"I remember it clearly" October 26 is 'Kim Tae-goon's Day,' the memory of a bases-loaded home run that led to victory, and 'we avoided the worst' [Daegu On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The KIA Tigers and the Samsung Lions met in the postseason for the first time in two years, and once again, Game 1 was postponed due to rain. And there is one player wearing a mysterious smile. It is Kim Tae-goon (37), who recalls 'that day' from two years ago.

Game 1 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Playoffs (PO, best-of-five series) between KIA and Samsung, scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on the 25th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, was canceled due to rain.

It evokes memories of the autumn two years ago. At that time, in the top of the sixth inning of Game 1 of the Korea Series, with no outs and runners on first and second base, a suspended game was declared due to heavy rainfall. Two days later, when play resumed, KIA, who had come out fully prepared, secured a victory, tipping the series in their favor. Ultimately, KIA won the championship with a record of four wins and one loss.

And two years later, this time KIA advanced to the Playoffs as the underdog to face Samsung. The rainout cancellation also seems to be smiling at KIA in a peculiar way. Although KIA advanced after winning three consecutive games in the Wild Card Series, the three games played under pressure different from that of the regular season must have caused significantly more fatigue. A day of rest is undoubtedly even sweeter.

In particular, it is a good memory for Kim Tae-goon. In the Korea Series two years ago, Kim Tae-goon led the team to back-to-back wins with three hits and two RBIs in six at-bats across Games 1 and 2. However, in Game 3, played after moving to Daegu, he was completely shut down by Danny Reyes' strong pitching of seven innings and one unearned run, finishing with no hits in three at-bats and three strikeouts, hanging his head in disappointment. The team also lost 2-4.

However, Game 4, held the next day, was different. KIA brought home a victory by forcing an early replacement of Samsung ace Won Tae-in from the start of the game. It was a match that effectively shifted the direction of the series entirely to KIA, and Kim Tae-goon was at the center of it.

Leading 1-0, KIA extended their lead with a two-run RBI hit by Socrates following consecutive baseruns in the top of the third inning. Then, entering the batter's box with the bases loaded and two outs, Kim Tae-goon pulled a slider from relief pitcher Song Eun-bum over the left field fence for a grand slam. It was a powerful blow that gave the team the momentum while leading 7-1. Ultimately, KIA won 9-2.

Therefore, the rainout cancellation on this day could not but feel even more welcome to Kim Tae-goon. After the rainout cancellation of Game 1 of the Playoffs was confirmed on the 25th, Kim Tae-goon met with reporters and recalled two years ago, saying, "I remember that time clearly. October 26 is the day I hit a bases-loaded home run here." He added, "On the 25th, I struck out three times. Since today (the game) has passed for now due to the rainout, I am secretly looking forward to it a little."

This season, he also had good statistics against Chris Fiddick. In five at-bats, he recorded two hits in three at-bats and six RBIs, with both hits being home runs and doubles. Samsung announced that Fiddick would pitch as scheduled in the game postponed to the 26th, and Kim Tae-goon said, "I am trying to do only what I can. People around me have been calling me a 'Fiddick Killer' a lot, but my at-bat count is too small. It seems they say that because my performance has just been good."

He became the championship catcher due to events from two years ago. For Kim Tae-goon, Samsung must be a source of good memories. However, Daegu becoming his lucky venue was an even earlier story. When playing for Samsung in 2022, Kim Tae-goon swung fiercely with a batting average of .326 in Daegu. After switching to the KIA uniform, he also performed better than his season statistics in Daegu, and last year, he swung fiercely with a batting average of .409 in Daegu. This season as well, he recorded a batting average of .318.

Kim Tae-goon emphasized, "I think I have had my own impact at Lions Park since I came to Samsung in 2022, and even after that (the 2024 Korea Series). It seems that image has been changing little by little since then."

When asked if he thought they could receive help from the sky this year, Kim Tae-goon smiled and said, "I have received that question a lot. We haven't started playing yet this time, right? So I think it is even. Two years ago, I was grateful."

In terms of increased rest time for pitchers, the day off will undoubtedly be a definite advantage for KIA, who advanced through the Wild Card Series. Kim Tae-goon conveyed, "It is not something we can do just because we want to, but if we get even one more day of rest, it might be more helpful for our bullpen pitchers. Looking at it from the pitching side, it is a very positive signal."

Game 1 of the Playoffs between the two teams will proceed at Daegu Samsung Lions Park starting at 6:30 p.m. on the 26th, one day later.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original