Kia Tigers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kia Tigers |
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| KIA 타이거즈 | |||||
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| Information | |||||
| League | KBO League (1982–present) | ||||
| Location | Gwangju | ||||
| Ballpark |
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| Year established | January 30, 1982 | ||||
| League championships | 1988, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2009, 2017, 2024 | ||||
| Korean Series championships | 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2009, 2017, 2024 | ||||
| Former name(s) | Haitai Tigers (1982–2001) | ||||
| Former ballparks |
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| Colors | Red, white, black |
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| Mascot | Hogeori, Hoyeoni and Harang | ||||
| Retired numbers | 7, 18 | ||||
| Ownership | Kia | ||||
| Manager | Lee Bum-ho | ||||
The Kia Tigers (Korean: KIA 타이거즈) are a professional baseball team from South Korea. They were started in 1982 and are based in the city of Gwangju. Before 2001, they were known as the Haitai Tigers. The Tigers are part of the KBO League. They are the most successful team in Korean baseball history. They have won the Korean Series championship twelve times. Their home stadium is Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju.
After many successful years in the 1980s and 1990s, the team faced some tough times. They finished last in the league in 2005 and again in 2007. However, in 2009, the Tigers made a big comeback. They won the 2009 KBO season and the 2009 Korean Series. This showed their strong team spirit.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the team was very popular in their home region of Honam. This region was known for its support of democratic ideas. Because of this, they had a big rivalry with the Samsung Lions. The Lions are from the Yeongnam region, which had different political views.
Contents
Team History: A Look Back
Starting Strong in the 1980s
The Haitai Tigers were one of the first professional baseball teams in South Korea. They were founded on January 30, 1982, with 14 players. Their first manager, Kim Dong-yeob, was replaced quickly by Jo Chang-soo. The team finished their first year with a record of 38 wins and 42 losses. Back then, some players like Kim Seong-han were amazing. He pitched well and also led the league in runs batted in (RBIs).
In 1983, Kim Eung-ryong became the manager. He had studied baseball in the United States. He led the team to their first championship in 1983. The Tigers won the Korean Series against MBC Chungyong. Even though they didn't make the playoffs for the next two years, they signed future stars. These included Lee Soon-cheol, Sun Dong-yeol, and Kim Seong-han. These players helped build a strong foundation for the team.
In 1984, Bang Soo-won pitched the first no-hitter in Korean baseball history. This was a huge moment for the team. From 1983 to 1997, under manager Kim Eung-ryong, the Tigers won nine championships. They never lost a Korean Series during this time. In 1986, they won their second Korean Series against the Samsung Lions.
The Haitai Tigers continued their winning streak until 1989. They won four Korean Series in a row. They beat the Samsung Lions again and the Binggrae Eagles twice. Many players became MVPs (Most Valuable Players) during these championship runs.
Dominating the 1990s
The Tigers lost in the playoffs in 1990. But they came back strong and won the next Korean Series in 1991. That year, the team set a record. They won six out of ten possible KBO League Golden Glove Awards. This award goes to the best players at each position.
The year 1993 was special for rookie shortstop Lee Jong-beom. He played alongside star pitcher Sun Dong-yeol and other great pitchers. The Tigers won 81 out of 126 games. They also won their seventh Korean Series, defeating the Samsung Lions.
In 1994, Lee Jong-beom had an amazing batting average of 0.393. This was one of the highest in Korean baseball history. However, the team lost in the semi-playoffs. The next year, the Tigers finished fourth. This was partly because Lee Jong-beom and Lee Dae-jin had to leave for mandatory military service.
Even when star pitcher Sun Dong-yeol moved to Japan in 1996, the team kept winning. Lim Chang-yong and Gang Tae-won stepped up. They helped the team win its eighth Korean Series against the Hyundai Unicorns. The next year, Lee Jong-beom and Lee Dae-jin returned. With their help, the Tigers won their ninth championship. They defeated the LG Twins.
Challenges and Triumphs in the 2000s
Around 1998, there was a financial crisis in Asia. This forced Haitai to sell the team to Kia in 2001. The Tigers also faced financial problems. They couldn't keep some of their best players. Lee Jong-beom went to Japan, and Lim Chang-yong and manager Kim Eung-ryong joined the Samsung Lions.
Lee Jong-beom later returned from Japan. New talented players like Hong Se-wan and Kim Jin-woo joined the team. They helped the Tigers reach the playoffs for three years in a row, from 2002 to 2004. But each time, they were defeated by other strong teams.
