One of the most frequently asked questions by KIA Tigers players this season was about comparing team power between 2017 and this year. The players' answers were almost the same: KIA in 2017 was stronger.
KIA ranked first in the regular season with 87 wins, 1 draw and 56 losses (0.608) in 2017, beating the pursuit of the second-place Doosan Bears (84 wins, 3 draws and 57 losses, 0.596 losses). Hector Noesi and Yang Hyeon-jong, the strongest one-two punch in the league at the time, reached 20 wins each, and five batters, including Na Ji-wan, Roger Bernadina and Choi Hyung-woo, achieved 20 home runs in the lineup. KIA (0.302) was the only team that recorded a team batting average of more than 300 in the same year.
The trend continued through the Korean Series. KIA had four wins and one loss against Doosan to achieve the V11. After losing in the first round, the team fought back by winning in the second round and ended the series by winning in all of the third and fifth games.
Most of the players who played seven years ago, including Yang Hyun-jong, evaluated that the team's performance in 2017 was better than this year. Yang Hyun-jong said, "I think KIA in 2017 was still a little stronger. Me and Hector performed so well, and the starters held on well," and added, "Young players are doing really well now, and veteran brothers almost led the team in 2017, so there seems to be a difference in that area."
However, the players believe that there are differences from seven years ago and also better things than then. "I think our batting lineup is so good. There are players who can get on base under any circumstances and can hit a single shot," Choi said. "I'll have to go to the Korean Series to find out, but even if I lose by five points, I feel like something will come true."
KIA manager Lee Bum-ho, who experienced the championship as a player in 2017, said, "I think 2017 was better for hitting, but when looking at the combination of players, there are many fast players (this year), and many players get on base and win the game. I think the way to score more points is better," and added, "I think the bullpen is better this year than then."
Kia has displayed strength despite a flurry of injuries this season and secured a direct ticket to the Korean Series with 87 wins, two draws and 55 losses (0.613). With young players clearly showing signs of growth, its pitching and batting capabilities have strengthened, and veteran players have faithfully performed their roles. In addition, Lee Bum-ho's leadership, who removed the label of a "novice coach," has also been a driving force in the team. 스포츠토토
As Kia had ample time to reorganize itself after the end of the regular season, fans' expectations for the V12 have been raised to the fullest. However, it also has tasks to tackle, including defense. Particularly in short-term games, small differences can change the course of the game. Kia, which watched the postseason games of other teams while preparing for the Korean Series, cannot be unaware of this. It remains to be seen whether Kia will be able to prove its reason for ranking first in the regular season as it did seven years ago.