. In the meantime, no pitcher wants to fall victim to the milestone. The check against Kim Do-young is bound to be that strong. Variables that may occur in the process of attempting to steal one more base should also be considered.

Kim Do-young's first full-time season in three years after his debut was also the cause of injury. After the first year of his debut, which he spent in terrible growing pains, he started at a good pace early last year, when he was in his second year after consultation. However, he suffered a metatarsal fracture in the process of rushing home in the opening two games and rested for more than two months. After returning to the game at the end of the first half, he ended the season with amazing performance, but suffered another fracture during the first base head first sliding in the APBC (Asian Professional Baseball Championship) final. A major injury that makes it uncertain to join early this season. Fortunately, he joined the opening entry with remarkable resilience, but remained in the batting average of .200 for nearly a month in the first half of the opening period.

KIA-SSG match at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 17th. Kim Do-young hits first base with no outs in the top of the seventh inning. Incheon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.9.17/

The Kiwoom-KIA match held at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 8th. KIA came from behind to win 5-2. Kim Do-young, who hit the final shot, is making a heart for his fans. Kim Do-young scored 30 home runs, 30 steals, 100 RBIs and 100 runs as the third and youngest RBI in history. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.9.8/

It's true that the 40-40 record is a big opportunity to try again. However, for KIA, which has to win the Korean Series over pennant races and achieve the V12, Kim Do-young's departure is nothing short of a nuclear bomb-grade bad news. It is important to achieve a record, but Kim Do-young's first priority is to play in perfect physical condition for the Korean Series. Kim Do-young himself once paid attention to preventing injuries, such as controlling stolen bases, but now that he is on the verge of achieving a record, his importance is bound to grow.

ppark@sportschosun.com

KS direct KIA, now Kim Do-young's time, but there is something more important than 40-40

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