History of Samsung Lions in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 9, 2025

The Samsung Lions are a South Korean professional baseball team founded in 1982, based in Daegu. Competing in the KBO League, they play their home games at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. The Lions have secured eight Korean Championship titles and have been runners-up eleven times. Notably, they were the first team to achieve four consecutive Korean Series wins (2011-2014) and five consecutive regular-season league titles (2011-2015), marking them as a dominant force in Korean baseball history.

1982: Lee Man-soo Joins Samsung Lions

In 1982, Lee Man-soo started playing for the Samsung Lions.

1982: Samsung Lions Founded

In 1982, the Samsung Lions were founded as one of the original six KBO League teams.

1983: Lee Man-soo Wins KBO League MVP

In 1983, Lee Man-soo won the KBO League MVP award.

1984: Lee Man-soo Wins Hitting Triple Crown

In 1984, Lee Man-soo won the hitting Triple Crown.

1985: First Championship

In 1985, the Samsung Lions won their first championship with a record of 77–32, the best one-season winning percentage in KBO League history. The team had Kim Si-jin and Kim Il-young, both 25-game winners.

1986: Fan Violence in Korean Series

In 1986, the Korean Series between the Samsung Lions and Haitai Tigers was marred by fan violence, including a Tigers supporter hitting Lions pitcher Jin Dong-han with a soju bottle and Lions fans rioting after later games in Daegu.

1987: Renewed Rivalry Amid Political Tension

In 1987, the Samsung Lions and Haitai Tigers met again amid rising political tension linked to South Korea's democratic transition. The Tigers won the series, and Roh Tae-woo announced the June 29 Declaration following pro-democracy protests.

1993: Yang Joon-hyuk Joins Samsung Lions

In 1993, Yang Joon-hyuk started playing for the Samsung Lions.

1997: Lee Man-soo Leaves Samsung Lions

In 1997, Lee Man-soo ended his playing career with the Samsung Lions.

1998: Yang Joon-hyuk Continues with Samsung Lions

In 1998, Yang Joon-hyuk was still with Samsung Lions.

2002: Yang Joon-hyuk Re-joins Samsung Lions

In 2002, Yang Joon-hyuk re-joined the Samsung Lions.

2002: Championship Win

In 2002, the Samsung Lions won the championship, having the best record that year.

2005: Championship Win

In 2005, the Samsung Lions won the championship, having the best record that year.

2006: Championship Win

In 2006, the Samsung Lions won the championship, having the best record that year.

2010: Ryu Jung-il Hired as Manager

In 2010, Ryu Jung-il was hired as the new manager of the Samsung Lions.

2010: Yang Joon-hyuk Continues with Samsung Lions

In 2010, Yang Joon-hyuk was still with Samsung Lions.

2011: Korean Series Title

In 2011, the Samsung Lions won the Korean Championship, marking the beginning of their four consecutive title wins.

2011: Fifth KBO Title and Asian Series Championship

In 2011, under Ryu Jung-il, the Samsung Lions won their fifth KBO title and subsequently won the Asian Series championship, becoming the first team to win the pennant race, Korean Series, and Asian Series in the same year.

2012: Lee Seung-yuop Returns and Sixth Championship

In 2012, Lee Seung-yuop returned to South Korea from Japan, and the Samsung Lions won their sixth championship.

2013: Championship Win

In 2013, the Samsung Lions won another championship.

2014: Championship Win

In 2014, the Samsung Lions won another championship, for a total of eight Korean Series championships.

2014: Fourth Consecutive Korean Series Title

In 2014, the Samsung Lions won their fourth consecutive Korean Series title, becoming the first team to achieve this milestone.

2015: Fifth Consecutive Regular Season League Title

In 2015, the Samsung Lions secured their fifth consecutive regular season league title, setting another milestone as the first team to accomplish this feat.