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 | 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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| 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 play in the KBO League. They are the most successful team in Korean baseball history. They have won the Korean Series championship an amazing twelve times! What's even cooler is that they have a perfect record in the finals: 12 wins and 0 losses. Their home stadium is Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.
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. But they made an amazing comeback! In 2009, the Tigers won both the regular season and the 2009 Korean Series.
Contents
Team History
Starting Out as the Haitai Tigers (1982–2001)
The Haitai Tigers were the third professional baseball team created in South Korea. They began on January 30, 1982, with 14 players. Their first manager, Kim Dong-yeob, was replaced quickly by Jo Chang-soo.
In 1983, the team hired Kim Eung-ryong as their new manager. He had studied baseball in the United States. Manager Kim led the team to their very first championship that same year. The Tigers won the Korean Series against the MBC Chungyong team.
Even though they didn't make the playoffs for the next two years, they were building a strong team. They signed future stars like Lee Soon-cheol, Sun Dong-yeol, and Kim Seong-han. In 1984, Bang Soo-won pitched the first no-hitter in Korean baseball history!
The Golden Years: Nine Championships (1983–1997)
Under manager Kim Eung-ryong, the Tigers had an incredible run. Between 1983 and 1997, they won nine championships. They never lost a Korean Series during this time!
In 1986, they won their second Korean Series against the Samsung Lions. From 1986 to 1989, the Haitai Tigers won four championships in a row. They beat the Samsung Lions and the Binggrae Eagles twice. Players like Kim Jung-soo and Park Chul-woo were named MVPs of these series.
The Tigers lost in the playoffs in 1990 but won the Korean Series again in 1991. That year, they set a record by winning six out of ten possible KBO League Golden Glove Awards.
1993 was a big year for rookie shortstop Lee Jong-beom, star pitcher Sun Dong-yeol, and other great players. The Tigers won their seventh Korean Series, again 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 team struggled because Lee Jong-beom and Lee Dae-jin had to leave for military service. This is required for all male South Korean citizens.
Even when star pitcher Sun Dong-yeol moved to a Japanese team in 1996, the Tigers kept winning. Lim Chang-yong and Gang Tae-won stepped up. They helped the team win their eighth Korean Series against the Hyundai Unicorns.
In 1997, Lee Jong-beom and Lee Dae-jin returned from military service. With their help, the Tigers won the Korean Series once more. They beat the LG Twins, bringing their total championships to nine!
Becoming the Kia Tigers (2001–Present)
Because of money problems in 1998, the Haitai company had to sell the team. In 2001, Kia bought the team, and they became the Kia Tigers. The team also lost some of their best players and their manager during this time.
Lee Jong-beom returned from Japan. New players like Hong Se-wan and Kim Jin-woo joined the team. From 2002 to 2004, the Tigers made it to the playoffs for three years in a row. But they lost each time to different teams.
In 2005, the Kia Tigers finished in last place. This happened again in 2007, even with former MLB player Hee-seop Choi joining the team.
Comeback and New Success (2009–Present)
In 2009, the Tigers had a strong group of starting pitchers. With great leadership from Lee Jong-beom, a comeback from Hee-seop Choi, and strong hitting from Kim Sang-hyeon, the Tigers won the regular season.
They then went on to win the 2009 Korean Series! This was their first "double-victory" (winning both the regular season and the Korean Series) since 1997. Na Ji-Wan was named the series MVP after hitting a game-winning home run in the final game.
In 2011, Sun Dong-yeol returned to the Tigers as the new manager. The team moved to their new home stadium, the Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, in 2014.
In 2017, the Kia Tigers had another fantastic season. They won the regular season and automatically went to the 2017 Korean Series. They played against the Doosan Bears and won the series 4–1. Pitcher Yang Hyeon-jong was named the series' most valuable player.
After the 2019 season, the Tigers hired Matt Williams. He was their first American manager. The team continues to play in the KBO League, aiming for more championships!
