By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Kia Tigers' slugging third baseman Kim Sang-hyun was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and Doosan Bears closer Lee Yong-chan took the best rookie award Tuesday.
The 28-year-old received 79 votes out of 90 in the poll to beat out distant runner-up Kim Hyun-soo of the Bears, who got seven votes.
LG Twins outfielder Park Yong-taik and SK Wyverns lefty Kim Kwang-hyun garnered three and one, respectively.
The nine-year pro produced 36 home runs and 127 RBIs to top the league in both categories. He also had a league-best .632 slugging percentage.
"I really thank my family and the Tigers for helping me take this award,'' said Kim, who spent his most of career in the second-tier league.
"What I really want to say to players in the lower league is to keep up the good work, and they, too, will have a heyday.''
The third baseman started his pro career with the Tigers in 2001, but was traded to the Twins the next year. He played there until re-joined the Gwangju-based team in a trade in April.
Kim hit .403 with runners in scoring position and hit 15 homers in August to help the Tigers finish first in the regular season for the first time since 1997.
Kim becomes the fourth Tiger to claim the honor following Kim Sung-han (1985 and 1988), Sun Dong-yeol (1986, 1989 and 1990) and Lee Jong-beom (1994).
His MVP selection has ended pitchers' dominance in the votes.
From 2004 to 2008, the league's winningest pitchers ― Bae Young-soo, Son Min-han, Ryu Hyun-jin, Daniel Rios and Kim Kwang-hyun ― were selected MVPs.
Lee, who notched a league-leading 26 saves with a 4.20 ERA, got 42 votes to Kia Tigers infielder Ahn Chi-hong's 26 in the first poll for the rookie of the year award.
However, the lack of a majority forced a final round of voting and Lee came out on top, becoming the fifth Bear to win the trophy and beating Ahn, who contributed to the Tigers winning their 10th Korean Series title.