The Kia Tigers have completed the all-time regular season of 2024. It has won the regular league title for the first time in seven years since 2017, joining the Korean Series on a first-come, first-served basis. It challenged for the 12th time ever to win the title. It sold out for the 30th time, and sold out for nine consecutive games, attracting 1,259,249 fans to the Champions Field. With the emergence of a superstar named Kim Do-young, who challenged for 40 home runs and 40 steals, the team achieved huge success and box office success.
It doesn’t stop there. Another star who will carry the future of KIA has overcome the bad luck to stand up. Kim Do-young’s classmate, Kim Do-young, has been nicknamed “Rival in Gwangju” since the 2022 season. He has suffered from fractured left and right back of the hand, thigh injury and side injury for the past three years. He has already become a superstar.
After playing in the Futures League, he secured the regular league title and was called up to the first team. As soon as he moved up to the mound, he displayed impressive batting performance. He had three hits in the match against Samsung on Sept. 23, and hit two doubles the next day. After two hits against Hanwha in Daejeon on Sept. 27, Sajik Lotte on Sept. 28, he had two hits and three RBIs.
Finally, the long-awaited shot exploded on Sept. 30. Up until his fourth at-bat, he hit one infield hit. He struck out swinging at the first batter’s box in the first inning, but hit an infield hit in the second inning to post an RBI. He struck out again in the fourth inning and hit an infield grounder in the sixth inning. He didn’t hit hard. However, he swung hard at his last at-bat.
As the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the eighth inning, he hit a slider at second base by NC`s Jeon Sam-min to well over the left fence. It was his first home run since his debut, and he also had multi hits and two RBIs on the day. “Coach Cho Seung-beom advised me that my overall offense is passive until the first four at-bats. I was happy and appalled that the idea of swinging confidently without thinking about anything else in the last at-bat led to a good result.”
“After last year’s injury, I personally prepared since this year’s spring camp and looked forward to it myself. As I was injured at the end of the camp, I was also disappointed. People around me advised me that opportunities would come when I prepare again, and thanks to a lot of encouragement, I am satisfied and happy to show you a good performance at the end of the season. I think the future is more important and I will try to show better performances,” he said.
Yoon clearly showed his impressive performance in six games. He had 11 hits in 27 times at bat with a batting average of 407, two doubles, one homerun, eight RBIs and five runs scored, and OPS 1,000. He also played third, second, and shortstop, all showing off his utility skills. He even stole bases and showed off his fast feet. He has a chance to join the Korean Series entry.
Kim Do-young, her friend, also gave her advice. “If you keep running, your opponent will dig into your weaknesses a lot. I felt that a lot. If you keep paying attention to yourself like you are now, you will be able to grow even bigger.” A short period (at the end of the season) would be a very meaningful moment. I know Do-hyun’s skills. I still have a lot to show you,” he said, giving a thumbs-up. 안전놀이터
At the same time, he said, “Another buzzword, Donisal, came out. I will compete for Donisal.” Donisal was a buzzword, “Do-young, you have to live your life.” It was used exclusively for Kim Do-young, who had all-time offensive power throughout the season. With Yoon Do-hyun’s appearance, however, even the phrase “Do-hyun, you have to live your life your life” appeared. Kim Do-young welcomed her friend’s appearance with a pleasant joke.