Kia Tigers
Encyclopedia
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team founded in 1982. The Tigers are a member team of the Korean Baseball Organization
Korean Baseball Organization
Korea Professional Baseball is the highest level league of baseball in South Korea. The Korean romanization is Hanguk Peuro Yagu , a league title which mirrors Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. Korea Professional Baseball was originally founded with six teams in 1982 and currently has eight...
and the most successful team in Korean baseball having won the national championship, the Korean Series
Korean Series
The Korean Series is the championship series of the Korea Baseball Organization. It has been held since the KBO's first season in and is the final series of in the post-season play-offs. From , the winner of the Korean Series goes on to play in the Asia Series....
, ten times, with a perfect 10-0 series record and a 40-12-2 game record.
After the success of the 1980s and 90's, the fortunes of the team began to turn, resulting in them finishing bottom of the league for the first time in 2005, and again in 2007. In 2009, However, Kia Tigers won the 2009 KBO season
2009 Korea Baseball Organization season
The Korea Professional Baseball season is the 28th season in the history of the KBO. The KIA Tigers won the regular season and Korean series.-Season Format:*Regular Season: 133 games for each team...
and 2009 Korean Series
2009 Korean Series
The 2009 Korean Series was the 27th edition of Korea Baseball Organization's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff is played between the KIA Tigers and the SK Wyverns...
.
They were previously known as the Haitai Tigers (해태 타이거즈). Their home stadium is Mudeung Baseball Stadium in Gwangju
Gwangju
Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
.
1982 Season
Haitai Tigers was third professional baseball team to be created in Korea, next to OB Bears and MBC Blue Dragons, founded on January 30 of 1982 with 14 players. Kim Dong-Yup, the first manager of the team was fired after just one month, and Jo Chang-Soo took over his position and led the team to 38 wins 42 losses. Due to the lack of position players, many players in the league both pitched and batted. Kim Sung-Han of the Tigers set an interesting record of 10 wins and highest RBI the first year.1983 ~ 1985 : Kim Eung-Ryong's First Three Seasons
Haitai Tigers hired Kim Eung-Ryong as manager, who studied baseball in the USA, eventually led the team to its first victory in 1983. The Tigers won the Korean Series with 4 wins and 1 tie-game against the MBC Blue Dragons (currently LG TwinsLG Twins
LG Twins Baseball Club is a Korea Professional Baseball team based in Seoul, South Korea. The club was known as the MBC Blue Dragons owned by the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation until , when they were taken over by the LG Group...
). Although the team did not make it to the playoffs for the next two years, it set the foundation for the golden years to come by signing in future megastars Lee Soon-Chul, Sun Dong-Yeol
Sun Dong-Yeol
Sun Dong-Yeol is a retired pitcher in the Korea Professional Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, and is New manager of Kia Tigers in the Korea Professional Baseball...
and Kim Sung-Han. Bang Soo-Won pitched the first no-hit-no-run game in Korean baseball history in 1984 against the Sammi Superstars.
1986 ~ 1997 : Haitai Tigers Dynasty – Sun Dong-Yeol and Lee Jong-Beom
In 1986, the Tigers finished in 2nd place in the pennant race with a team ERA of 2.86 and BA of 2.72 to go straight to the Korean Series against the Samsung LionsSamsung Lions
Samsung Lions Baseball Club is a Korea Professional Baseball team founded in 1982. They are based in Daegu and are members of the Korean Baseball Organization. Their home stadium is Daegu Baseball Stadium...
. They went on to win their second Korean Series win with 4 wins and 1 loss.
Until 1989, the Haitai Tigers won once more against the Samsung Lions
Samsung Lions
Samsung Lions Baseball Club is a Korea Professional Baseball team founded in 1982. They are based in Daegu and are members of the Korean Baseball Organization. Their home stadium is Daegu Baseball Stadium...
and twice against the Bingrae Eagles (current Hanwha Eagles) to make an astonishing four consecutive Korean Series wins. King Jung-Soo, Kim Joon-Hwan, Moon Hye-Soo, Park Chul-Woo respectively were named MVPs of each series.
