Seoul: Playing in his 20th season in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), LG Twins outfielder Kim Hyun-soo has set multiple postseason records and is nearing even more. Kim, 37, expressed his gratitude for having played alongside supportive teammates throughout his career, which has allowed him to participate in enough postseason games to achieve these records.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim leads the all-time KBO postseason RBI list with 57 and is just five hits away from becoming the leader in hits as well, with 97 to his name. Kim recently participated in his 102nd postseason game during the Twins' 8-2 victory over the Hanwha Eagles in Game 1 of the Korean Series. Although he won't be able to surpass the record of 109 postseason games held by former catcher Hong Sung-heon this year, Kim is on track to surpass former shortstop Park Jin-man, who played in 104 postseason games.
Kim reflected on the influence of veteran players early in his career, crediting them with guiding teams to multiple playoff appearances. He humbly described himself as a "lucky passenger on a bus driven by talented young players," as he spoke to reporters before Game 2 of the Korean Series at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul.
Throughout his career, Kim has contributed significantly to his teams' successes, including two Korean Series championships. Notably, he batted .421 in the 2015 series for the Doosan Bears and drove in seven runs for the Twins in the 2023 series. In Sunday's game, Kim initiated the scoring with a groundout in the first inning and later added an RBI single.
Kim has adapted his approach over the years, focusing on making contact and driving in runs in crucial situations. He explained his thought process during the first-inning at-bat, noting the importance of making contact to score runs given the defensive positioning of the infielders.
This evolution has transformed Kim into a seasoned postseason performer, who prioritizes team success over individual achievements. He emphasized the importance of making pitchers work harder and contributing in various ways, even when he doesn't get a hit. Kim acknowledged the strength of his team, expressing confidence in his teammates to perform when he falls short.