'Fedex hates Kim Do-young' Walk and hit after two outs, all scored... Even if he strikes out, a new PO record... The butterfly effect created by the "MVP's determination" [PO1]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The home run champion's focus saved the KIA Tigers. Kim Do-young (23) delivered a performance that drew admiration in all aspects of hitting, pitching, and baserunning in the Playoffs (PO), frustrating Samsung Lions pitcher Chris Fedex.

In Game 1 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason PO (best-of-five series) against the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 26th, Kim Do-young recorded two hits and one walk in three at-bats, leading his team to a 5-1 victory.

Kim Do-young, who finished the regular season as the top candidate for Most Valuable Player (MVP) after winning the batting double crown (home runs and slugging percentage), swung a fierce bat with a .333 batting average (three hits in nine at-bats), three home runs, eight RBIs, and four runs scored in the semi-PO against the LG Twins, leading KIA to a three-game sweep and earning the series MVP.

In the semi-PO, Kim Do-young was a home run itself. If he had made LG cry with his cannon that they could not stop even knowing it was coming, on this day Kim Do-young was a completely different type of hitter. Entering the batter's box after the No. 1 and No. 2 hitters struck out consecutively to start the first inning, Kim Do-young calmly drew a walk even in an unfavorable count. Even with two strikes, Chris Fedex could not take a hasty risk, and Kim Do-young was not shaken by pitches outside the strike zone.

Kim Do-young, who showed determination by drawing a walk after a seven-pitch at-bat, stole second base from the first pitch of Harold Castro's at-bat. Then, on a short hit down the line between first and second base, Kim Do-young rounded third base and dove home. Samsung right fielder Kim Seong-yoon quickly chose to throw home, but perhaps in a rush, the ball sailed over the catcher's head, allowing Castro to advance from second to third base in the meantime. Castro also comfortably reached home on Na Sung-bum's double.

Fedex, who retired the side in three outs in the second inning, again made two outs in the third by dealing with Park Jeong-woo and Park Jae-hyun in just three pitches each, but was troubled again by Kim Do-young. This time as well, from an unfavorable count, Kim Do-young powerfully hit a 152 km/h fastball that dug into his body, driving a left-field single. The single allowed with two outs became a nightmare for Fedex once again. He gave up a two-run homer after a nine-pitch at-bat against Castro, and the game was effectively decided there.

Samsung, which could not easily replace its pitcher in Game 1, continued to rely on Fedex in the fifth inning as well. After easily getting Park Jae-hyun out with a fly ball to left field, Fedex bowed his head again to Kim Do-young. Starting with two strikes this time as well, Kim Do-young drew balls and kept swinging at pitches heading toward the zone. Kim Do-young recorded seven fouls before retiring on a fly ball to right field after 13 pitches, but it was effectively a winning battle.

Fedex, whose pitch count surged while facing Kim Do-young, ultimately could not finish the fifth inning and was pulled immediately. After finishing his at-bat against Kim Do-young, which started with 81 pitches, Fedex's total pitch count reached 94. It was a scene that could be counted among the best in PO history. It tied the record for the most pitches thrown to a single batter in PO history. It was the third time in history.

Although it did not lead to a run, he even hit a large double that struck the center field fence directly in the eighth inning, maintaining his power-hitting sense.

Kim Do-young's determination could also be seen on defense. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Kim Do-young chased down a foul ball hit by Kim Young-woong after a tenacious 10-pitch at-bat all the way to the front part of the Samsung dugout, snatching up a difficult ball and drawing a sigh from the Samsung bench.

After the game, when meeting with reporters, Kim Do-young said about his 13-pitch battle with Fedex, "(It was) not intentional at all, but since the hitters' condition is good, I think each individual tried to hit aggressively." He added, "But the results just followed that way. We approached it aggressively and similarly in the early innings, so I think the pitch count got longer because the results came out well."

Fedex's pitches themselves were not bad, but especially the core lineup, including Kim Do-young, attacked them without difficulty. Kim Do-young said, "As we entered fall baseball, I approach the batter's box more cautiously with focus, so I don't seem to be fooled by (breaking balls)." He added, "During the season, I only brought that kind of focus during chances, but now I bring focus in every at-bat, so I think I can hold back well and the results come out well."

Due to Neely's unexpected ejection for a headshot, the bullpen was activated early, but with a performance exceeding expectations from the bullpen, they held Samsung to just two hits. Kim Do-young conveyed, "Neely came down in the middle due to something we didn't expect, but since there was a certain score difference, I think the pitchers threw a bit more comfortably and the results were good. It seems to be a result of how well the players are performing."

He hit a large ball that struck the fence directly in the bottom of the eighth inning, but had to be satisfied with a double because he ran slowly. Kim Do-young said, "It is true that I knew I should go, so I didn't run," adding, "The manager also told me to play baserunning a bit carefully as the score difference widened. I tried not to make an unreasonable play to go for three bases."

Kim Do-young, who ran aggressively after getting on base from the first inning, slid into third base head-first after a tag-up on Na Sung-bum's fly ball to right field even after his double in the bottom of the eighth inning. Kim Do-young revealed, "It is actually meaningless, but I did it because I wanted to show some passion and a desire to win."

We could see the Kim Do-young who was stealing 40 bases for the first time in a long while. Kim Do-young conveyed, "I entered the game with a plan, not thinking about big things but preparing to proceed step by step from small things, so I tried to keep running whenever there was an opportunity after getting to first base."

In Game 2, Samsung will start Ariel Hurraco. Kim Do-young has recorded a .333 batting average (six hits in 18 at-bats), one home run, and three triples against Hurraco over the last three seasons. He was a pitcher who was strong to the point that four of his six hits were extra-base hits. What kind of baseball will Kim Do-young, who troubled the opposing pitcher with eye baseball, hits, and baserunning in Game 1, play in Game 2 to support the team and excite the fans?

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original