Haitai Tigers lost the playoffs to Samsung Lions
Samsung Lions
Samsung Lions Baseball Club is a Korea Professional Baseball team founded in 1982. They are based in Daegu and are members of the Korean Baseball Organization. Their home stadium is Daegu Baseball Stadium...
in 1990, but won the next Korean series the following year. In 1991, the Tigers set a record of 6 out of 10 golden glove winners.
1993 was the year of rookie shortstop Lee Jong-Beom, closer Sun Dong-Yeol
Sun Dong-Yeol
Sun Dong-Yeol is a retired pitcher in the Korea Professional Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, and is New manager of Kia Tigers in the Korea Professional Baseball...
and starters Lee Dae-Jin and Lee Gang-Chul. The Tigers won 81 out of 126 pennant race games and also their 7th Korean Series.
In 1994, Lee Jong-Beom batted an average of 0.393, the second highest in Korean baseball history, but the team lost the semi-playoffs to the Hanhwa Eagles
Hanhwa Eagles
The Hanwha Eagles , incorporated as the Hanwha Eagles Professional Baseball Club , are a South Korean professional baseball club based in Daejeon. As a member club of Korean Baseball Organization, the Eagles compete in the Korea Professional Baseball League. The Eagles' home ballpark is Daejeon...
. The Tigers ended up in 4th the next year due to Lee Jong-Beom and Lee Dae-Jin leaving the team for military service, which is mandatory for all male Koreans over 18.
Star closer Sun Dong-Yeol
Sun Dong-Yeol
Sun Dong-Yeol is a retired pitcher in the Korea Professional Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, and is New manager of Kia Tigers in the Korea Professional Baseball...
was also transferred to the Chunichi Dragons
Chunichi Dragons
The are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, the chief city in the Chubu region of Japan. The team is in the Central League. They won the 2007 Japan Series and 2007 Asia Series.-History:...
in 1996, but Lim Chang-Yong
Lim Chang-Yong
Lim Chang-Yong is a South Korean right-handed closer who plays for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Nippon Professional Baseball.He is widely known as the fastest sidearm pitcher in baseball history who can throw a 160 km/h four-seam fastball...
and Gang Tae-Won filled in his position to lead the team to its 8th Korean Series win over the Hyundai Unicorns.
The next year, Lee Jong-Beom and Lee Dae-Jin returned from military service and with their help the Tigers again won the Korean Series to bring the total to nine champion wins.
1998 ~ 2001 : The Decline of the Dynasty
Due to the Asian financial crisis in 1998, HaitaiHaitai
Haitai is a Korean business, with its main business in retail and instant foods, especially confectionery, beverage and ice cream....
was forced to sell the team to Kia
Kia Motors
Kia Motors , headquartered in Seoul, is South Korea's second-largest automobile manufacturer, following the Hyundai Motor Company, with sales of over 1.4 million vehicles in 2010...
in 2001. Until then the Tigers which was also in financial difficulty, could not keep its major players to stay. Eventually they lost Lee Jong-Beom to the Chunichi Dragons
Chunichi Dragons
The are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, the chief city in the Chubu region of Japan. The team is in the Central League. They won the 2007 Japan Series and 2007 Asia Series.-History:...
, and closer Lim Chang-Yong
Lim Chang-Yong
Lim Chang-Yong is a South Korean right-handed closer who plays for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Nippon Professional Baseball.He is widely known as the fastest sidearm pitcher in baseball history who can throw a 160 km/h four-seam fastball...
and manager Kim Eung-Ryong to the Samsung Lions
Samsung Lions
Samsung Lions Baseball Club is a Korea Professional Baseball team founded in 1982. They are based in Daegu and are members of the Korean Baseball Organization. Their home stadium is Daegu Baseball Stadium...
.
