Four Storylines To Watch In The KBO Korean Baseball League
Existing without live sports has been awful. I wrote a piece about surviving as a sports fan during the pandemic, but the itch for live-action is becoming worse.
Consequently, I proceeded to consume the KBO, Korean Baseball.
My son didn’t want to participate in bedtime, so to help him fall asleep, I laid in his bed. Two hours later, I was waking up, not even realizing I was sleep. The late-night cat nap kept me awake into the twilight hours. Korean Baseball popped up on my television while seeking something to watch.
I followed a game, listen to the commentary, and somewhat entertained, but something was missing.
Then it finally hit me; I ESPN’s broadcast didn’t offer much information about the league.
The commentators calling the game jumped in-n-out dialogue about the league, but the storylines weren’t communicated properly. They tried to relate every scenario to Major League Baseball, which was an attempt to appeal to the American audience. But that lack of storytelling by the producers didn’t make me want to care about the game I was watching.
So I went to look for the storylines, which was more difficult than I thought. Information about the KBO is very bleak, but as I kept digging, gems about the 2020 season began to appear.
Let’s start with some basic information about Korean Baseball to catch you up to speed.
The KBO League was founded in 1982 with six original franchises. The league is the most popular in South Korea and honors the infamous “bat flip.”
Kia Tigers are the most decorated franchise, capturing 11 championships since 1983 but only two since 2009. The Doosan Bears are the reigning champs and have dominated the league since 2015.
Former MLB pitcher, Chan Ho Park, became the first player from the KBO to step foot in the majors. Park posted a 2.47 ERA while with the South Korea National Baseball team. His MLB career lasted from 1994–2010, spending much of that time with the Dodgers.
Since Park, seventeen players have entered The Majors from the KBO.
The KBO is looked to be Triple-A level of competition by some baseball writers. With the ESPN partnership, the KBO will be available in 130 countries. Most games broadcasted on America airways require you to stay late or wake up early, some games not starting until 5:30 am.
Will the DOOSAN BEARS Win Their 4th title Since 2015?
The Doosan Bears won the first inaugural KBO Series Championship in 1982, but the franchise went on a 13-year drought before capturing another one. Heading into the 2020s, they are the most dominant team in the KBO.
The Bears dominance includes eight KBO Series appearances since 2012. In their last three titles runs, they have a combined record of 12–1 in the KBO Series. Three players were crowned KBO MVP during that span, pitcher Dustin Nippert (2016), outfielder Kim Jae-Hwon (2018), and most recent Jason Lindbloom (2019).
Manager, Kim Tae-Hyoung, has the best winning percentage in franchise history. He doesn’t believe the loss of Lindbloom, who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, will hurt the team too much, but he did acknowledge the loss may cost them ten games.
Currently, the Bears are 4th place in the league’s standings with an 8–6 record, looking to fix their losing home record.
Can the NC Dinos Go Wire-to-Wire?
Not to be mistaken with North Carolina, the Dinos carry the name of the software company sponsor. Founded in 2011, it is the second youngest franchise in the KBO, after the kt Wiz.
The burgeoning franchise leads the KBO with a 12–2 record, two games ahead of the LG Twins. A year ago, the Dinos finished fourth in the KBO with 28 wins, but they led the league in home runs. ESPN ranked them sixth in the league’s Opening Day Power Rankings.
They opened the season with a series sweep over the Samsung Lions, outscoring them 16–5.
Starting pitcher, Koo Chang-mo, is off to a great start with a 0.41 ERA and 25 strikeouts in three games. The 23-year old is in his fifth season and already has four seasons under his belt with 100+ strikeouts.
Veteran and superstar catcher, Yang Eui-Ji, leads a lineup that already has 20 home runs combined. Yang started his career with the Bears, winning three titles and crowned 2016 Korean Series MVP. Yang commands a very talented bullpen in his first season with the Dinos, and it seems like his winning pedigree is wearing off.
Catch the Dinos May 24th at 1 am on ESPN.
Matt Williams Becomes Third American Manager in KBO History
Matt Williams played 16 seasons in the MLB, winning a world series title with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, before starting his coaching career in 2010.
Williams’s single manager position was with the Washington Nationals for only one season. This time he leaves the Oakland A’s coaching staff to run the Kia Tigers from the dugout.
The Tigers are recognized as the Yankees of Korean Baseball. They are the most decorated and recognizable team in the KBO.
For Williams, this opportunity comes with some pressure because the Tigers haven’t won a KBO title since 2017 and 2009 before that. Williams understands he is the outsider of the bunch and chose a staff to help him bridge cultural gaps between him and his players.
I’m the foreigner. I’m the one that necessarily doesn’t belong. I have to look at it that way. I have to work overtime to try to get to know the guys, get to know the players. — Kia Tigers’ Manager, Matt Williams, via Associated Press
Williams has a lineup that includes foreign players Aaron Brooks and Preston Tucker. Tucker leads the KBO in RBIs while batting .429 at the plate. He also has an MVP pitcher in Hyeon-Jong Yang.
The league’s highest-paid manager hasn’t been able to find a consistent rhythm for his new team, currently fifth in the standing at 8–7.
When Will KBO Fans Return To the Stadiums?
The KBO is known for its super engaging crowd and fan experience, but the league has to play in empty stadiums until further notice.
COVID-19 cases have decreased in South Korea, and kids have started to go back to school. With kids in school, the KBO believes it is a good sign life is getting back to normal and will keep a close eye on how schools transition back to normalcy.
The KBO is the first league to resume amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Players are tested regularly, and so far, KBO’s decision to play ball has been a success. If they can solve the problem of getting fans back into stadiums, it could be a blueprint for other leagues around the world.
