Heroes vs Tigers, Baseball in Seoul

I've been to a half-dozen FC Seoul games this spring, and finally made it a baseball game on Friday night, along with friend Adam and new friend Ian. This is the Heroes third season in Gocheok Sky Dome and their first season under the corporate sponsorship of Kiwoom, a financial services company. Most Korean baseball teams are outright owned by a company, such as Hanhwa Eagles or Samsung Lions, but the Heroes are owned by a syndicate which sells the naming rights (though they remain Heroes). This game was against the KIA Tigers, from Gwangju, who are the most successful franchise with 11 titles.


The closest subway stop is Guil station on line 1, exit 2, but the pre- and post-game action is on the other side of the stadium, which in the last year has started to lay claim to the baseball fans:


This is where you'll find the hofs and restaurants.


The game was a barn-burner, with a final score putting the Heroes up 8 to 4, with an epic fifth inning of five runs capped by that most exciting of things in baseball, a slider at home called safe!

But not all the action is on the field at a Korean baseball game! The fans truly deserve the moniker "fanatics" and they are led by actual cheerleaders.


The Heroes mascot is 턱돌이, Mr. Stone Jaw, who is by turns funny and formidable. Here is a picture from last night, and below it one from around 2015 when they were still in Mok-dong stadium. I am wearing a rare Heroes "h" cap, only available back when they were between sponsors and known as the "Seoul Heroes". The only other head you ever see one on is 턱돌이's.


Heroes win!