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KIA’s Kim Do-yeong aims to erase ‘glass body’ label by playing every game

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • KIA Tigers player Kim Do-yeong missed the youngest 40-home-run record but has played in all 120 of the team’s games through June 6.
  • After suffering three hamstring injuries last year, Kim said he wants to disprove the “glass body” label by showing he can stay on the field.
  • Kim previously hit 38 home runs and stole 40 bases in 2024, becoming the youngest player to join the 30-home-run, 30-steal club and the youngest position player to win the regular-season MVP award.

Kim Do-yeong missed out on the professional baseball record for the youngest player to hit 40 home runs. But the KIA Tigers star has a different target in mind: playing as many games as possible.

Kim had appeared in all 120 games played by KIA through June 6. Speaking at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field, he said full participation had been his main goal for the season.

“Last year, as my injuries kept recurring, I naturally thought I could be branded as having a glass body,” Kim said. “I thought I had to show it myself to get rid of that criticism. That is why I have continued playing this season despite minor injuries.”

Last year, as my injuries kept recurring, I naturally thought I could be branded as having a glass body.

· Kim Do-yeongKim explained why he wants to play every game and overcome criticism about his durability.

Kim hit 38 home runs in 2024, his third professional season, surpassing the 32 hit by Lee Seung-yuop in his third year. He also stole 40 bases, becoming the youngest player to reach the 30-home-run, 30-steal club. At 21, he won the regular-season MVP award as the youngest position player to do so.

Last year, however, Kim suffered three hamstring injuries. His uninterrupted run this season has made durability, rather than a single power-hitting record, the goal he most wants to prove.

I thought I had to show it myself to get rid of that criticism. That is why I have continued playing this season despite minor injuries.

· Kim Do-yeongKim described his decision to keep playing despite minor injuries.
About this summary

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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