"KIA's Kim Do-young says he's not worried about the home run race?" The manager's response... [Jamsil on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers Kim Do-young (23) said he is "not concerned at all" about the home run race this season. Manager Lee Beom-ho (45), the team's skipper, nodded in agreement with Kim Do-young's words.

On the 26th, ahead of the Doosan Bears' away game in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Manager Lee was asked about Kim Do-young.

When told that "Kim Do-young is not concerned at all about the home run race," Manager Lee responded, "That's likely. Judging from his current performance, he doesn't seem to be thinking much about home runs."

This was a definitive statement only possible because the manager, a "living legend" who dominated the league during his playing career, is witnessing it firsthand.

Manager Lee analyzed, "Looking at the quality and direction of his hits, he is producing many good balls to the right side. If he were aiming for home runs, he would be targeting the left side. However, since he seems intent on hitting many good balls to the right, the balls going to the left are also gaining power."

This is having a positive effect. Manager Lee added, "As a result, the number of home runs is increasing. He knows this well himself. You can see him controlling his own swing. Also, Kim Do-young has to play in the Asian Games. He likely thinks it won't be easy to win the home run race later on, but what stands out more is his stronger desire to play baseball well right now rather than chasing the home run or RBI titles." He did not hold back his praise.

Kim Do-young has hit 22 home runs this season, tying with Austin (LG Twins) for the lead in this category. Third place is held by Hilliard (KT Wiz) with 19 home runs. Fourth place is Kang Baek-ho (Hanwha Eagles) with 18 home runs. Fifth place is Choi Jung-geon of the SSG Landers with 17 home runs.

Manager Lee stated, "Austin is a very good hitter. Still, wouldn't someone playing in a smaller ballpark have an advantage? Surprisingly, I think Hilliard, who plays at a relatively small home stadium, might have an advantage. Jamsil is so large, yet he still hits like that because he has that kind of power." He continued, "It's very difficult to win the home run race at Jamsil. I myself couldn't hit many home runs at Jamsil. (Laughs) Even if you feel like you've cleared the fence, many balls were caught. So, players who play at smaller home ballparks likely have an advantage."

Earlier, after hitting multi-home runs (21st and 22nd) in the game against Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok on the 25th, Kim Do-young said regarding the home run race, "I haven't thought about it at all recently. To maintain good form, it seems right to set aside such thoughts. I don't really think about records, but I am paying attention to batting average. And I am focusing solely on the team winning," demonstrating a team-first spirit.

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*This content was translated by AI.