Los angeles: Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Kim Hye-seong has become just the second South Korean player to win a World Series title. The Dodgers clinched the championship by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in Game 7 of the World Series at Rogers Centre in Toronto, marking their second consecutive title. Kim entered the game as a replacement for Miguel Rojas at second base in the bottom of the 11th inning, following a crucial solo home run by Will Smith that gave the Dodgers a 5-4 lead in the top half of the inning.

According to Yonhap News Agency, this was Kim’s first appearance in the World Series, making him the fifth South Korean player to participate in the event after pitchers Park Chan-ho, Kim Byung-hyun, Ryu Hyun-jin, and infielder Choi Ji-man. Prior to Kim Hye-seong, only Kim Byung-hyun had won a championship ring among South Korean players.

Kim Hye-seong joined the Dodgers in January after an eight-season tenure with the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). During the regular season, Kim played in 71 games, covering positions at second base, shortstop, and center field. Offensively, Kim achieved a batting average of .280, an on-base percentage of .314, and a slugging percentage of .385, alongside three home runs, 17 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases.

In addition to his World Series appearance, Kim also played a pivotal role in the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Philadelphia Phillies. He scored the winning run as a pinch runner in an 11-inning victory on October 9, demonstrating his versatility and impact in critical moments of the postseason.