Lotte Giants: The Passionate Powerhouse of Busan Baseball
The Lotte Giants are more than just a professional baseball team; they are a cultural symbol of Busan, South Korea. As a prominent member of the KBO League, the Giants are owned by the Lotte Corporation and are renowned for having some of the most fervent supporters in all of professional sports. Often referred to as the Busan Seagulls—a nod to the official bird of their home city—the team is synonymous with the electric atmosphere of the stadium and a rich history of competitive play.
From their early days as an amateur squad to becoming a professional mainstay, the Giants have shaped the landscape of Korean baseball through legendary players and record-breaking attendance.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1975 (Amateur); 1982 (Professional).
- Home City: Busan, South Korea.
- Primary Stadium: Sajik Baseball Stadium.
- Korean Series Titles: 1984, 1992.
- Attendance Record: Highest single-season attendance in any South Korean sports league (2009).
- Retired Numbers: 10 (Lee Dae-ho) and 11 (Choi Dong-won).
The Journey of the Giants: From Origins to Glory
Founding and Early Professional Years
The team began its journey on May 6, 1975, when Lotte Confectionery established them as an amateur team under the Korea Baseball Association in Seoul. In February 1982, the club transitioned to the professional ranks and relocated to Busan, where they have remained ever since. Their professional debut took place on March 28, 1982, at Gudeok Baseball Stadium, where they secured a dominant 14–2 victory over the Haitai Tigers.
The Golden Era of the 1980s
The 1984 season stands as a landmark in franchise history. The Giants captured their first Korean Series title by defeating the Samsung Lions 4–3. This victory was fueled by the legendary performance of Choi Dong-won, a dominant pitcher who earned the regular season MVP. In an extraordinary feat of endurance, Choi pitched 40 innings across ten days during the 1984 Korean Series, appearing in five of the seven games.
Evolution Through the 1990s and 2000s
The Giants continued to be a force in the 1990s, returning to the Korean Series in 1995 and 1999, though they fell short of the title in both instances. The early 2000s proved challenging, with the team finishing in last place for four consecutive years between 2001 and 2004. This period also saw the tragic loss of manager Kim Myung-seong to a heart attack in 2001.
A turning point occurred in 2007 when the Giants hired Jerry Royster. Royster made history as the first non-Korean manager to lead a professional club in South Korea, successfully guiding the team to the playoffs in each of his three seasons (2008–2010).
Fan Culture and Record-Breaking Popularity
The Lotte Giants are widely regarded as one of the most popular teams in the KBO. Their fan base is legendary for its scale and passion. In 1991, they became the first Korean team to draw over one million spectators in a single season. This trend peaked in 2009, when the Giants set an all-time record with 1,380,018 home attendees—a mark that remains the highest for any single season in any South Korean sports league.
The team's identity is deeply tied to the song "Busan Seagulls" by Moon Seung-jae, which serves as the primary fight song and echoes through Sajik Baseball Stadium during home games.
Franchise Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| League | KBO League (1982–present) |
| Ownership | Lotte Corporation |
| Current Manager | Kim Tae-hyoung |
| Home Ballparks | Sajik Baseball Stadium, Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium |
| Team Colors | White, Red, Sky Blue, Navy Blue |
| Mascots | Noori, Ahra, Pini, Win-G |
Legends of the Game
The Giants have honored two iconic figures by retiring their jersey numbers. Number 11 was retired for Choi Dong-won, the "iron arm" whose dominance in the 1980s defined the team's early success. Number 10 was retired in 2022 in honor of Lee Dae-ho, a powerhouse hitter who dedicated over 15 seasons to the franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stadiums do the Lotte Giants use?
The team primarily plays at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, where they have been based since 1986. They also utilize the Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium as a home venue since 2014.
Why are the Lotte Giants called the "Busan Seagulls"?
They are called the Busan Seagulls because the seagull is the official bird of Busan, and the team's main fight song is titled "Busan Seagulls."
How many Korean Series championships have they won?
The Lotte Giants have won the Korean Series twice, achieving championships in 1984 and 1992.
Who was the first foreign manager of the Lotte Giants?
Jerry Royster became the first non-Korean manager in the KBO when he took the helm of the Giants from 2008 to 2010.
What is the team's most significant attendance record?
In 2009, the Lotte Giants drew 1,380,018 spectators, which is the highest single-season attendance record for any sports league in South Korea.