Ahn Ji-man Calls for Measured Punishment in Lotte Giants Gambling Scandal

Former South Korean professional baseball player Ahn Ji-man has voiced his opinion on the recent gambling controversy involving players from the Lotte Giants. Ahn Ji-man urged for disciplinary action but cautioned against excessively lengthy suspensions that could prematurely end players’ careers.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, ‘Ji-Man Ahn TV,’ on February 23, 2026, Ahn Ji-man stated, “I hope that players will be disciplined as they should be, but baseball can continue.” He emphasized the significant impact of lengthy bans, adding, “A year is a exceptionally big time for players.” He believes that punishments should focus on instilling awareness and preventing future occurrences rather than imposing career-ending penalties. Source: The Chosun Ilbo

Ahn Ji-man’s Own Experience with Disciplinary Action

Ahn Ji-man’s comments approach with the perspective of someone who has faced disciplinary action himself. In 2016, he was released from the Samsung Lions due to his involvement in operating an illegal sports betting website. Source: Wikipedia This experience likely informs his stance on the importance of proportionate punishment.

Career Highlights

Ahn Ji-man was drafted by the Samsung Lions in the 2nd round of the 2002 KBO Draft and debuted in 2003. Throughout his career, he established himself as one of the top relief pitchers in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). He accumulated 60 wins, 35 losses, and 773 strikeouts over 593 games. Source: The Chosun Ilbo He also represented South Korea in the Asian Games in 2010, and 2014. Source: Wikipedia

Recent Gambling Allegations and Investigation

The current controversy centers around allegations of gambling by Lotte Giants players during their training camp in Taiwan. The club is currently investigating footage from a PC bang (internet cafe) related to the allegations. Source: The Chosun Ilbo Similar allegations involving players from the Samsung Lions, including Lim Chang-yong and Oh Seung-hwan, surfaced in 2015. Source: The Chosun Ilbo

Ahn Ji-man’s call for balanced disciplinary measures highlights the ongoing debate surrounding gambling and its consequences within Korean professional baseball.