With more than 40 games left per team in the 2024 KBO League, the KIA Tigers are leading the league by beating the second-ranked LG Twins by five games (as of Aug. 1). The team is about to advance to the Korean Series for the first time in seven years since it won the 2017 Korean Series.토토사이트
The two engines that lead KIA to run are Kim Do-young (20) and Choi Hyung-woo (40). Third baseman Kim Do-young is overwhelmed as he is about to join the 30-30 club (more than 30 homers and steals in a season) as the youngest player in the KBO league. On July 23, he recorded his second natural cycling hit (one hit per game – two hits, three hits per game) against the NC Dinos.
Coming up as the designated hitter at No. 4, Choi is both a fixer and a man of record. He is an RBI machine that brings in runners at chances. He has posted the highest number of RBIs in the KBO league (1,634), the highest number of doubles (511), and the highest number of Ruta (4,146). He is also keeping the record of being the oldest player in the field. Having become the oldest Mr. All-Star in the All-Star Game in the Korean pro baseball on July 6, he hit the oldest grand slam (40 years, 6 months, and 23 days) against the LG Twins three days later.
“We’re the best among the domestic players.” I have faith
He met Choi Hyung-woo at Gwangju KIA Champions Field in time for KIA’s home game. “It’s a tough time as the weather is hot and the season is nearing the end, but I don’t know if it’s hard because the team’s atmosphere is so good,” he said with a smile. “As the younger brothers continue to win games, they are experiencing their ability to improve one level. It is similar to the atmosphere when they won the Korean Series in 2017.”
Q: Did you expect it to be this popular.
A: “Even before the opening, there was a belief that ‘we are the best in the domestic players’. The problem was that they were mercenaries (foreign players), but they seem to be doing better than expected. The winning rate is especially high when you compete with the second place team, but I didn’t think much about it at first. As we continued to match up with the second place team by chance, I think the sense of ‘let’s try again since we’ve been winning anyway’ has been established in the squad.”
Q: Director Lee Bum-ho’s leadership, who is a beginner, stands out.
A: “BEOMGYU’s biggest advantage is that he is friendly with the players. During the game, he rubs the players’ shoulders, slaps their hips, and exchanges jokes. Even if you make a mistake, you don’t usually shoot laser beam on the spot. Players work out on their own without paying attention to the coach, which makes the team even better. I also want to become a leader like Bum-ho after retirement.”
After graduating from Jeonju Dongjung High School, Choi was drafted by the Samsung Lions in the second round (48 times overall) in 2002. After playing in six games, he played in the second division and was released in 2005. Fortunately, he joined a police baseball team and changed his position from catcher to outfielder, displaying batting talent. Re-entering Samsung in 2008, he led the team to four consecutive Korean Series championships (2011-14) as an undisputed No. 4 hitter, and moved to Kia for a four-year total of 10 billion won (approx.
Q: What’s the secret to consistently performing well?
A: “That question is the least interesting. I eat, sleep, and exercise just like other players. I think they gave me more time to play baseball in the sky because I was a professional later than others. As I gained experience, I got used to reading pitchers’ ball combinations, and I think I got more experience to overcome when the batting cycle dropped.”
Q: What are your thoughts on the ABS (Automatic Ball Determination System) introduced this year?
A: “Honestly, I have complaints from the batter’s point of view. I avoided the ball because I was afraid it would hit me or hit me in the course that I could never hit, but it’s ridiculous when a strike call comes out. However, if fans can enjoy baseball comfortably, we should accept it, too. I hope the system will be supplemented so that batters don’t feel unfair.”
Automatic ball decision, if fans want, they have to accept it
Q: What is your favorite record?
A: “I think it’s the highest number of RBIs. As the cleanup hitter, I take the batter’s box with the mindset that I have to deal with chances no matter what. As a result, I have accumulated RBIs. Of course, my record will be broken someday. Choi Jeong (37) is likely to break not only the most RBIs but also all the batting records I have
Q: What about Kim Do-young, who is 20 years his junior.
A: “DOYOUNG has to go to the U.S. (Major League Baseball) to earn foreign currency. (Laughs) It’s good to work hard, but I hope he doesn’t get greedy for the title or the record. If he gets injured, it will be a huge loss to himself and his team.”
Q: Do you think the Korean Series will go.
A: “We have to go no matter what. If we advance to the Korean Series, chances are high that our opponent will be LG. The last time LG and KIA played the Korean Series was in 1997. I think baseball fans will like this matchup if it is completed in 27 years.”
Choi, who ranks first in RBIs this season, is also challenging himself to become the “highest RBI king.” “I hope I become the RBI king, but honestly, I don’t have high expectations. Instead, I want to record 100 RBIs and 20 homers this season.” Choi is setting a new record every time he takes the batter’s box.