List of KBO League seasons

Last updated

This is a list of KBO League seasons, providing the final ranking of teams in the KBO League at the end of each season, based on the final regular-season standings plus postseason play including the Korea Series. Sections below are divided based on the number of teams in the league and the season format:

Contents

No. of Teams
Season format

From 1982 to 1988, the regular season was divided into two — a spring season and a fall season — with a first-half pennant winner and a latter-half pennant winner. In 1999–2000, the KBO had two divisions of four teams each — the Dream League and the Magic League. From 1989 to 1998, and from 2001 onward, the KBO featured a single division.

1982–1985: 6 teams, 2 half-seasons

The league began play in 1982 with six teams. There were no changes to the league through 1985, except for the Sammi Superstars being renamed as the Chungbo Pintos that season.

YearHalf-season123456
1982 1st OB Bears Samsung Lions MBC Chungyong Haitai Tigers Lotte Giants Sammi Superstars
2ndSamsung LionsOB BearsMBC ChungyongLotte GiantsHaitai TigersSammi Superstars
OverallOB BearsSamsung LionsMBC ChungyongHaitai TigersLotte GiantsSammi Superstars
1983 1stHaitai TigersSammi SuperstarsMBC ChungyongLotte GiantsSamsung LionsOB Bears
2ndMBC ChungyongSammi SuperstarsSamsung LionsHaitai TigersOB BearsLotte Giants
OverallHaitai TigersMBC ChungyongSammi SuperstarsSamsung LionsOB BearsLotte Giants
1984 1stSamsung LionsOB BearsMBC ChungyongLotte GiantsHaitai TigersSammi Superstars
2ndLotte GiantsHaitai TigersMBC ChungyongOB BearsSamsung LionsSammi Superstars
OverallLotte GiantsSamsung LionsOB BearsMBC ChungyongHaitai TigersSammi Superstars
1985 1stSamsung LionsOB BearsHaitai TigersLotte GiantsMBC Chungyong Chungbo Pintos
2ndSamsung LionsLotte GiantsHaitai TigersMBC ChungyongOB BearsChungbo Pintos
OverallSamsung LionsLotte GiantsHaitai TigersOB BearsMBC ChungyongChungbo Pintos

1986–1988: 7 teams, 2 half-seasons

The league expanded to seven teams in 1986 with the addition of the Binggrae Eagles. In 1988, the Chungbo Pintos were renamed the Pacific Dolphins.

YearHalf-season1234567
1986 1stSamsung LionsHaitai TigersLotte GiantsMBC ChungyongOB BearsChungbo Pintos Binggrae Eagles
2ndOB BearsHaitai TigersMBC ChungyongSamsung LionsLotte GiantsBinggrae EaglesChungbo Pintos
OverallHaitai TigersSamsung LionsMBC ChungyongOB BearsLotte GiantsChungbo PintosBinggrae Eagles
1987 1stSamsung LionsOB BearsHaitai TigersLotte GiantsMBC ChungyongBinggrae EaglesChungbo Pintos
2ndSamsung LionsHaitai TigersLotte GiantsOB BearsMBC ChungyongBinggrae EaglesChungbo Pintos
OverallHaitai TigersSamsung LionsLotte GiantsOB BearsMBC ChungyongBinggrae EaglesChungbo Pintos
1988 1stHaitai TigersBinggrae EaglesOB BearsLotte GiantsSamsung Lions Pacific Dolphins MBC Chungyong
2ndHaitai TigersSamsung LionsBinggrae EaglesLotte GiantsOB BearsMBC ChungyongPacific Dolphins
OverallHaitai TigersBinggrae EaglesLotte GiantsSamsung LionsOB BearsMBC ChungyongPacific Dolphins

1989–1990: 7 teams

The league discontinued half-season schedules for the 1989 season, while maintaining the same teams. In 1990, MBC Chungyong was renamed LG Twins.

Year1234567
1989 Haitai TigersBinggrae EaglesPacific DolphinsSamsung LionsOB BearsMBC ChungyongLotte Giants
1990 LG Twins Samsung LionsHaitai TigersBinggrae EaglesPacific DolphinsLotte GiantsOB Bears

1991–1998: 8 teams

The league expanded to eight teams with the addition of the Ssangbangwool Raiders in 1991. In 1994, the Binggrae Eagles were renamed the Hanwha Eagles, and in 1996, the Pacific Dolphins were renamed the Hyundai Unicorns.

Year12345678
1991 Haitai TigersBinggrae EaglesSamsung LionsLotte GiantsPacific DolphinsLG Twins Ssangbangwool Raiders OB Bears
1992 Lotte GiantsBinggrae EaglesHaitai TigersSamsung LionsOB BearsPacific DolphinsLG TwinsSsangbangwool Raiders
1993 Haitai TigersSamsung LionsOB BearsLG TwinsBinggrae EaglesLotte GiantsSsangbangwool RaidersPacific Dolphins
1994 LG TwinsPacific Dolphins Hanwha Eagles Haitai TigersSamsung LionsLotte GiantsOB BearsSsangbangwool Raiders
1995 OB BearsLotte GiantsLG TwinsHaitai TigersSamsung LionsHanwha EaglesPacific DolphinsSsangbangwool Raiders
1996 Haitai Tigers Hyundai Unicorns Ssangbangwool RaidersHanwha EaglesLotte GiantsSamsung LionsLG TwinsOB Bears
1997 Haitai TigersLG TwinsSsangbangwool RaidersSamsung LionsOB BearsHyundai UnicornsHanwha EaglesLotte Giants
1998 Hyundai UnicornsLG TwinsSamsung LionsOB BearsHaitai TigersSsangbangwool RaidersHanwha EaglesLotte Giants

1999–2000: 8 teams, 2 divisions

In 1999, the OB Bears were renamed the Doosan Bears. The Ssangbangwool Raiders dissolved after the 1999 season, and were replaced in 2000 by SK Wyverns. During these two seasons, the league operated with two divisions of four teams each.

