“You have to stick to it, why are you sending it on a walk?” (acting NC manager Gong Pil-sung)
Now, Kim Do-young (21, KIA Tigers) has only one chance to challenge for 40 (homerun)-40 (stealing). With the opponent predicting a “head-to-head match,” attention is focusing on whether he will achieve a dramatic achievement in the last game.
Kim Do-young played as the first designated hitter in the away game of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League regular season against the Lotte Giants at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 28th and recorded two hits, one walk, and one RBI in four at-bats.
He got on base due to an infield hit that missed the third base in the first inning, and was struck out by a swing and miss at the third inning. In the sixth inning, he entered the batter’s box twice in an inning amid the batter’s box explosion. After appearing on the first base with no outs, he rolled a fastball towards the shortstop and was declared safe at the first base. Kim Do-young, who stepped on the home plate thanks to Park Chan-ho’s timely hit, got a chance again after his team tied the game 6-6. However, this time, he was out on a fly to the right field at the first pitch, failing to cross the fence. In the seventh inning, he garnered a walk by pushing the ball.
Usually, Kim’s performance on the day can be said to be consistent. However, what he needs right now is two homers. Therefore, it is difficult to give great meaning to him to achieve multi hits through fast feet. He has 40 to 40 minutes left.
This season, Kim has set a number of records including the first monthly record of 10-10, the youngest 30-30, and the highest number of goals scored in a single season. And what remains as the culmination of his joining the 40-40 club is the joining of the club. The only player who achieved the 40-40 mark in the previous KBO league was Eric Thames (47 home runs and 40 steals) of the NC Dinosaurs in 2015. If Kim achieves this, he will become the second player and the first Korean player in the league.
Before the game on Friday, Kim had 38 homers and 40 steals, leaving only two homers to hit. He had his 38th homer of this season and his 40th stolen base in the match against the Samsung Lions in Gwangju on Sunday, and although his batting average of 0.333 (4 hits in 12 times at bat) was not bad in the next three games, he had few homers to hit.
As his record has been delayed, he may become anxious. Lee Beom-ho (43), Kia’s manager, also said, “I will start the game worrying that only I will not be able to hit the ball.” “When I enter the batter’s box, I want to set a record, so I know the tension when I enter the batter’s box. I know what I am thinking when I enter the batter’s box.” 먹튀검증
Now, Kia has only one game left, and it will be against the NC Dinos at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 30th. This year, Kim has a batting average of 0.434 (23 hits in 53 times at bat) and four homers in 15 games against NC. His batting average is the highest among the nine teams. On top of that, it is positive for Kim that the NC ace Kyle Hart, who was able to take the mound due to his schedule, was canceled from the first team ahead of the game on the 27th.
Even after reaching the 40-40 mark, opposing pitchers have not openly tried to avoid Kim Do-young. The same is expected of NC. Gong Pil-seong (57), NC’s acting manager, recently said about the match with Kim Do-young, “Why do we have to walk him?”
He didn’t mean to back up Kim’s record. “You have to play against a good player. That way, you can have confidence or you will try harder because you lack the ability,” Gong said. His message was that pitchers should gain something from the slugger Kim Do-young. Gong also expressed his belief that it would be much more valuable for players who challenge records to stand tall and set records.
In any case, Kim Do-young has another chance to achieve a milestone. Now all baseball fans are paying attention to Gwangju on the 30th.
