The Single Swing That Decided Everything... "The Whole Sky Helped Me"

[Anchor]

Yesterday, on the final day of the professional baseball regular season, KIA infielder Kim Doyoung proved once again why he is the greatest superstar of this era. With a single home run that determined everything—securing his team a direct ticket to the semi-playoffs, capturing his first home run title, reaching 100 career home runs, and locking down the slugging percentage title—he has practically all but guaranteed his second MVP award in two years.

Reporter Yu Byeongmin has the story.

[Reporter]

Ahead of the final game against LG, Kim Doyoung felt more desperate than ever before in his life.

[Kim Doyoung / KIA Infielder: Late last night, I went out for a walk alone at dawn. I happened to see a Statue of Peace on the street and found myself making a wish in front of it—I think I did just about everything I could.]

Even after delivering a powerful swing in the bottom of the 8th inning with the score tied 2-2, he shouted, "Please!"

[Kim Doyoung / KIA Infielder: I hit it a bit too far inside, so it didn't feel great, and since senior [Park] Hae-min is such an exceptional defender, I thought he might catch it.]

The soaring ball cleared the center field wall for his 45th game-winning two-run home run of the season. As it simultaneously secured KIA's direct advance to the semi-playoffs, Kim's first-ever home run title, and his 100th career home run, Champions Field erupted like a blast furnace.

[Kim Doyoung / KIA Infielder: I'm so happy, it really feels like a drama. I'm not even sure if this is a dream or reality, and it feels like the whole sky was on my side.]

Having also claimed the slugging percentage title and practically reserving his second MVP award in two years, Kim is now racing toward a Korean Series championship for the first time in two years.

[Kim Doyoung / KIA Infielder: We will play well and go win the championship. Fighting!!]

LG, which confirmed its 4th-place finish following the painful defeat, will send Carrasco to the mound tomorrow for the first game of the wild card round against the 5th-place Doosan Bears, who are deploying their top league ace Kwak Been as a starter. LG has also been dealt a blow with closer Son Ju-young sidelined due to muscle stiffness.

(Video Editing: Lee Jaesung, Design: Dayoung Byun)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.