DivisionDream LeagueMagic League
Year12341234
1999 Doosan Bears Lotte GiantsHyundai UnicornsHaitai TigersSamsung LionsHanwha EaglesLG TwinsSsangbangwool Raiders
2000 Hyundai UnicornsDoosan BearsSamsung LionsHaitai TigersLG TwinsLotte GiantsHanwha Eagles SK Wyverns

2001–2012: 8 teams

The league discontinued use of divisions in 2001. The Hyundai Unicorns dissolved after the 2007 season, and were replaced in 2008 by the Woori Heroes. Due to issues with sponsorship, the team was known simply as "Heroes" for part of that season and all of the 2009 season, then became the Nexen Heroes in 2010.

Year12345678
2001 Doosan BearsSamsung LionsHyundai UnicornsHanwha EaglesKIA TigersLG TwinsSK WyvernsLotte Giants
2002 Samsung LionsLG TwinsKIA TigersHyundai UnicornsDoosan BearsSK WyvernsHanwha EaglesLotte Giants
2003 Hyundai UnicornsSK WyvernsKIA TigersSamsung LionsHanwha EaglesLG TwinsDoosan BearsLotte Giants
2004 Hyundai UnicornsSamsung LionsDoosan BearsKIA TigersSK WyvernsLG TwinsHanwha EaglesLotte Giants
2005 Samsung LionsDoosan BearsSK WyvernsHanwha EaglesLotte GiantsLG TwinsHyundai UnicornsKIA Tigers
2006 Samsung LionsHanwha EaglesHyundai UnicornsKIA TigersDoosan BearsSK WyvernsLotte GiantsLG Twins
2007 SK WyvernsDoosan BearsHanwha EaglesSamsung LionsLG TwinsHyundai UnicornsLotte GiantsKIA Tigers
2008 SK WyvernsDoosan BearsLotte GiantsSamsung LionsHanwha EaglesKIA Tigers Heroes LG Twins
2009 KIA TigersSK WyvernsDoosan BearsLotte GiantsSamsung LionsHeroesLG TwinsHanwha Eagles
2010 SK WyvernsSamsung LionsDoosan BearsLotte GiantsKIA TigersLG Twins Nexen Heroes Hanwha Eagles
2011 Samsung LionsSK WyvernsLotte GiantsKIA TigersDoosan BearsHanwha EaglesLG TwinsNexen Heroes
2012 Samsung LionsSK WyvernsDoosan BearsLotte GiantsKIA TigersNexen HeroesLG TwinsHanwha Eagles

2013–2014: 9 teams

The league expanded to nine teams in 2013 with the addition of NC Dinos.

Year123456789
2013 Samsung LionsDoosan BearsLG TwinsNexen HeroesLotte GiantsSK Wyverns NC Dinos KIA TigersHanwha Eagles
2014 Samsung LionsNexen HeroesNC DinosLG TwinsSK WyvernsDoosan BearsLotte GiantsKIA TigersHanwha Eagles

2015–present: 10 teams

The league expanded to 10 teams in 2015 with the addition of KT Wiz. In 2019, the Nexen Heroes we renamed as the Kiwoom Heroes, and in 2021, SK Wyverns were renamed as SSG Landers.

Year12345678910
2015 Doosan BearsSamsung LionsNC DinosNexen HeroesSK WyvernsHanwha EaglesKIA TigersLotte GiantsLG Twins KT Wiz
2016 Doosan BearsNC DinosNexen HeroesLG TwinsKIA TigersSK WyvernsHanwha EaglesLotte GiantsSamsung LionsKT Wiz
2017 KIA TigersDoosan BearsLotte GiantsNC DinosSK WyvernsLG TwinsNexen HeroesHanwha EaglesSamsung LionsKT Wiz
2018 SK WyvernsDoosan BearsHanwha EaglesNexen HeroesKIA TigersSamsung LionsLotte GiantsLG TwinsKT WizNC Dinos
2019 Doosan Bears Kiwoom Heroes SK WyvernsLG TwinsNC DinosKT WizKIA TigersSamsung LionsHanwha EaglesLotte Giants
2020 NC DinosDoosan BearsKT WizLG TwinsKiwoom HeroesKIA TigersLotte GiantsSamsung LionsSK WyvernsHanwha Eagles
2021 KT WizDoosan BearsSamsung LionsLG TwinsKiwoom Heroes SSG Landers NC DinosLotte GiantsKIA TigersHanwha Eagles
2022 KT WizDoosan BearsSamsung LionsLG TwinsKiwoom HeroesSSG LandersNC DinosLotte GiantsKIA TigersHanwha Eagles
2023 KT WIzDoosan BearsSamsung LionsLG TwinsKiwoom HeroesSSG LandersNC DinosLotte GiantsKIA TigersHanwha Eagles
2024 In progress

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