Leading KS master for 7 consecutive years higher than 3rd place → The giant of advance dreams of a new history for the first time in 44 years

Aug 04, 2025

Lotte-Kium match held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 3rd. Lotte players, who won 9-3 and decorated three consecutive weekend games with a winning series, are celebrating their victory. Gocheok = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.8.3/

Lotte-Kium match held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 3rd. Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung, who won the weekend's three consecutive games with a winning series, is greeting his fans. Gocheok = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.8.3/

"3rd place is not the end. You can go higher."

This is the ambition of Lotte Giants manager Kim Tae-hyung when he finished third in the first half.

At that time, rival teams such as KIA Tigers, KT Wiz, and SSG Landers, which climbed to second place and slipped, were closely chasing. Analysts say he has maintained his position in the top three despite the ups and downs, including injuries to key players.

However, coach Kim Tae-hyung had a different opinion. While celebrating the achievement of keeping third place in a lot of difficulties, "Now that the injured players are back and are fully equipped, it is worth looking up." You have to ride it when the flow comes. Rather than staying in third place, I want to go up,' he said, expressing his true intention of advancing to the Korean Series for the seventh consecutive year.

Lotte-Kium match held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 3rd. Park Se-woong, who pitched well with three runs until the seventh inning, is welcoming the fielders. Gocheok = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.8.3/

The same goes for Park Se-woong's thoughts. Park Se-woong got off to a good start with eight consecutive starts at the beginning of the season, but later fell into a slump, darkening Lotte's season outlook.

However, he continued his good pitching in three consecutive games at the start of the second half, renewing the atmosphere.

Lotte regained its momentum as foreign ace Gamboa led in front and the native trio of Park Se-woong, Na Kyun-an and Lee Min-seok held out well. Kiwoom Heroes-KIA Tigers (Sweep) and NC Dinos-Kium have achieved four consecutive winning series, continuing their rise.

Lotte's last fall baseball was in 2017, eight years ago. At that time, Lotte, which finished the regular season in third place with an explosive rise in the second half, lost to the NC Dinos in the semi-playoff.

As a result, the only players who have experienced autumn baseball at Lotte are middle-aged and veterans who are in charge of pitching and hitting, such as Jeon Joon-woo, Jung Hoon and Kim Won-joong. Park Se-woong belongs to the youngest axis.

A game between Kiwoom and Lotte at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 24th. Lotte Gamboa comes down the mound after pitching in the sixth inning. Gocheok = Reporter Song Jeong-heon @sportschosun.com/2025.07.24/

Players who are the main players of the team, such as Yoon Dong-hee, Ko Seung-min, Son Ho-young, Choi Jun-yong, Lee Min-seok, and Hong Min-ki, are bound to be caught a little. However, right after winning against Kiwoom in Gocheok on the 3rd, Park Se-woong said "There are still a lot of seasons left." Now, it is time to focus on the regular season rather than the fall baseball season."

"In 2017, I experienced the postseason too young. I think I know more about baseball now than I did then. I want to win one more game in the regular season and face autumn baseball at a higher position than third place."

Already, there is a five-game difference from the mid-ranking competition. On the other hand, it is four games apart from Hanwha Eagles-LG, which ranks first and second without a ride. Rather, the lead is closer.

If Lotte achieves second place in the regular season, it will be the first time in 14 years since 2011. In 2011, Lotte was eliminated by the SK Wyverns with two wins and three losses in the series. It is the rest of the season due to the painful injury of Son Ah-seop (Hanwha Eagles) with the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 1, which was a 6-6 tie for Lotte fans.

The match between the KIA Tigers and the Hanwha Eagles at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 1st. Son Ah-seop, who joined Hanwha in a trade, poses in a uniform. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.08.01/

Looking back, Lotte does not have much experience in winning autumn baseball itself. He was frustrated in the semi-playoff for the third consecutive year when he was the former Royster coach from 2008 to 2010. This served as an excuse for former coach Royster to step down despite the absolute support of the fans.

He was also eliminated from the semi-playoff in 2017, the last fall baseball season, and in 2000, just before the dark age of 8888577. In the 21st century, 2012 was the only time the series broke through the semi-playoffs and was eliminated from the playoffs. There is a reason why 1999, when he won the playoff against the Samsung Lions after a bloody battle in Game 7, and reached the last Korean Series in Lotte's history so far, remains a stronger memory.

Lotte has been together since the first year of professional baseball in 1982, but it has never won a regular season yet. If it can top the regular season this year, it will be a new history in 44 years since its foundation. He can also instantly confirm his advance to the Korean Series for the first time in 26 years. There are still 40 games left in Lotte's regular season.

Lotte-Kium match held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 3rd. Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung, who won the weekend's three consecutive games with a winning series, is encouraging the coaching staff. Gocheok = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.8.3/

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.