The KBO League Golden Glove Award is an award given out annually by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) to the best overall player at each position in the KBO League. It is also commonly known as the KBO Golden Gloves. The award was established in KBO League's inaugural year in 1982.
Selection format
Each year, one award is given to the best player at each position, as voted by baseball writers, analysts and broadcasters. (In the KBO's first year, 1982, the award was given exclusively for defensive prowess, similar to the MLB Gold Glove Award). All outfielders are grouped for three outfielder awards and designated hitters have been included since 1984. League leaders in major offensive and pitching categories earn automatic nominations for the award. Other position players have to appear in a minimal number of defensive innings at the position, while starting pitchers have to appear in sufficient innings to qualify for the ERA title (i.e. 144 innings or average of 1 per game) to be nominated. Relievers can qualify by recording at least 10 wins, 30 saves or 30 holds.
Award winners
Records
Most total awards:
- Lee Seung-yuop (). 10 times (1B: 1997âÂÂ2003 | DH: 2012, 2014âÂÂ2015)
- Yang Eui-ji (). 10 times (C: 2014âÂÂ2016, 2018âÂÂ2020, 2022âÂÂ23, 2025 | DH: 2021)
- Choi Jeong (). 8 times (3B: 2011âÂÂ2013, 2016âÂÂ2017, 2019, 2021âÂÂ2022)
- Yang Joon-hyuk (ìÂÂì¤ÂÃÂÂ; æ¢ÂÃ¥ÂÂ赫). 8 times (1B: 2004 | OF: 1996âÂÂ1997, 2003 | DH: 1998, 2001, 2006âÂÂ2007)
- Han Dae-hwa (ÃÂÂëÂÂÃÂÂ; éÂÂ大åÂÂ). 8 times (3B: 1986âÂÂ1991, 1993âÂÂ1994)
Most awarded pitcher:
- Sun Dong-yol (ì ëÂÂì´; 宣éÂÂ
çÂÂ). 6 times (1986, 1988âÂÂ1991, 1993)
Most awarded catcher:
- Yang Eui-ji (). 9 times (2014âÂÂ2016, 2018âÂÂ2020, 2022âÂÂ23, 2025)
Most awarded first baseman:
- Kim Seong-han (ê¹Âì±ÃÂÂ; éÂÂÃ¥ÂÂæ¼¢). 7 times (1985âÂÂ1991)
- Lee Seung-yuop (ì´ì¹ì½; æÂÂæÂ¿çÂÂ). 7 times (1997âÂÂ2003)
Most awarded second baseman:
Most awarded third baseman:
- Han Dae-hwa (ÃÂÂëÂÂÃÂÂ; éÂÂ大åÂÂ). 8 times (1986âÂÂ1991, 1993âÂÂ1994)
- Choi Jeong (). 8 times (2011âÂÂ2013, 2016âÂÂ2017, 2019, 2021âÂÂ2022)
Most awarded shortstop:
- Kim Jae-bak (ê¹Âì¬ë°Â; éÂÂå¨åÂÂ). 5 times (1983âÂÂ1986, 1989)
- Park Jin-man (ë°Âì§Âë§Â; æÂ´é®è¬). 5 times (2000âÂÂ2001, 2004, 2006âÂÂ2007)
Most awarded outfielder:
- Lee Byung-kyu (ì´ë³Âê·Â; æÂÂç³åÂÂ). 6 times (1997, 1999âÂÂ2001, 2004âÂÂ2005)
Most awarded designated hitter:
- Kim Ki-tai (ê¹Â기ÃÂÂ; éÂÂæÂÂæ³°). 4 times (1992âÂÂ1994, 2004)
- Yang Joon-hyuk (). 4 times (1998, 2001, 2006âÂÂ2007)
- Hong Sung-heon (ÃÂÂì±ÃÂÂ; æ´ªæÂ§çÂÂ). 4 times (2008âÂÂ2011)
Oldest Golden Glove Award:
- Choi Hyoung-woo(ìµÂÃÂÂì°;å´Âç¯å®Â).41 years, 11 days. 23 days (2025)
Foreign-born award winners
Each KBO team is allowed to sign up to three foreign-born players (two pitchers and one position player). The following is a list of foreign players that have won the KBO Golden Gloves over the years:
- Félix José (1999, outfielder)
- Dan Rohrmeier (1999, designated hitter)
- Tyrone Woods (2000, designated hitter)
- Tilson Brito (2002, shortstop)
- Cliff Brumbaugh (2004, outfielder)
- Jay Davis (2005, outfielder)
- Larry Sutton (2005, outfielder)
- Danny Rios (2007, pitcher)
- Karim GarcÃÂa (2008, outfielder)
- Aquilino López (2009, pitcher)
- Andy Van Hekken (2014, pitcher)
- Eric Hacker (2015, pitcher)
- Eric Thames (2015âÂÂ2016, first baseman)
- Yamaico Navarro (2015, second baseman)
- Dustin Nippert (2016, pitcher)
- Roger Bernadina (2017, outfielder)
- Josh Lindblom (2018âÂÂ2019, pitcher)
- Mel Rojas Jr. (2019âÂÂ2020, 2024 outfielder)
- Jerry Sands (2019, outfielder)
- José Miguel Fernández (2019, designated hitter)
- Raúl Alcántara (2020, pitcher)
- Ariel Miranda (2021, pitcher)
- José Pirela (2022, outfielder)
- Austin Dean (2023âÂÂ2024, first baseman)
- Kyle Hart (2024, pitcher)
- VÃÂctor Reyes (2024-2025, outfielder)
- Cody Ponce (2025, pitcher)
- Lewin DÃÂaz (2025, first baseman)
See also
References
External links