Kia Tigers captain Na Sung-bum praises Kim Do-yeong after postseason grand slam
Na hit two home runs in Kia’s 13-1 win over the LG Twins, but said he was grateful to play alongside Kim, whose grand slam tied a postseason distance record.
Kia Tigers captain Na Sung-bum praised teammate Kim Do-yeong after Kim hit a record-tying postseason grand slam in Kia’s 13-1 win over the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 20. Na hit two home runs himself, but said he was grateful to play alongside Kim, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Na told Yonhap that Kim seemed to improve every year and that he had much to learn from him, despite being the older player. Na, 37, said he hoped Kim would stay with the Tigers for a long time. Kim is listed as a Kia player in the Korea Baseball Organization’s player profile.
Kim Do-yeong’s grand slam in Game 3
Na opened the scoring with a solo home run to lead off the second inning. Minutes later, Kim hit a grand slam measured at 145 meters, tying the record for the longest postseason home run in KBO history, Yonhap reported. At 23 years and 18 days old, Kim also became the youngest player to hit a KBO postseason grand slam, according to the agency.
Na added another solo home run after Kia had built an 8-0 lead. Kim was voted the series’ most valuable player following the Game 3 victory, which completed Kia’s sweep of the best-of-five postseason series against LG, Yonhap reported. The contrast between the two performances prompted Na’s remarks: even on a night when he homered twice, he said watching Kim develop had been ‘incredible.’
Na Sung-bum credits Kia’s wider lineup
Na said Kia’s success was not solely Kim’s work. He singled out outfielder Park Jung-woo and backup catcher Han Jun-su as players who had produced when given opportunities. Against LG, Park had two hits and two runs batted in from the leadoff spot, while Han hit a solo home run and finished with two RBIs, according to Yonhap.
‘I am getting the feeling that we can win games no matter who gets into the lineup,’ Na said. He also described moments when he thought Kim might struggle, only to see him recover and keep improving. Kim won the KBO regular-season MVP award in 2024, Yonhap reported, providing context for why the captain expects more from his younger teammate.
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Sources and context
- Veteran Tigers slugger appreciates chance to play with superstar teammateYonhap News Agency
- KBO player profile: Kim Do YeongKorea Baseball Organization
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.