In 2005, the Kia Tigers had a tough year. They lost 76 games and finished last. Manager Yoo Nam-ho was fired. Seo Jung-hwan took over, but the team finished last again in 2007. This was despite former MLB player Hee-seop Choi joining the team.
In June 2007, batting coach Jo Beom-hyun became the new manager. Former MLB pitcher Seo Jae-weong joined in 2008. But the team still struggled with their batting and defense. They finished sixth in the league.
The 2009 season started rough for the Tigers. Their strong starting pitchers seemed to get little help from the offense. But with Lee Jong-beom's leadership and Choi Hee-seop's improved hitting, the team turned things around. They won the league with a great record.
The Tigers won the 2009 KBO season and the 2009 Korean Series. This was a "double-victory." It meant they had the best record in the regular season and also won the championship. This hadn't happened since 1997. Outfielder Na Ji-Wan was named the series MVP. He hit a game-winning home run in the final game.
The 2010s and Beyond
On October 18, 2011, former stars Sun Dong-yeol and Lee Soon-cheol returned to the Tigers. Sun Dong-yeol became the new manager. In 2012, the Tigers finished fifth. They just missed the playoffs. However, a strong finish to the season gave fans hope for 2013.
In 2013, the Tigers started the season very well. They were at the top of the league in early May. Their batters were hitting well, and pitcher Yang Hyeon-jong was playing great. But a trade that sent MVP Kim Sang-hyeon away hurt the team. They ended up finishing eighth that year.
In 2014, the Tigers moved to their new home, the Gwangju-Kia Champions Field. This stadium can hold 27,000 fans. Manager Sun Dong-yeol was given another season. The team brought in new players like Lee Dae-hyung and Kim Byung-hyun. Despite some good batting, the Tigers finished eighth again.
After the 2014 season, manager Sun Dong-yeol stepped down. On October 28, 2014, Kim Ki-tae became the new manager. He was born in Gwangju. As a player, Kim was a great hitter.
In 2017, the Kia Tigers had an amazing season. They won the regular season championship. This meant they automatically went to the 2017 Korean Series. They played against the Doosan Bears and won the series 4–1. Yang Hyeon-jong was named the series' most valuable player.
After the 2019 season, the Tigers made history. They named former San Francisco Giants star Matt Williams as their first American manager.
In 2024, the Kia Tigers once again showed their strength. They finished first in the regular season. They then went on to win the 2024 Korean Series against the Samsung Lions, with a 4-1 record. Kim Do-yeong was named the series MVP. This victory marked their twelfth championship, continuing their perfect record in the Korean Series.
Team Spirit and Rivalries
The Kia Tigers, started in 1982, are deeply connected to the city of Gwangju. The team became a strong symbol of local pride. Their early success in baseball happened during a time of big changes in South Korea.
The team has a famous rivalry with the Samsung Lions from Daegu. This rivalry often showed the different feelings between the Honam region (where the Tigers are from) and the Yeongnam region (where the Lions are from). Games between the two teams were always exciting. Fans were very passionate.
For example, in 1986, a Korean Series game between the Haitai Tigers and Samsung Lions had some fan trouble. In 1987, the teams met again. There was a lot of excitement because of important political events happening in South Korea. The Tigers won that series.
For many years, the Tigers were not allowed to play home games on May 18. This date is important in Gwangju's history. Authorities were worried that a game might cause new protests. This rule showed how important the team was to the community's identity.
Team Leaders
Managers
- Kim Dong-yeob (1982)
- Cho Chang-soo (1982) (temporary)
- Kim Eung-ryong (1983–2000)
- Kim Seong-han (2000–2004)
- Yoo Nam-ho (2004–2005)
- Seo Jeong-hwan (2005–2007)
- Cho Beom-hyeon (2007–2011)
- Sun Dong-yol (2011–2014)
- Kim Ki-tai (2014–2019)
- Park Heung-sik (2019) (temporary)
- Matt Williams (2020–2021)
- Kim Jong-kook (2022–2023)
- Lee Bum-ho (2024–present)
Retired Jersey Numbers
The Kia Tigers have honored two legendary players by retiring their jersey numbers. This means no other player on the team will ever wear these numbers again.
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Lee Jong-beom Shortstop, Right Fielder |
Sun Dong-yol Pitcher |
See also
In Spanish: Kia Tigers para niños