Season Records
This table shows how the Kia Tigers have performed each season. You can see their wins, losses, and how they finished in the league.
| Season | Stadium | League | Finish | Regular season | Postseason | Awards | ||||||||
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| Rank | Games | Wins | Losses | Draws | Win% | BA | HR | ERA | ||||||
| Haitai Tigers | ||||||||||||||
| 1982 | Gwangju Mudeung Baseball Stadium |
KBO | 4/6 | 4/6 | 40 | 20 | 20 | 0 | .500 | .261 | 84 | 3.79 | Did not qualify | |
| 4/6 | 40 | 18 | 22 | 0 | .450 | |||||||||
| 1983 | KBO | 1/6 | 1/6 | 50 | 30 | 19 | 1 | .612 | .268 | 78 | 3.17 | Won Korean Series vs. MBC Chungyong (4–1–0) | ||
| 4/6 | 50 | 25 | 25 | 0 | .500 | |||||||||
| 1984 | KBO | 5/6 | 5/6 | 50 | 19 | 29 | 2 | .396 | .248 | 76 | 3.16 | Did not qualify | ||
| 3/6 | 50 | 24 | 25 | 1 | .490 | |||||||||
| 1985 | KBO | 3/6 | 3/6 | 55 | 29 | 26 | 0 | .527 | .272 | 99 | 3.64 | Did not qualify | Kim Seong-han (MVP) Lee Sun-cheol (ROTY) |
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| 3/6 | 55 | 28 | 26 | 1 | .519 | |||||||||
| 1986 | KBO | 1/7 | 2/7 | 54 | 34 | 18 | 2 | .654 | .259 | 99 | 2.86 | Won Korean Series vs. Samsung Lions (4–1) | Sun Dong-yol (MVP) | |
| 2/7 | 54 | 33 | 19 | 2 | .635 | |||||||||
| 1987 | KBO | 1/7 | 3/7 | 54 | 27 | 25 | 2 | .519 | .252 | 71 | 3.16 | Won playoff vs. OB Bears (3–2) Won Korean Series vs. Samsung Lions (4–0) |
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| 2/7 | 54 | 28 | 23 | 3 | .549 | |||||||||
| 1988 | KBO | 1/7 | 1/7 | 54 | 34 | 19 | 1 | .639 | .283 | 112 | 2.86 | Won Korean Series vs. Binggrae Eagles (4–2) | Kim Seong-han (MVP) | |
| 1/7 | 54 | 34 | 19 | 1 | .639 | |||||||||
| 1989 | KBO | 1/7 | 2/7 | 120 | 65 | 51 | 4 | .558 | .255 | 90 | 3.34 | Won playoff vs. Pacific Dolphins (3–0) Won Korean Series vs. Binggrae Eagles (4–1) |
Sun Dong-yol (MVP) | |
| 1990 | KBO | 3/7 | 2/7 | 120 | 68 | 49 | 3 | .579 | .270 | 87 | 3.36 | Lost playoff vs. Samsung Lions (0–3) | Sun Dong-yol (MVP) | |
| 1991 | KBO | 1/8 | 1/8 | 126 | 79 | 42 | 5 | .647 | .259 | 144 | 2.89 | Won Korean Series vs. Binggrae Eagles (4–0) | ||
| 1992 | KBO | 3/8 | 2/8 | 126 | 71 | 54 | 1 | .567 | .272 | 138 | 4.21 | Lost playoff vs. Lotte Giants (2–3) | ||
| 1993 | KBO | 1/8 | 1/8 | 126 | 81 | 42 | 3 | .659 | .251 | 95 | 2.92 | Won Korean Series vs. Samsung Lions (4–1-2) | ||
| 1994 | KBO | 4/8 | 4/8 | 126 | 65 | 59 | 2 | .524 | .271 | 93 | 3.60 | Lost semi-playoff vs. Hanwha Eagles (0–2) | Lee Jong-beom (MVP) | |
| 1995 | KBO | 4/8 | 4/8 | 126 | 64 | 58 | 4 | .524 | .242 | 75 | 3.06 | Did not qualify | ||
| 1996 | KBO | 1/8 | 1/8 | 126 | 73 | 51 | 2 | .587 | .245 | 92 | 3.14 | Won Korean Series vs. Hyundai Unicorns (4–2) | ||
| 1997 | KBO | 1/8 | 1/8 | 126 | 75 | 50 | 1 | .599 | .258 | 133 | 3.65 | Won Korean Series vs. LG Twins (4–1) | ||
| 1998 | KBO | 5/8 | 5/8 | 126 | 61 | 64 | 1 | .488 | .258 | 94 | 3.91 | Did not qualify | ||
| 1999 | Dream League | 7/8 | 4/4 | 132 | 60 | 69 | 3 | .465 | .278 | 210 | 5.21 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2000 | Dream League | 6/8 | 4/4 | 133 | 57 | 72 | 4 | .442 | .252 | 86 | 4.95 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2001 | KBO | 5/8 | 5/8 | 133 | 60 | 68 | 5 | .469 | .278 | 142 | 5.01 | Did not qualify | ||
