History of Lotte Giants in Timeline

The Lotte Giants are a professional baseball team based in Busan, South Korea. As a member of the KBO League, they represent the city in South Korea's premier baseball competition. The team is owned and operated by Lotte Corporation.

May 1975: Team Founding

In May 1975, the Lotte Giants were founded as an amateur baseball team of the Korea Baseball Association in Seoul, South Korea.

February 1982: Professional Transition and Move to Busan

In February 1982, the Giants transitioned to a professional team and moved to Busan, South Korea's second-largest city.

March 1982: KBO League Debut

On March 28, 1982, the Lotte Giants made their KBO League debut against the Haitai Tigers at Gudeok Baseball Stadium, winning 14–2. However, they finished the year in fifth place out of six teams.

1982: Stadium Era Begins

In 1982, the Lotte Giants began playing at Gudeok Baseball Stadium.

1983: Choi Dong-won joins Giants

Choi Dong-won played for the Giants between 1983 and 1988, and won the KBO MVP award in 1984.

1984: Choi Dong-won wins KBO MVP

Choi Dong-won played for the Giants between 1983 and 1988, and won the KBO MVP award in 1984.

1984: Korean Series Victory

In 1984, the Giants won their first Korean Series title in the third season after the KBO League was launched, defeating the Samsung Lions 4–3. Choi Dong-won led the team, earning the regular season MVP Award.

1985: Move to Sajik Baseball Stadium

In 1985, the Lotte Giants moved to Sajik Baseball Stadium, where they have played since.

1988: Major Trade

After the 1988 season, the Giants made one of the biggest trades in KBO League history, sending star pitcher Choi Dong-won and Kim Yong-chul to the Samsung Lions, and receiving hitter Jang Hyo-jo and pitcher Kim Si-kin.

1988: Choi Dong-won leaves Giants

Choi Dong-won played for the Giants between 1983 and 1988, and won the KBO MVP award in 1984.

1991: First Korean Team to Exceed One Million Spectators

In 1991, the Lotte Giants became the first Korean team to attract more than one million spectators to their home games during a season.

1992: Second Korean Series Victory

In 1992, the Lotte Giants won their second Korean Series title.

1995: Korean Series Appearance

In 1995, the Giants made it back to the Korean Series but lost.

1998: Kim Myung-seong becomes manager

Kim Myung-seong had been in charge of the team since 1998, until he died in mid-2001.

1999: Korean Series Appearance

In 1999, the Giants made it back to the Korean Series but lost. They have not appeared in the Korean Series since 1999.

2001: Last Place Finish and Manager's Death

From 2001 to 2007 the Giants did not qualify for the postseason, finishing in last place for four consecutive years (2001–2004). In mid-2001, the Giants' manager Kim Myung-seong died of a heart attack.

2004: Last Place Finish

From 2001 to 2007 the Giants did not qualify for the postseason, finishing in last place for four consecutive years (2001–2004).

2007: Playoff Drought

From 2001 to 2007 the Giants did not qualify for the postseason, finishing in last place for four consecutive years (2001–2004).

2007: Signing of Jerry Royster

Late in 2007, the Giants signed American Jerry Royster to become the manager of the Giants, making him the first-ever non-Korean to take the helm of one of South Korea's professional baseball clubs.

2008: Over 1 Million Fans

From 2008 to 2012, they drew over 1 million fans for five consecutive seasons.

2009: Record Attendance

During the 2009 season, the Lotte Giants drew approximately 1.38 million spectators, setting a record for the highest attendance in a single season in any South Korean sports league.

2009: All-Time Home Attendance Record

In the 2009 season, the Lotte Giants set the all-time record of home attendance of 1,380,018 fans.

2010: Royster's Tenure Ends

Royster served as the Giants' manager through the 2010 season, guiding the team to the playoffs in all three seasons.

2011: Most Popular Team and High Attendance

According to a Gallup Korea's survey conducted in 2011, the Giants were voted as the most popular team three times in a row. In the 2011 season, they also led the league in the total home attendance with 1,358,322 fans at 67 home games.

2011: Choi Dong-won's Death

In 2011, Choi Dong-won, described as one of the top pitchers in the Korea Professional Baseball league, who played for the Giants between 1983 and 1988, and won the KBO MVP award in 1984, died of cancer.