"Unbelievable" — Kim Do-young was not the unanimous MVP → The "controversial single vote" even went to an LG pitcher who was "removed in the 2nd inning" [On-site report: Preliminary Playoffs Game 3]

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KIA Tigers' "home run champion" Kim Do-young (23) hit a massive bases-loaded home run, leading his team to the Playoffs (best-of-five series). Kim Do-young recorded a total of three hits in this Preliminary Playoffs (best-of-five series), demonstrating extraordinary power by converting all of them into home runs. Following the conclusion of the series, Kim Do-young was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Preliminary Playoffs. Although he failed to secure a unanimous vote, a "controversial single vote" also emerged.

KIA secured a decisive 13-1 victory over LG Twins in Game 3 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Preliminary Playoffs, held at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 20th.

With this win, having already won Games 1 and 2 at home, KIA achieved a three-game sweep to advance to the Playoffs. Now, after taking a four-day break from the 21st to the 24th, KIA will face the Samsung Lions, who finished second in the regular season, in the Playoffs starting on the 25th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. In head-to-head matchups this season, KIA held a 9-7 record against Samsung.

The hero for KIA on this day was Kim Do-young. Starting as the third batter and third baseman, Kim Do-young hit a bases-loaded home run in the top of the 2nd inning while his team led 3-0.

With KIA leading 3-0, Kim Do-young stepped into the batter's box with one out and the bases loaded.

The first pitch was a 143 km/h strike. The second pitch, a changeup (132 km/h), was called a ball. Then came the third pitch. LG relief pitcher Kennedy's 144.4 km/h fastball drifted slightly toward the middle of the plate. Kim Do-young made solid contact, and the ball sliced through the night sky over Jamsil Stadium, clearing the left-center field fence. As soon as it hit the bat, Kim Do-young began walking toward first base while watching the ball's trajectory. Sensing it was a home run, he threw his bat and roared in celebration upon confirming the ball had cleared the fence.

The exit velocity was 179.3 km/h. The launch angle was 27.4 degrees. The distance reached an impressive 145.8 meters. The KIA fan section on the third-base side, a sea of red, was in a frenzy. It was the 21st bases-loaded home run in postseason history and the 9th bases-loaded home run in Preliminary Playoffs history. With this grand slam, KIA took a 7-0 lead, securing control of the game.

Furthermore, this bases-loaded home run by Kim Do-young was the longest in Preliminary Playoffs history. The previous record was 135 meters (Park Byung-ho of the former Kiwoom against LG on October 10, 2019, Jamsil Game 4, and two other instances). It also tied the postseason record for the longest home run (previously set by Doosan Bears' Woz against Samsung on October 28, 2001, in Game 6 of the Korea Series at Jamsil; based on KBO Records Office measurements since 2000).

Additionally, Kim Do-young, who hit a bases-loaded home run at the age of 23 years and 18 days, also set a new record for the youngest player to hit a bases-loaded home run in postseason history. The previous record was 25 years, 8 months, and 22 days, set by Kim Dong-ju (then with Doosan) in Game 4 of the Korea Series on October 25, 2001 (Samsung vs. Doosan).

Kim Do-young hit 45 home runs in 135 games during this year's regular season to claim his first career home run title. He has also showcased incredible power in this fall postseason. Coincidentally, all three of his hits have been home runs. In Game 1 on the 17th, he hit a multi-home run game (2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs). Then, on this day, he recorded one hit, which was also a home run. His stats in this Preliminary Playoffs are a .333 batting average (3-for-9), three home runs, eight RBIs, four runs scored, two walks, one hit by pitch, a 1.333 slugging percentage, and a .462 on-base percentage.

Kim Do-young was selected as the Preliminary Playoffs MVP, receiving 84 votes (an 86.6% vote share) out of 97 ballots from reporters. Following Kim Do-young, Jeon Sang-hyun received six votes, while Na Seung-beom and Neely each received three votes. However, a shocking single vote that sparked controversy also appeared: it was cast for LG starter Karasco. Karasco was removed early after pitching 1⅓ innings, allowing three hits (one home run), two walks, five runs (four earned).

After the game, Kim Do-young told reporters in an interview, "I watched the home run video and was amazed at how far the ball traveled. I still can't believe I hit a ball like that. The walk-off home run in the final regular season game was more thrilling, but the feel of this home run was better." He could not hide his joy before adding, "It feels great to end the series quickly. We will maintain this good momentum and do our best when we go to Daegu," reaffirming his determination.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original