| Kia Tigers | ||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Gwangju Mudeung Baseball Stadium |
KBO | 3/8 | 2/8 | 133 | 78 | 51 | 4 | .605 | .269 | 120 | 3.92 | Lost playoff vs. LG Twins (2–3) | |
| 2003 | KBO | 3/8 | 2/8 | 133 | 78 | 50 | 5 | .609 | .272 | 129 | 3.62 | Lost playoff vs. SK Wyverns (0–3) | ||
| 2004 | KBO | 4/8 | 4/8 | 133 | 67 | 61 | 5 | .523 | .267 | 143 | 4.51 | Lost semi-playoff vs. Doosan Bears (0–2) | ||
| 2005 | KBO | 8/8 | 8/8 | 126 | 49 | 76 | 1 | .392 | .260 | 99 | 4.81 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2006 | KBO | 4/8 | 4/8 | 126 | 64 | 59 | 3 | .520 | .255 | 62 | 3.33 | Lost semi-playoff vs. Hanwha Eagles (1–2) | ||
| 2007 | KBO | 8/8 | 8/8 | 126 | 51 | 74 | 1 | .408 | .257 | 73 | 4.49 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2008 | KBO | 6/8 | 6/8 | 126 | 57 | 69 | 0 | .452 | .260 | 48 | 4.08 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2009 | KBO | 1/8 | 1/8 | 133 | 81 | 48 | 4 | .609 | .267 | 156 | 3.92 | Won Korean Series vs. SK Wyverns (4–3) | Kim Sang-hyeon (MVP) | |
| 2010 | KBO | 5/8 | 5/8 | 133 | 59 | 74 | 0 | .444 | .260 | 106 | 4.39 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2011 | KBO | 4/8 | 4/8 | 133 | 70 | 63 | 0 | .526 | .269 | 106 | 4.10 | Lost semi-playoff vs. SK Wyverns (1–3) | Yoon Suk-min (MVP) | |
| 2012 | KBO | 5/8 | 5/8 | 133 | 62 | 65 | 6 | .488 | .256 | 54 | 3.90 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2013 | KBO | 8/9 | 8/9 | 128 | 51 | 74 | 3 | .408 | .261 | 88 | 5.12 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2014 | Gwangju-Kia Champions Field |
KBO | 8/9 | 8/9 | 128 | 54 | 74 | 0 | .422 | .288 | 121 | 5.82 | Did not qualify | |
| 2015 | KBO | 7/10 | 7/10 | 144 | 67 | 77 | 0 | .465 | .251 | 136 | 4.79 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2016 | KBO | 5/10 | 5/10 | 144 | 70 | 73 | 1 | .490 | .286 | 170 | 4.97 | Lost wild card vs. LG Twins (1–1) | ||
| 2017 | KBO | 1/10 | 1/10 | 144 | 87 | 56 | 1 | .608 | .302 | 170 | 4.79 | Won Korean Series vs. Doosan Bears (4–1) | Yang Hyeon-jong (MVP) | |
| 2018 | KBO | 5/10 | 5/10 | 144 | 70 | 74 | 0 | .486 | .295 | 170 | 5.40 | Lost wild card vs. Nexen Heroes (0–1) | ||
| 2019 | KBO | 7/10 | 7/10 | 144 | 62 | 80 | 2 | .437 | .264 | 76 | 4.65 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2020 | KBO | 6/10 | 6/10 | 144 | 73 | 71 | 0 | .507 | .274 | 130 | 5.13 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2021 | KBO | 9/10 | 9/10 | 144 | 58 | 76 | 10 | .433 | .248 | 66 | 4.89 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2022 | KBO | 5/10 | 5/10 | 144 | 70 | 73 | 1 | .490 | .272 | 113 | 4.20 | Lost wild card vs. KT Wiz (0–1) | ||
| 2023 | KBO | 6/10 | 6/10 | 144 | 73 | 69 | 2 | .514 | .276 | 101 | 4.13 | Did not qualify | ||
| 2024 | KBO | 1/10 | 1/10 | 144 | 87 | 55 | 2 | .613 | .301 | 163 | 4.40 | Won Korean Series vs. Samsung Lions (4–1) | ||
Team Information
Current Team Lineup
Team Managers
Here are the managers who have led the Kia Tigers (and Haitai Tigers) over the years:
- 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
Some players were so important to the team that their jersey numbers were retired. This means no other player on the team can wear that number again.
 Lee Jong-beom SS, RF |
 Sun Dong-yol P |
See also
In Spanish: Kia Tigers para niños
- Pikki Pikki dance