2001 ~ 2004 : Kim Sung-Han
Lee Jong-Beom returned from Japan, and rookies Hong Se-Wan, catcher Kim Sang-Hoon and pitcher Kim Jin-WooKim Jin-Woo
Kim Jin-Woo is a football player from South Korea who plays as a midfielder.He represented South Korea at youth and senior levels...
joined between 2001 and 2002 to lead the team to the playoffs for three years from 2002 to 2004. But each time they were beaten by LG Twins
LG Twins
LG Twins Baseball Club is a Korea Professional Baseball team based in Seoul, South Korea. The club was known as the MBC Blue Dragons owned by the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation until , when they were taken over by the LG Group...
, SK Wyverns
SK Wyverns
SK Wyverns Baseball Club is a South Korean professional baseball team founded in 2000. Based in Incheon, they play their home games at Munhak Baseball Stadium.Their current manager is Man Soo Lee .-History:...
, and Doosan Bears
Doosan Bears
The Doosan Bears are a professional baseball team based in Seoul, South Korea. They are a member of the Korean Baseball Organization....
respectively.
2005 ~ 2008 : Dark Age
Kia Tigers lost 76 games to end up in an embarrassing 8th place in 2005. Manager Yoo Nam-Ho was fired and Seo Jung-Hwan took charge, but again ended up in last place in 2007 despite his effort and joining of former MLB player Choi Hee-SeopHee-Seop Choi
Hee-Seop Choi is a professional baseball player who has played in the MLB for the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a first baseman who bats and throws left-handed. Choi currently plays for the Kia Tigers in the South Korean pro baseball league.-Amateur career:Choi...
.
Battery coach Jo Beom-Hyun was promoted to the new manager in June 2007. Former MLB pitcher Seo Jae-Weong
Jae Weong Seo
Jae Weong Seo , usually referred to as simply Jae Seo and pronounced "Jay So", is a Korean professional baseball player...
joined the team the next year in 2008, but because of a weak lineup, unstable defense and bullpen problems, the Tigers finished the pennant race in 6th place.
2009 : The Renaissance of the Dynasty
2009 started off uneasily for the Tigers, and it looked as if the strong starting rotation of Rick GuttormsonRick Guttormson
Rick Lee Guttormson is a professional baseball starting pitcher who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization....
, Aquilino Lopez
Aquilino Lopez
Aquilino López Roa is a starting pitcher for the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization...
, Yoon Suk-Min
Yoon Suk-Min
Yoon Suk-Min is a pitcher who plays for the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization. He bats and throws right-handed.-Professional career:...
, and Yang Hyeon-Jong
Yang Hyeon-Jong
Yang Hyeon-Jong is a left-handed starting pitcher who plays for the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization.-Amateur career:...
was going to go unaided by the batting lineup. But with Lee Jong-Beom’s leadership and Choi Hee-Seop
Hee-Seop Choi
Hee-Seop Choi is a professional baseball player who has played in the MLB for the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a first baseman who bats and throws left-handed. Choi currently plays for the Kia Tigers in the South Korean pro baseball league.-Amateur career:Choi...
’s revival from his three year long slump, and Kim Sang-Hyun
Kim Sang-Hyun (Infielder)
Kim Sang-Hyeon is a South Korean third baseman who currently plays for the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization.-Professional career:...
’s amazing batting, the Tigers won the pennant race with the second lowest team ERA of 3.92 and win percentage of 0.609.
Kia Tigers won the 2009 KBO season
2009 Korea Baseball Organization season
The Korea Professional Baseball season is the 28th season in the history of the KBO. The KIA Tigers won the regular season and Korean series.-Season Format:*Regular Season: 133 games for each team...
and 2009 Korean Series
2009 Korean Series
The 2009 Korean Series was the 27th edition of Korea Baseball Organization's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff is played between the KIA Tigers and the SK Wyverns...
, which is the first double victory since 1997. 24 year old Outfielder Na Ji-Wan
Na Ji-Wan
Na Ji-Wan is a South Korean outfielder who plays for the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization. He bats and throws right-handed.-Amateur career:...
was named the series MVP
2011: Franchise Stars Return
On October 18, 2011 Sun Dong-YeolSun Dong-Yeol
Sun Dong-Yeol is a retired pitcher in the Korea Professional Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, and is New manager of Kia Tigers in the Korea Professional Baseball...
