KT Awaits a Veteran's Blast! Kim Hyun-soo Eyes the Milestone of 500 Doubles, Having Cleared Only Choi Hyung-woo

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Hyun-soo (38, KT Wiz), a "hitting machine" who began as a developmental player and gained experience in Major League Baseball (MLB) before returning to the KBO League, stands on the verge of achieving 500 career doubles—a feat accomplished by only one person in KBO history.

According to the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), Kim Hyun-soo recorded 498 doubles through the 7th. With just two more doubles added, he will become the second player in KBO history to reach 500 career doubles, following Choi Hyung-woo (43, Samsung Lions).

The number holds even greater significance when considering Kim's professional beginnings. After graduating from Sinil High School, Kim was not selected in the 2006 KBO Rookie Draft and joined Doosan Bears as a developmental player. He made his first-team debut on September 2 of that year against Cheongju Hanwha Eagles. The following year, on April 15, during a match against Jamsil SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers), he hit his first double—a left-center field two-bagger off Jung Woo-ram.

Since then, he has consistently accumulated extra-base hits. He recorded his 100th double on June 2010 against KIA Tigers and his 200th on August 2014 against NC Dinos. Even after returning from playing for the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies in MLB during 2016–2017, his pace never slowed. He surpassed 300 career doubles in 2019 and crossed the 400th mark in 2023.

This year, his record-breaking march continues. In 117 games, Kim is batting .271 (127 hits in 468 at-bats), with nine home runs, 76 RBIs, an on-base percentage of .339, and a slugging percentage of .387. He has recorded 27 doubles this season, bringing his career total to 498. His batting average with runners in scoring position stands at .328, continuing his role as a key clutch hitter.

His recent hitting form has not been particularly hot. Over the last 10 games, he has batted .237 (9 hits in 38 at-bats). Nevertheless, in his most recent game on the 6th against Gwangju KIA Tigers, he went 2-for-4 with one RBI, including a double among his hits.

This is also welcome news for KT. Just three days prior, KT had swept Hanwha to reclaim the top spot with a record of 69 wins, 3 ties, and 43 losses. However, they immediately lost all three games in Gwangju against KIA. As of the conclusion on the 6th, their record stood at 69 wins, 3 ties, and 46 losses, with a winning percentage of .600, placing them second—1.5 games behind Samsung (72 wins, 3 ties, 46 losses). Their recent 10-game record is also five wins and five losses.

As the regular season nears its climax and every game becomes crucial in the race for first place, the presence of a veteran like Kim Hyun-soo grows even more significant. This season alone, Kim has already written new history as the first player in KBO to achieve 100 hits in 17 consecutive seasons. His career totals now stand at 2,338 games played, 2,659 hits, 270 home runs, and 1,598 RBIs. With just two more doubles, he will add another milestone to his legacy.

Kim Hyun-soo, who began as a developmental player, went on to represent the national team, played in MLB, and has now spent 21 years on the professional stage. For him personally, it is about achieving the historic 500 doubles; for KT, it is about staging a comeback to reclaim first place. This is why fans eagerly await the next two powerful hits from this veteran.

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*This content was translated by AI.