KIA Tigers infielder Kim Do-young is set to solidify his team's MVP position as well as confirming his team's regular season win. If he achieves 40 homers and 40 steals in his first season in Korea, his name will be effectively all engraved on the league MVP trophy. KIA manager Lee Bum-ho also promised his full support to achieve the milestone. 스포츠토토

This season, Kim is in the midst of a monster season, which aims to garner 40 homers and 40 steals. Kim has been named the official monthly MVP of the KBO league along with achieving the first monthly 10 homers and 10 steals in the KBO league since April, heralding her career high season. 

Kim, who slowed down a bit due to enteritis in May, elevated his batting pace again in June to reach the milestone of 20 homers and 20 steals before the end of the first half. It was the fifth time in the KBO League that he had 20 homers and 20 steals in the first half. 

Kim's performance continued in the second half of the season. Kim achieved his 31st cycling hit in the KBO League in late July, and the first natural cycling hit with the least number of hits in the history of the KBO League. In addition, he was the youngest player (20 years, nine months and 25 days) to score 100 points and the smallest number of games (97 games) in the history of the KBO League.

The record of 30 homers and 30 steals for this season was also made in August. Kim became the ninth and youngest player (20 years, 10 months and 13 days) in the KBO League and the lowest number of games (111 games). It was the first time in 24 years that he had 30 homers and 30 steals for this season since Park Jae-hong in 2000. 

Kim Do-young added a home run in September, increasing the possibility of trying 40 home runs and 40 steals for the first time in the KBO League. Kim Do-young hit his 36th and 37th home runs of the season at the same time with multiple home runs against Suwon KT Wiz on the 16th. With this home run, Kim Do-young broke the Tigers' record for the most home runs in a season (36 home runs in Kim Sang-hyun's season in 2009). 

Kim Do-young has played in 134 games this season and has shown incredible performance with a batting average of 0.344, 178 hits, 37 homers, 105 RBIs, 134 runs, 39 steals, a on-base percentage of 0.417, and a slugging percentage of 0.646. Now, if he adds three homers and one stolen base in the remaining seven games, Kim Do-young can reach the 40-40 steal mark in his first season in Korea. 

KIA manager Lee Bum-ho also plans to support Kim Do-young's challenge of 40 home runs and 40 steals this season. "I thought that if Kim Do-young is to achieve the record of 40 home runs and 40 steals, he will be able to hit home runs in Suwon and Munhak, and return to Gwangju to succeed," Lee told reporters on the 16th. He hit two home runs in Suwon yesterday, and he is also expecting home runs in Munhak game today. If he wins the regular season title, he is also planning to give him as many opportunities to bat as possible by pulling the batting order for a record. Shouldn't Korea's record be recorded as well?" 

Kia has confirmed its regular season championship title as requested by coach Lee. From the game against the Doosan Bears in Jamsil on Wednesday, players can now concentrate on setting records regardless of team performance. Kim is also expected to focus solely on his at-bat and aim for home runs. There is a chance that Kim will be seen in the remaining seven games as the designated hitter at the leadoff spot. He is in the same position as Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who is currently seeking 50 homers and 50 steals during an unprecedented season in the U.S. Major League Baseball. 

Kim will play an away game in Jamsil on Wednesday and return to Gwangju to play four consecutive home games. There is a chance that he will celebrate the milestone of 40 home runs and 40 steals in his first season in Korea with his home fans in Gwangju. Kim also aims to achieve a milestone and solidify his league MVP status by playing until the end of this season. 

After confirming his regular season title, Kim said, "Of course, I have to follow the coach's wishes, but personally, I want to play until the last game of the season. Recently, the coach also told me that I can confidently hit the ball even in the three-ball count. I think I will be able to play the rest of the at-bat in a more relaxed mood. Nothing has changed since I won the championship. Of course, it is true that I want to win the MVP award in the league since it is not a chance that comes often." 

I wonder if Kim Do-young will be able to succeed in the regular season finale by focusing only on the at-bat and achieving 40 home runs and 40 steals of the season.