Kim Do-young (21) of the Kia Tigers will aim for a batting average of 30-30 homers, 30-30 steals, 100 RBIs and 100 runs. This figure represents the “record of dreams.”
As of Thursday, Kim has already hit .300 (0.345), 30 homers (34), 30 steals (36), and 100 runs (120), and has started counting to achieve 100 RBIs with 97 RBIs. Kim has already set a new record every time he plays, achieving the “youngest” 30 homers and 30 steals.
Park Jae-hong (Hyundai Unicorns) in 2000 and Eric Thames (NC Dinos) in 2015 are the only legends that have left such brilliant footprints in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). It is a historical fact that Kim Do-young is on par with such “monsters” in her early 20s that neither Lee Seung-yeop, the “national batter,” nor Lee Jong-beom, the “son of the wind.” Joining the “3-30-30-100-100” club after just three years of professional career is almost a dream in some ways.
KIA, with Kim Do-young’s performance at the forefront, has been at the top of the league by 4.5 games since taking the lead on June 12. Kim Do-young, the team’s leading vanguard, has virtually reserved the MVP award of the regular league. This is because Kim Do-young’s record is overwhelming. He is ranking second in batting, second in home runs, third in RBIs, first in runs, fifth in stolen bases (36), second in on-base percentage (0.420), first in slugging percentage (0.644), and fourth in hits (162).
Kim has accomplished many things this season. He has set several records including 10 homers and 10 steals per month for the first time in the KBO league, 20-20 for the youngest first half, 20-2 for the youngest at-bat, natural cycling hits for the youngest and 100 points for the youngest and the youngest game in a single season. He has already broken Park’s 30-30 record as the youngest player to become an MVP candidate.
Kia has 20 remaining matches in the remaining season. It is a positive development for the team to have some rest days. If the team recovers its physical strength at the end of the season while maintaining its batting average, it can become the youngest player in the team to score 30 home runs, 30 steals, 100 RBIs, and 100 runs scored.
Kia will move to Daegu on Thursday to hold two consecutive games with Samsung, which ranks second. As it is a season where players can gain strength if they meet second place and play at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, which is advantageous for batters, Kim Do-young can have high expectations for her performance. Kim will likely focus more on confirming her team’s advance to the Korean Series. 스포츠토토
Another “good schedule to pour in” is that you can take three days off after playing six consecutive home games from September 3rd. Kim Do-young also said after the match against SSG on the 28th, “I think I’m more conscious of 100 RBIs. I know why RBI is important, so I’m trying to be more careful and bring more runners when the opportunity comes.”
Kim Do-young also has the possibility of “the first 40 home runs – 40 steals” if she gains momentum. This is why Kim Do-young is expected until the end of the season.
Meanwhile, in commemoration of exceeding 9 million spectators for the first time in professional baseball, the KBO Secretariat and 10 clubs have decided to present regular league tickets worth 54 million won to baseball fans.
