Finally! Kim Do-young's 40th home run erupts → Tigers' domestic batter achieves 'first-ever' 40-home run milestone, a golden monument

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers' "superstar" Kim Do-young (23) finally launched the season's awaited 40th home run arc, leaving an immortal mark in the history of the Tigers franchise.

Kim Do-young started as the third-order hitter and third baseman in the away game against Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 8th during the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League. Although he narrowly missed the record for "youngest player to hit 40 home runs in a season," his bat never cooled as it aimed toward the monumental goal of becoming the first domestic player in Tigers franchise history to hit 40 home runs.

The moment for this historic achievement came in the bottom of the sixth inning when the team was trailing 1-4. Kim Do-young, leading off the inning at the plate, faced relief pitcher Satoshi, who had been brought in after starting pitcher Choi Won-tae.

The outcome was decided by a single pitch. With a count of 0 balls and 0 strikes, as Satoshi's first pitch—a 149 km/h fastball—came low into the center of the strike zone, Kim Do-young swung without hesitation. The ball struck dead center on the bat and soared like a clothesline, landing in the upper section of the stands behind left field for a massive 128-meter solo home run. It was a thrilling comeback shot that ignited the team's sluggish atmosphere.

With this, Kim Do-young wrote new history by becoming the first domestic batter in Tigers franchise history, including the Haitai era, to reach the 40th-home run milestone in a single season. This ties the franchise record for most home runs in a season (40), set by Tracy Sanders in 1999, and if he hits his 41st home run, he will alone establish a new all-time franchise record for most home runs in a season.

Furthermore, Kim Do-young widened the gap with Austin Dean of LG, who is second in home runs with 36, sending a green light toward securing his first-ever home run champion title, which he missed two years ago. As he prepares to be called up for the Asian Games national team, Kim Do-young's bat, having fully regained its hitting form, is not only writing legends for the Tigers but also forging new history in the KBO League.

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*This content was translated by AI.