What did Kim Do-yeong say about focusing on home runs and batting average during the KBO postseason?

Kim said he does not care about his home-run total or batting average in a postseason series. He wants to stay focused on every pitch and said home runs will come naturally if he maintains that focus.

Why did Kim Do-yeong think the Kia Tigers were in good game shape against the Samsung Lions?

Kim said the Tigers had been playing continuously and that he believes a team that has already played a postseason round has an advantage. He acknowledged that some veterans disagree, but said the team felt sharp and capable of winning the series.

How did Kim Do-yeong manage his rest and practice during the Kia Tigers’ four-day break?

Kim said he took one day off, then returned to the field, including for optional practices, because too much rest has not helped him during his career. He said the routine worked well in the previous series and planned to see how it played out against the Lions.

Tigers slugger trying not to get caught up in numbers amid postseason surge

Listen

Summary

Kia Tigers slugger Kim Do-yeong hit three home runs, including a grand slam, as the Tigers swept the defending champion LG Twins in the first round of the KBO postseason last week. The Tigers advanced to face the Samsung Lions in the second round, whose opening game was rained out Sunday in Daegu. Kim said he focuses on each pitch rather than postseason statistics, and believes the Tigers’ recent game action has them in strong shape.

Key Facts

Kim’s three home runs were his only hits in the Tigers’ three-game sweep of the Twins.
Kim led the KBO with 45 home runs in the regular season and hit four home runs at Daegu Samsung Lions Park this year.
The Lions finished second in the regular season and received a bye to the second round, while the Tigers entered as the No. 3 seed.
The Tigers won nine of their 16 regular-season meetings with the Lions.
Kim said he took one day off during the Tigers’ four-day break and returned to the field for optional practices.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 25, 2026 2:37 pm KST

Kim Do-yeong of the Kia Tigers celebrates after hitting a grand slam against the LG Twins during Game 3 of the first round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Kia Tigers slugger Kim Do-yeong claimed Sunday he never consciously tries to hit home runs, though it may not seem that way given the way he has swung the bat this fall.

Kim slugged three home runs, including a massive grand slam, to help the Tigers sweep the defending champions LG Twins in the first round of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason last week. Those three home runs were Kim's only three hits of the three-game victory for the Tigers.

Kim led the KBO with 45 home runs in the regular season and has picked up right where he left off in the postseason. The Tigers will continue their run in the second round against the Samsung Lions.

Moments after the first game of that series was rained out in the southeastern city of Daegu, Kim said individual numbers can be dismissed in the postseason, where team wins matter far more.

"I don't really care about my home runs or batting average in a postseason series," Kim said at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. "I just want to make sure I stay locked in with every pitch, and I think all the other players are the same way. If you maintain your focus, then home runs will come naturally."

Daegu Samsung Lions Park is notorious for yielding home runs, given its small dimensions. Kim himself launched four dingers at this ballpark this year.

"We tend to see a lot of balls leave the yard here, and both teams will have to stay on their toes until the final out," Kim added.

The Lions, by virtue of finishing in second place in the regular season, earned a bye to this round. The Tigers, though, had to play the extra round as No. 3 seed.

Still, many pundits see the Tigers as the favorite, given that they won the season series with nine wins in 16 meetings and they still had enough rest after the Twins series to nullify any advantage the Lions may have following their own break after the regular season.

Kim agreed with that assessment.

"The vibe is great around our team. I have always thought the team that has played one round of the postseason has advantages," Kim said. "We have been playing games all along, and we feel like we are in great game shape. Some veterans disagree with me, but I think that as long as we stay sharp, this is a battle we can win."

During the Tigers' four days off after the previous series, Kim said he took minimal rest, lest he lose his feel at the plate.

"Over the course of my career, I have learned that too much rest does me no good," he said. "I took one day off and went right back to the field, even for optional practices. My routine worked great in the last series, and so let's see how things will play out this time."

Explore More