TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan achieved a historic victory over Japan, defeating them 4-0 in the WBSC Premier 12 championship game on Sunday (Nov. 25), ending Japan's 27-game winning streak. This triumph marked a new chapter in Taiwanese baseball history.
Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲), the team captain, emerged as the media's focal point with his outstanding performance. Chen delivered a pivotal three-run homer in the fifth inning, earning the MVP, best batting average at .632, best outfielder, and best defensive player awards.
He expressed his emotions after the game, shedding tears of joy and stating, "This championship is a miracle. As long as you have a dream and work hard to pursue it, you can definitely achieve it."
At 30, Chen plays for the Unilions (統一獅) in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL, 中華職業棒球大聯盟) and has been instrumental in Taiwan's advancement to the Super Round. Despite a challenging year, including a loss in the Taiwan Series (台灣大賽) to the Chinatrust Brothers (中信兄弟), Chen overcame adversity and back pain to shine in the tournament.
Initially doubted by fans, his performance silenced critics. Known for his resemblance to actor Nicky Wu (吳奇隆) and fluency in Mandarin and Japanese, Chen captivates over 120,000 Instagram followers. Chen plans to dedicate the championship to his wife and his late parents. His name will forever resonate with Taiwanese baseball fans, even as his playing career eventually concludes.