The 2025 KBO League season has been a rollercoaster for the LG Twins, with dramatic highs, a few stumbles, and the relentless pursuit of glory. As of August 26, 2025, the Twins are firmly entrenched at the top of the KBO standings, boasting a remarkable record and eyeing a possible early clinch of the regular season title. But it’s not just the team’s collective performance that’s turning heads—veteran pitcher Kim Jin-seong’s historic run is capturing the imagination of fans and analysts alike.
Let’s start with the man of the hour. Kim Jin-seong, at the age of 40, has become the oldest pitcher in KBO history to hold such a crucial role for a title-contending team. Born on March 7, 1985, Kim’s career has been anything but straightforward. He debuted back in 2005 with the SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers) and later made his mark with the NC Dinos. After being released by NC in 2021, Kim famously reached out to every team’s general manager and operations chief, asking for just one more shot at a pro career. It was LG Twins’ GM Cha Myung-seok who finally gave him that chance, reportedly telling him, “You’re Kim Jin-seong—why would you need a tryout?”
Since joining LG in 2022, Kim has enjoyed a stunning late-career resurgence. His 2022 campaign saw him post a 3.10 ERA with a 6-3 record and 12 holds, proving he still had plenty left in the tank. The following year, he improved further, notching a 2.18 ERA, 5 wins, 4 saves, and 21 holds, helping LG secure their first unified championship in 29 years. This season, Kim is rewriting the record books again. On August 24, 2025, he pitched a gutsy two-thirds of an inning against the KIA Tigers, allowing two hits but no runs, and picked up his 28th hold of the season—a new personal best, surpassing last year’s total of 27. If he maintains this lead, he’ll claim his first individual title as the league’s hold leader, potentially becoming the oldest player ever to do so.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) doesn’t officially recognize a “best pitching award” for individual pitchers, but the league certainly takes note of extraordinary performances. Kim’s durability is nothing short of remarkable: from 2022 through August 25, 2025, he has appeared in more games (284) than any other pitcher in the league. Only rookie Jung Hyun-soo, born in 2001, has more appearances this season, with Kim second in that category. Kim himself joked, “I guess the team needs me a lot,” and it’s hard to argue with that assessment.
But the journey hasn’t been pain-free. Kim admitted that pitching a single inning in mid-June left him with some discomfort, but he managed to bounce back, pitching two innings soon after without pain. “I need to overcome the pain and want to keep pitching,” he said, his determination shining through. Despite a muscle injury that sidelined him on August 28, Kim is already eyeing a return, hoping to break his own record for consecutive best games pitched.
Kim’s story is a microcosm of the LG Twins’ season—resilience, reinvention, and relentless pursuit of victory. The team’s overall performance has been nothing short of stellar, especially in the second half of the season. Under manager Yeom Kyung-yeop, the Twins have surged to a 25-1-5 record since the All-Star break, a .833 winning percentage that dwarfs recent historical benchmarks. In fact, only the 2017 Doosan Bears (with a .700 second-half winning percentage) and the 2019 Bears (.674) have come close in the last decade.
LG’s dominance is built not just on pitching but on a well-rounded roster. The team’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, posting a robust .296 team batting average and a team ERA of 3.03 during their hot streak. They’ve rattled off multiple winning streaks, including two separate six-game runs and a seven-game streak capped by a dramatic 4-3 comeback over the Doosan Bears on August 5. That win propelled LG back into sole possession of first place, a position they’ve refused to relinquish since.
The Twins’ closest challengers, the Hanwha Eagles, have struggled to keep pace. Once leading by 5.5 games, Hanwha has stumbled in the second half, managing only a .500 record (15-1-15) and falling 5.5 games behind LG. Hanwha star Noh Si-hwan summed up the mood, saying, “Honestly, I’m a little tired. LG is just playing too well.” Even as Hanwha tries to regroup, LG’s momentum seems unstoppable. Team captain Chae Eun-sung noted, “Now isn’t the time to give up on reclaiming first place. The regular season title isn’t decided in a flash—there will be more streaks, both winning and losing, before it’s over.”
Despite the runaway success, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for LG. The bullpen has shown signs of vulnerability, as evidenced by a tough 1-2 loss to SSG Landers on August 24, where the relief corps faltered. Still, the team’s overall depth has helped them weather these setbacks. Pitcher Jung Woo-sung has been a revelation, delivering a 0.833 winning percentage and emerging as a “strong soldier” for the squad, according to local media. The Twins have also managed to win six games in August, further cementing their status as title favorites.
Looking ahead, LG faces a crucial stretch against the NC Dinos and the Kiwoom Heroes. Both teams are capable of playing spoiler—NC is locked in a fierce battle for mid-table positioning, while Kiwoom has a knack for upsets. But with a season series advantage against both (6-5 over NC, 8-4 over Kiwoom), LG enters the final month with confidence and control of their own destiny.
Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop is keeping his squad focused on the prize. “We need to secure the championship before we meet Hanwha again next month,” he told reporters, signaling his intent to wrap up the regular season title early and punch an express ticket to the Korean Series. The players’ spirits are sky-high, and with Kim Jin-seong’s fairytale season providing inspiration, the LG Twins are poised to make history.
As September approaches, the only question left is whether anyone can slow down this LG juggernaut—or if Kim Jin-seong and his teammates will ride this wave all the way to another championship celebration.
