ElLotRasico Meaning: LG vs Lotte in KBO

From June 15th to 16th
The baseball game between the LG Twins and the Lotte Giants was incredibly intense.

There's a term used to describe this rivalry: 'Ellotico'.
Let's take a look at what it means.

Meaning of Ellotico

It's an extreme term used to describe a situation where the entire world is divided into two opposing sides.
It's a name given to the fiercely competitive games between the LG Twins and the Lotte Giants.

'Ellotico' is derived from 'El Clasico,' the name of the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona in professional soccer.

June 15th-16th, 2024

Both teams combined for 58 hits (32 for LG, 26 for Lotte) over the two days, with constant back-and-forth action.
Both Lotte and LG used all their pitchers. On the 15th, Lotte used 6 and LG used 9.
On the 16th, both teams used 6 pitchers each. On the 15th, Lotte, led by Na Seung-yeop's game-winning hit, secured a victory.
On the 16th, LG took the win with Shin Min-jae's walk-off sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, resulting in a split of the victories.
In the three-game series, LG emerged victorious with a 2-1 record.

History of Ellotico

October 17, 2014

The final game between LG and Lotte took place at Sajik Baseball Stadium.
Lotte had already been eliminated from playoff contention, but the game was crucial for LG.
At that time, LG was in 4th place, but only 1 game behind the SK Wyverns.
Coincidentally, SK was also playing against Nexen.
If LG stumbled against Lotte in the final game, it could have led to their elimination from the 2014 postseason in favor of SK.
LG initially took the lead, but Lotte gradually staged a comeback.
Despite a shaky performance, LG secured their spot in the 2014 KBO Postseason when SK ultimately failed to defeat Nexen in their game.
However, LG lost the final game to Lotte with a score of 5-8.

June 27, 2017

A thrilling battle unfolded at Sajik Baseball Stadium between LG and Lotte, extending to the 12th inning.
The game remained tied until the 9th inning, leading to extra innings. In the 10th, LG scored 5 runs, but Lotte quickly countered with 5 runs of their own to prevent defeat and push the game into the 11th.
However, neither team could score in subsequent innings. In the bottom of the 12th, Lotte secured a walk-off victory.
The extended game went past midnight, pushing it into a second day, making it another 'all-nighter' game.

October 3, 2017

The final game between LG and Lotte at Sajik Baseball Stadium.
This time, the roles were reversed from 2014. LG had already been eliminated, while Lotte had secured their spot in the 2017 KBO Postseason by securing a top-4 finish.
Lotte was in a very advantageous position, ahead of NC in 4th place. Their scenario was simple: they just needed to avoid losing this game.
Lotte took an early 2-0 lead, but LG tied the score in the top of the 7th inning. Lotte responded with 4 runs in the bottom of the 7th and held on to win.
Ultimately, Lotte avoided a loss to LG, securing a 3rd-place finish and earning a coveted spot in the KBO Postseason after a long absence.

September 19, 2018

In the top of the 2nd inning of the game between Lotte and LG, with a runner on first, Jung Ju-hyun committed an error, putting runners on 1st and 2nd.
In the top of the 8th, Lotte took a commanding 11-6 lead due to an LG error where no one was covering 2nd base.
In the bottom of the 8th, Lee Chun-woong hit a line drive foul ball that the catcher missed.
In the top of the 10th, a throw to 2nd base during a stolen base attempt went wide.

June 12, 2019

In the bottom of the 10th inning of a game between the Lotte Giants and LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, with runners on 1st and 3rd, Oh Ji-hwan stepped up to bat. The count was 2 strikes and 2 outs, meaning one more strike would end the inning without a run and send it to the 11th. Oh Ji-hwan swung and missed, seemingly resulting in a strikeout. However, the catcher made an error, dropping the ball, giving Oh Ji-hwan a chance to reach 1st base. Taking advantage of the error, Oh Ji-hwan ran to first, and the runner on 3rd also attempted to score. The catcher hastily threw to first base and missed, and in a twist of fate, the strikeout turned into a game-winning run. This was a first-time incident in the history of the KBO league.

2021

The final game of the season between the LG Twins and Lotte Giants. LG had already secured their spot in the 2021 KBO Postseason by securing 3rd place. Lotte, on the other hand, was eliminated from playoff contention. LG still had a slim chance of finishing in 2nd place if they won and both the KT Wiz and Samsung Lions lost. LG took the lead early with a bases-loaded walk, but Lotte hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 7th and ultimately won 4-2. LG was once again thwarted, and their hopes of a 2nd-place finish were dashed.

Significance of El Clasico

El Clasico is considered one of the most popular derby matches in sports history.
This match can be described as a battle for the pride of Spanish football, transcending a simple win or loss.
The rivalry between the two teams boasts a long and rich history and tradition, captivating and entertaining football fans everywhere.

History of El Clasico

El Clasico has a history spanning over a century, with the first match taking place in 1902.
Both teams have won numerous championships in La Liga and European competitions, maintaining their rivalry throughout the years.
This match not only draws attention from Spanish football fans but also from football enthusiasts around the globe.

Characteristics of El Clasico

The match is known for the passionate cheering both inside and outside the stadium, showcasing the fervor of the fans.
The presence of star players from both teams enhances the excitement of the match.
Recently, there have been discussions about fairness related to the introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee), but El Clasico continues to capture global attention.
El Clasico represents the pinnacle of Spanish football, a clash of titans. With its long and storied history, this match continues to provide excitement and entertainment for football fans worldwide.