& Lee Sun-Cheol returned to the Tigers. Sun Dong-Yoel is the new Manager of the Tigers. Lee Sun-Choel is new Head Coach of Tigers.
Season by Season Records
| Year | Team | Final Rank | Pennant Race | Games | W | L | Win% | BA | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Haitai Tigers | 4 | 4 | 80 | 38 | 42 | .475 | .261 | 3.79 |
| 1983 | Haitai Tigers | 1 | 2 | 100 | 55 | 44 | .556 | .268 | 3.17 |
| 1984 | Haitai Tigers | 5 | 5 | 100 | 43 | 54 | .443 | .248 | 3.16 |
| 1985 | Haitai Tigers | 3 | 3 | 110 | 57 | 52 | .523 | .272 | 3.64 |
| 1986 | Haitai Tigers | 1 | 2 | 108 | 67 | 37 | .644 | .259 | 2.86 |
| 1987 | Haitai Tigers | 1 | 2 | 108 | 55 | 48 | .532 | .252 | 3.16 |
| 1988 | Haitai Tigers | 1 | 1 | 108 | 68 | 38 | .639 | .283 | 2.86 |
| 1989 | Haitai Tigers | 1 | 2 | 120 | 65 | 51 | .558 | .255 | 3.34 |
| 1990 | Haitai Tigers | 3 | 2 | 120 | 68 | 49 | .579 | .270 | 3.36 |
| 1991 | Haitai Tigers | 1 | 1 | 126 | 79 | 42 | .647 | .259 | 2.89 |
| 1992 | Haitai Tigers | 3 | 2 | 126 | 71 | 54 | .567 | .272 | 4.21 |
| 1993 | Haitai Tigers | 1 | 1 | 126 | 81 | 42 | .655 | .251 | 2.92 |
| 1994 | Haitai Tigers | 4 | 4 | 126 | 65 | 59 | .524 | .271 | 3.60 |
| 1995 | Haitai Tigers | 4 | 4 | 126 | 64 | 58 | .524 | .242 | 3.06 |
| 1996 | Haitai Tigers | 1 | 1 | 126 | 73 | 51 | .587 | .245 | 3.14 |
| 1997 | Haitai Tigers | 1 | 1 | 126 | 75 | 50 | .599 | .258 | 3.65 |
| 1998 | Haitai Tigers | 5 | 5 | 126 | 61 | 64 | .488 | .258 | 3.91 |
| 1999 | Haitai Tigers | 7 | 7 | 132 | 60 | 69 | .465 | .278 | 5.21 |
| 2000 | Haitai Tigers | 4 | 4 | 133 | 57 | 72 | .442 | .252 | 4.95 |
| 2001 | Kia Tigers | 5 | 5 | 133 | 60 | 68 | .469 | .278 | 5.01 |
| 2002 | Kia Tigers | 3 | 2 | 133 | 78 | 51 | .605 | .269 | 3.92 |
| 2003 | Kia Tigers | 3 | 2 | 133 | 78 | 50 | .609 | .272 | 3.62 |
| 2004 | Kia Tigers | 4 | 4 | 133 | 67 | 61 | .523 | .267 | 4.51 |
| 2005 | Kia Tigers | 8 | 8 | 126 | 49 | 76 | .392 | .260 | 4.81 |
| 2006 | Kia Tigers | 4 | 4 | 126 | 64 | 59 | .520 | .255 | 3.33 |
| 2007 | Kia Tigers | 8 | 8 | 126 | 51 | 74 | .408 | .257 | 4.49 |
| 2008 | Kia Tigers | 6 | 6 | 126 | 57 | 69 | .452 | .260 | 4.08 |
| 2009 | Kia Tigers | 1 | 1 | 133 | 81 | 48 | .609 | .267 | 3.92 |
| 2010 | Kia Tigers | 5 | 5 | 133 | 59 | 74 | .444 | .260 | 4.34 |
| 2011 | Kia Tigers | 4 | 4 | 133 | 70 | 63 | .526 | .269 | 4.10 |