What you need to know about the KBO on ESPN
The past two months have been bleak and barren with no professional sports to keep us company. That changes early Tuesday morning as ESPN has reached a deal with the Korea Baseball Organization to broadcast one game a day from the KBO.
First reported by Jee-ho Yu of the Yonhap News Aency and later confirmed by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the first pitch of the KBO is at 1 AM ET Tuesday, May 5th and will feature the NC Dinos take on the Samsung Lions.
It’s not the MLB, but it’s still going to be pretty cool to watch. If you’re not familiar with the KBO, don’t worry, FTW has it covered. Here’s everything you need to know before the first pitch.
Please fill me in on KBO basics!
The KBO was formed in 1982 with six original teams. There are now 10 teams in 8 cities across South Korea. The KBO is the country’s most popular baseball league, and each team plays 144 games in the regular season. The 10 teams play each other 16 times. Games also can not go on indefinitely. In 2009, the league passed a rule limiting regular season play to 12 innings. Playoff games are limited to 15 innings.
What are the teams?
Unlike MLB teams, KBO teams are named after the business that own them. The 10 teams are:
Doosan Bears
Hanwha Eagles
Kia Tigers
Kiwoom Heroes
KT Wiz
LG Twins
Lotte Giants
NC Dinos
Samsung Lions
SK Wyverns
If you want a more detailed breakdown of the teams, try Yahoo’s guide which also notes which teams have ex-MLB players.
How is it different from the MLB
There are significant differences, but overall the KBO features a lot more offense. According to this wonderful summary by the Baseball Brit, there’s a universal designated hitter rule, the top 5 teams qualify for a playoff spot and the top three teams get buys for the opening rounds of the playoffs. Per Yahoo Sports, at the end of 2018 the KBO league-wide batting average was .286, so get ready for
some dingers. If you’re a person that cares a lot about respecting the game, well, I have some bad news for you. The KBO loves bat flips, because bat flips are dope.
I’m a stat nerd, where can I get KBO stats?
Most people seem to dig MyKBOStats but the KBO also keeps stats in English.
What teams are good?
In the 2019 season, the Doosan Bears were the KBO league’s best, along with the SK Wyverns and Kiwoom Heroes.
What team should I root for?
I can not stare into your heart and let you know where it truly beats, but if you like winners start with the Doosan Bears, who are the league’s defending champions. The Kia Tigers have won 11 KBO championships overall, but they look to be in a rebuilding phase, so you may want to skip them.
If you like the underdog that might win, go with the NC Dinos, who, in addition to having a baller name, have won ZERO championships.
If you like some history with your teams, go with the LG Twins, who are one of the OG6 teams of the KBO.
If you’re rooting based purely on jersey design and want a little more ‘Murica in your baseball, try the Hanwha Eagles.
For a combination of cool team name plus a winning record, you gotta pick the the SK Wyverns. For those not up to date on their mythology, a wyvern is a winged two-legged dragon with a barbed tail. Plus, the team finished second in wins last season, so you know they’re gonna be good. It’s a win-win.I have selected my favourite regularly worn jersey for each team to try & help you find your own colours...— Baseball Brit (@BaseballBrit) April 21, 2020
These are in order of championships (see above) so for underdog lovers see the two posts below this! (1/3)
Kia Tigers / Samsung Lions / Doosan Bears / SK Wyverns pic.twitter.com/49fdNoMFPw
