The coronation ceremony of a superstar who thinks about the future of Korean baseball is the first MVP born in the 2000s

Nov 26, 2024

KIA Kim Do-young, who won the MVP award, is kissing the trophy at the 2024 KBO Awards held at Lotte Hotel World on the 26th. Jamsil = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.11.26/

'Because it's the biggest award ceremony, he has a good sense of renting a white three-fit suit and attending. The KBO League has witnessed the coronation of a new superstar.

The hero of the 2024 KBO Awards held at the crystal ballroom of Lotte Hotel World in Seoul on the 26th was Kim Do-young (21) of the KIA Tigers. Kim Do-young, who won the individual title as the league's top scorer and slugging percentage, received the MVP award with overwhelming support, winning 94.06% of 95 votes out of 101 MVP votes. The competitors were also outstanding. Victor Reyes (3 votes), who set a new record for the most hits, Mel Rojas Jr., the league's best foreign hitter (1 vote), Kyle Hart (1 vote), and Won Tae-in (1 vote). However, Pyo Shim turned to Kim Do-young.

The 2024 KBO Awards ceremony was held at Lotte Hotel World in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 26th. KIA Kim Do-young, who was selected as MVP, is posing with President Heo Gu-yeon and KIA Domestic Business Headquarters Director Jung Won-jung. Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.11.26/

Kim Do-young, who has been in the spotlight since KIA's first nomination, has not been in full bloom over the past two seasons due to repeated major injuries. However, it was in full bloom this year, in its third year as a professional. He started to fully hit his skills from the beginning of the season, and completed the game without injury, showing his best performance, including the youngest 30 home runs-30 steals and the first 10 home runs-10 steals per month. It was not the home run king, the batting king, or the RBI king, but it was enough to win the MVP title even without a more colorful individual title. His team KIA, which enjoyed the Kim Do-young effect, won the regular season and the Korean Series for the first time in seven years, and he was at the center of it.

It is the birth of the first MVP born in the 2000s and the birth of a professional baseball superstar. For the past five years, the KBO League MVP has been a feast for foreign players. Lee Jung-hoo was the only Korean player. Josh Lindblom of the Doosan Bears in 2019, KT Rojas in 2020, Ariel Miranda of the Doosan Bears in 2021, and Eric Peddy of the NC Dinos in 2023. Except for Lee Jung-hoo, the 2022 MVP, all of them were foreign players. As such, the most overwhelming impact in the league was taken up by foreign players, not domestic players. Lee Jung-hoo quenched his thirst, and Kim Do-young appeared after Lee Jung-hoo entered the Major League.

The 2024 KBO Awards ceremony was held at Lotte Hotel World in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 26th. KIA Kim Do-young, who was selected as MVP, is posing with President Heo Gu-yeon and Kia's domestic business head Jung Won-jung. Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.11.26/

Kim Do-young's biggest advantage is star quality. Since high school, he has been evaluated as having the qualifications to become the second Lee Jong-beom, and even though he went through trials in the early days of joining the team, he finally overcame it and performed like a monster. He had this growth narrative and was supported by bigger fans because he was from his team's local hometown. Not only is he a player representing KIA, but he also stands out as a national player.

The 2024 KBO Awards ceremony was held at Lotte Hotel World in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 26th. KIA Kim Do-young, who was selected as MVP, is giving his impression of winning the award. Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.11.26/

Kim Do-young said in her speech after winning the MVP award that `While making baseball okay this year, I have seen many stories in articles that players like me should lead and develop Korean baseball. To repay such a story, I think I went overboard at the ballpark and did a lot of more controversial actions outside the ballpark. I want to lead the development of Korean baseball even as I get older in the future. I'll always be humble in baseball" was applauded for his remarks. Although he is still a young player in his early 20s, it is a meaningful message to fully recognize the weight of the crown and have the responsibility to match it.

youll@sportschosun.com

The coronation ceremony of a superstar who thinks about the future of Korean baseball is the first MVP born in the 2000s

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