Korea Baseball Organization

Founded in 1982, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) is the top league in South Korea. The league currently has ten teams and its championship is the Korean Series. Prominent alumni include Man Soo Lee, Samson Lee, Seung-Yeop Lee, Dong-yol Sun and Dae-Sung Koo. A major scandal rocked the league in 2004 when 51 players (past and present) were suspended after it was discovered that they dodged mandatory military service by manipulating urine tests; players penalized included Sung-hwan Cho and Hyun-wook Jung. Si-hyun Son was involved in a service-dodging scandal a couple years later.

The league has become an increasingly popular destination for North American players starting in the late 2010s, after having long been considered to be clearly inferior to Nippon Pro Baseball. As a result, a number of player have managed to get their career back on track by finding success in the KBO - or decided to keep playing there as both salaries and playing conditions are favorable.

Current Teams

1982-2012 Logo

• Doosan Bears
  • OB Bears from 1982-1998
• Hanwha Eagles
  • Binggrae Eagles from 1986-1993
• KIA Tigers
  • Haitai Tigers 1982-2001
• KT Wiz
• LG Twins
• Lotte Giants
• NC Dinos
• Kiwoom Heroes
  • Nexen Heroes 2010-2018
  • Seoul Heroes in 2009,
  • Woori Heroes in 2008
• Samsung Lions
• SSG Landers

Former Teams

• Chungbo Pintos became Taepyungyang Dolphins
• Hyundai Unicorns became Woori Heroes
• MBC Blue Dragons became LG Twins
• Sammi Superstars became Chungbo Pintos
• Ssangbangwool Raiders became SK Wyverns
• Taepyungyang Dolphins became Hyundai Unicorns
• SK Wyverns became SSG Landers

Further Reading

• Anthony Castrovince: "A 12-hour plane ride and a dream for pitchers reviving careers in Asia", mlb.com, December 5, 2024. [1]

External Links

• KBO website