History of Kia Tigers in Timeline

The Kia Tigers are a South Korean professional baseball team established in 1982, located in Gwangju. Formerly known as the Haitai Tigers until 2001, they compete in the KBO League. Renowned as the most successful team in Korean baseball history, the Kia Tigers boast an unmatched record of twelve Korean Series championships, winning all twelve appearances. Their home games are played at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.

January 30, 1982: Haitai Tigers Founded

On January 30, 1982, the Haitai Tigers were founded as the third professional baseball team in South Korea with 14 players, following the OB Bears and MBC Chungyong.

1982: Kia Tigers Founded

In 1982, the Kia Tigers, originally known as the Haitai Tigers, were founded in Gwangju, South Korea. They are members of the KBO League.

1983: Kim Eung-ryong Hired as Manager and First Championship Win

In 1983, Kim Eung-ryong was hired as manager of Haitai Tigers and led the team to its first championship, winning the Korean Series 4–0–1 against MBC Chungyong.

1983: Kim Eung-ryong's Management Era Begins

In 1983, under the management of Kim Eung-ryong, the Tigers began a successful period.

1984: Bang Soo-won Pitches First No-Hitter

In 1984, Bang Soo-won pitched the first no-hitter in Korean baseball history against the Sammi Superstars.

1986: Second Korean Series Win

In 1986, the Tigers finished second in the pennant race and won their second Korean Series against the Samsung Lions 4–1.

1989: Completion of Four Consecutive Korean Series Wins

In 1989, the Haitai Tigers completed four consecutive Korean Series wins against the Samsung Lions and Binggrae Eagles.

1990: Playoff Loss to Samsung Lions

In 1990, the Tigers lost in the playoffs to the Samsung Lions.

1991: Korean Series Win and Golden Glove Awards

In 1991, the Tigers won the Korean Series and set a record by winning six out of ten possible KBO League Golden Glove Awards.

1993: Seventh Korean Series Win

In 1993, led by rookie shortstop Lee Jong-beom and closer Sun Dong-yeol, the Tigers won their seventh Korean Series, defeating the Samsung Lions.

1994: Kim Ki-tae Led the League in Home Runs

In 1994, Kim Ki-tae led the League in home runs.

1994: Lee Jong-beom's High Batting Average and Semi-Playoff Loss

In 1994, Lee Jong-beom achieved a batting average of 0.393, but the team lost the semi-playoffs to the Hanhwa Eagles.

1996: Eighth Korean Series Win

In 1996, despite Sun Dong-yeol's transfer, the team, led by Lim Chang-yong and Gang Tae-won, secured its eighth Korean Series win over the Hyundai Unicorns.

1997: End of Kim Eung-ryong's Management Era

In 1997, Kim Eung-ryong's management era ended, during which the Tigers won nine championships.

1997: Kim Ki-tae Won Batting Title

In 1997, Kim Ki-tae won the batting title.

1997: First Double Victory Since 1997

The 2009 KBO season and Korean Series win marked the first 'double-victory' since 1997 for the Tigers.

1998: Asian Financial Crisis

In 1998, the Asian financial crisis impacted Haitai, leading to financial difficulties for the Tigers.

2001: Lee Jong-beom Returns

In 2001, Lee Jong-beom returned from Japan to the team.

2001: Sale to Kia

In 2001, due to financial difficulties, Haitai was forced to sell the team to Kia.

2001: Name Change to Kia Tigers

In 2001, the Haitai Tigers were renamed the Kia Tigers.

2002: Playoff Appearance

In 2002, led by returning Lee Jong-beom and rookies Hong Se-wan, Kim Sang-hoon and Kim Jin-woo, the team made it to the playoffs but were beaten by the LG Twins.

2004: Playoff Loss to Doosan Bears

In 2004, the team made it to the playoffs for the third straight year, but was beaten by the Doosan Bears.

2005: Finished Bottom of the League

In 2005, the Kia Tigers finished at the bottom of the league for the first time.

2005: Eighth Place Finish

In 2005, the Kia Tigers lost 76 games and ended up in eighth place, leading to the firing of Manager Yoo Nam-ho.

June 2007: Jo Beom-hyun Promoted to Manager

In June 2007, batting coach Jo Beom-hyun was promoted to the new manager position for the Kia Tigers.

2007: Last Place Finish

In 2007, despite the efforts of Manager Seo Jung-hwan and the joining of former MLB player Hee-seop Choi, the Kia Tigers ended up in last place.

2007: Finished Bottom of the League Again

In 2007, the Kia Tigers finished at the bottom of the league for the second time.

2008: Sixth Place Finish

In 2008, despite the addition of former MLB pitcher Seo Jae-weong, the Tigers finished the pennant race in sixth place due to a weak lineup, unstable defense, and bullpen problems.

2009: Kim Sang-hyeon Trade

In 2009 MVP Kim Sang-hyeon was traded to the SK Wyverns.

2009: Pennant Win

In 2009, despite a rough start, the Tigers, with Lee Jong-beom's leadership, Choi Hee-seop's revival, and Kim Sang-hyeon's hitting, won the pennant with the second-lowest team ERA in the league (3.92) and a win percentage of 0.609.

2009: Won KBO Season and Korean Series

In 2009, the Kia Tigers won both the KBO season and the Korean Series.

2009: Double Victory

In 2009, the Tigers won the KBO season and Korean Series, marking the first "double- victory" since 1997. Outfielder Na Ji-Wan was named the series MVP.

2010: Yang Hyeon-jong's Season

In 2010 Yang Hyeon-jong reached 16 wins, which he would equal in 2014.

October 18, 2011: Sun Dong-yeol and Lee Soon-cheol Return to Tigers

On October 18, 2011, Sun Dong-yeol was named the new manager and Lee Sun-choel was named the new head coach of the KIA Tigers.

2012: Disappointing Season

In 2012, Sun's first season as manager, the Tigers finished a disappointing fifth place after making the playoffs.

2013: Kim Ki-tae Led LG Twins to Post-Season

In 2013, Kim Ki-tae led the LG Twins to their first post-season in eleven years.

2013: Playoff Surge

In 2013, a late playoff surge saw the Tigers fall just short of their rivals, the Lotte Giants. Starting pitchers Seo Jae-weong, Kim Jin-woo and Yoon Suk-min all posted complete-game wins.

2013: Eighth Place Finish

In 2013, the Tigers finished in eighth place with 51 wins from 128 games.

October 28, 2014: Kim Ki-tae Appointed New Manager

On October 28, 2014, Kim Ki-tae was announced as the new manager of the club, signing a three-year deal.

2014: Eighth Place Finish

In 2014, despite solid batting numbers, the Tigers finished eighth in the standings with a .422 winning percentage. Yang Hyeon-jong had 16 wins, his best since 2010.

2014: Move to Gwangju KIA Champions Field and Roster Changes

In 2014, the Tigers moved to their new home, Gwangju KIA Champions Field. The team signed free agents Lee Dae-hyung and Kim Byung-hyun.

2017: Korean Series Victory

In 2017, as the regular-season champions, the Kia Tigers automatically advanced to the 2017 Korean Series and won the best-of-seven series, 4–1, against the Doosan Bears. Yang Hyeon-jong was named the series' most valuable player.