LA Dodgers Kim Hye-seong (27) received a 2025 World Series championship ring.
The Dodgers on the 28th (Korean time) revealed the moment Kim Hye-seong received his World Series championship ring through the club's official social media.
Kim Hye-seong is an infielder who has a KBO League career total of 953 games, a .304 batting average (3,433 at-bats, 1,043 hits), 37 home runs, 386 RBIs, 591 runs, 211 steals and an OPS of .767. After the 2024 season he challenged moving to the major leagues through posting and signed a 3+2 year contract with the Dodgers worth up to $22 million (about 32.5 billion won).
The Dodgers were not the only team to offer a contract to Kim Hye-seong during the posting. Known teams that pursued Kim Hye-seong included the Angels, Seattle and the Cubs among many major league teams. Some teams offered better contract terms than the Dodgers or easier competition for a starting job, but Kim Hye-seong decided to challenge himself with the Dodgers for a bigger dream.
When news broke that Kim Hye-seong had signed with the Dodgers, there were many concerned reactions. The prevailing view was that it would be difficult for Kim Hye-seong to secure playing time on a Dodgers team crowded with superstars.
In reality, Kim Hye-seong showed poor form in spring training and began the season at the minor league Triple-A level. But he earned a big-league call-up after Tommy Edman's injury and immediately showed an impressive performance, settling into the major leagues. He finished his debut season in 71 games with a .280 batting average (161 at-bats, 45 hits), 3 home runs, 17 RBIs, 19 runs, 13 steals and an OPS of .699. In the postseason he appeared twice as a substitute, but he shared the World Series Game 7 championship moment and confidently earned his place as a champion member.
After finishing WBC (World Baseball Classic) play in March and returning to the team, Kim Hye-seong began the season at Triple-A in the minors after being passed over by infield prospect Alex Freeland. Because of this, Kim Hye-seong was the only one among last year's Dodgers championship members remaining with the team who did not receive a championship ring.
When the Dodgers' starting shortstop Mookie Betts was injured, they called up Kim Hye-seong to the major leagues on the 6th. Since his call-up, Kim Hye-seong has immediately impressed, hitting .319 in 19 games (47 at-bats, 15 hits) with 1 home run, 7 RBIs, 7 runs, 5 steals and an OPS of .815.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, in the clubhouse before the game that day, presented the championship ring to Kim Hye-seong and introduced him, saying, "I am happy to be able to call this special player here today. Two years ago this player bet on himself. He had the opportunity to sign with any major league team, but he said, "I want to play for the best team, the LA Dodgers." Turning down more money and opportunities to choose this team to play for the Dodgers is a truly difficult decision. He makes everyone on our team better and excites us."
Roberts, who said, "Right now teammates, coaching staff and the front office all congratulate him," added, "I would like to present the 2025 World Series championship ring," and handed the World Series ring to Kim Hye-seong.
Receiving the ring, Kim Hye-seong exclaimed, "Wow." Unable to hide his smile, Kim Hye-seong shared his joy by shaking hands and hugging Dodgers teammates. Freddie Freeman said, "Enjoy the ring," in congratulation. Other teammates such as Edman and Yamamoto Yoshinobu also did not forget to congratulate him.
Kim Hye-seong said, "The best decision I ever made in my life was choosing the Dodgers," and expressed his gratitude to everyone. As Roberts said, the choice Kim Hye-seong made two years ago to challenge himself for a bigger goal returned the best result that exceeded everyone's expectations.
[OSEN]