"The best defense of my life": Super catch and double out praised by Nail, "It wasn't an easy hit, but he's a professional outfielder" — KIA's Kim Ho-ryeong's sense of responsibility

*This content was translated by AI.

"It was the best defense of my life."

Everyone expected a run to score. But Kim Ho-ryeong (34, KIA Tigers) soared through the air and erased what seemed like a hit as if by magic. He even retired the first baseman who had taken off quickly, ending the inning right there. Even James Nail could not hide his admiration for the super catch that made everyone doubt their eyes.

Kim Ho-ryeong started at center field as the leadoff hitter in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League away game against SSG Landers held at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 18th.

At the plate, he reached base with an infield hit that required a diving effort in the bottom of the third inning and contributed to the team's first run. He also led off the top of the sixth while the team held a three-run lead, recording a hit and a stolen base before scoring on a subsequent run. He appeared as the leadoff hitter again in the eighth inning, getting a hit that led to an additional run. But what truly shone for Kim Ho-ryeong was his decisive defensive play in the fifth inning.

In the bottom of the fifth with the team leading 5-2 and one out with a runner on first base, Park Sung-han's batted ball headed deep into left-center field. The quick-footed Jung Jun-jae sensed an hit and started early to chase it down. It seemed impossible to prevent a run at that moment. But Kim Ho-ryeong, who quickly chased the ball, leaped and knocked it away.

Up to this point, such scenes are not uncommon among center fielders with quick feet and excellent defense. However, when the following play was added, it sent the KIA fans filling the away stands into a frenzy.

Kim Ho-ryeong, who had snatched the ball, quickly got up and threw rapidly to first base. Jung Jun-jae hurried back to the bag, but the ball arrived at first base even sooner. In an instant, two outs were recorded, and Nail raised both arms high in admiration, unable to contain his praise.

After the game, KIA manager Lee Beom-ho praised Kim Ho-ryeong, saying, "Kim Ho-ryeong excelled in all aspects of offense and defense. The double-out play in the bottom of the fifth inning further boosted the atmosphere."

Nail said, "Kim Ho-ryeong endured that pressure and everything else to make a diving catch, which was a play that could crush the opposing team's spirit. His reaction came naturally because he was so happy. I may not have conveyed it perfectly, but I think Ho-ryeong understood the feeling well after receiving a hug." He also said "Thank you" in somewhat awkward Korean.

Kim Ho-ryeong fully received that sentiment. He smiled and said, "Nail doesn't usually do this, but he came over and hugged me, praising my play as the best defense of his life."

It was a super catch so surprising that no one could believe it, yet Kim Ho-ryeong had his own confidence. "I thought I had to catch it first, so I ran toward it. By the time I got almost there, I thought, 'Now I can catch it,' and 'If I dive, I can catch it.' So I caught it, and then catching the runner with the throw made it even better," he said. "It wasn't an easy hit, but as a professional outfielder..." Although everyone thought the hit was impossible, Kim Ho-ryeong, KIA's starting center fielder, threw himself into the play with a sense of responsibility to handle it somehow, surprising everyone.

This is not a defensive play achievable by a single outstanding ability alone. It requires simultaneously possessing the judgment to move quickly right after the ball is hit, fast feet, the boldness to accept the risk of the ball slipping away, and the ability to make an accurate catch even while in mid-air.

Kim Ho-ryeong summarized all of this in one word: "I think it's instinct. When I practice outfield batting defense every day, I learn where such hits will land, and after practicing those types of hits so much, it has become second nature to my body," he explained.

Because he was busy chasing the ball, he could not check the first baseman's position accurately. However, Kim Ho-ryeong said, "Since there was a runner on first base, I got up immediately and looked, but I couldn't see him. So I thought if I threw it, he would be caught."

In recent years, Kim Ho-ryeong has stolen Park Sung-han's hits in this manner several times. He smiled awkwardly and said, "I'm unintentionally catching Sung-han's hits. I feel a bit sorry about that."

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*This content was translated by AI.