TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's most prolific home run hitter will soon hang up his cleats. The WeiChuan Dragons (味全龍隊) have scheduled a press conference for Monday (March 31) to formally announce the retirement of Lin Chih-sheng (林智勝) and unveil plans for his farewell game. The 41-year-old slugger will conclude his illustrious career after the current season, bringing to a close more than two decades of professional play. When asked about his feelings toward retirement, Lin displayed characteristic composure, noting that baseball has been his constant companion since childhood. He has been playing since he was 9 years old, he remarked, suggesting a sense of fulfillment rather than regret.
WeiChuan Dragons general manager Ding Chung-wei (丁仲緯) confirmed that Lin's ceremonial final game will be held at the team's northern Taiwan home stadium, providing local fans an opportunity to bid farewell to the beloved veteran. For Lin, the occasion is less about pageantry than connection with supporters who have followed his journey. What matters most to him is having the fans there, he stated simply. Lin's professional odyssey began in 2004, taking him through three of Taiwan's most prominent baseball organizations: the Lamigo Monkeys (Lamigo桃猿), Chinatrust Brothers (中信兄弟), and finally the WeiChuan Dragons (味全龍), where he will conclude his storied career.
Lin's departure will leave an indelible mark on Taiwan's baseball record books. His career statistics tell the story of consistent excellence: 1,689 games played, 304 home runs — a milestone that earned him the undisputed title of "home run king" in the Chinese Professional Baseball League. No other player in league history has reached the 300-homer plateau. Lin's run production has been similarly impressive, with 1,231 RBIs placing him second all-time behind only Chang Tai-shan (張泰山). His career hit total of 1,846 ranks fourth in league history, cementing his legacy as one of Taiwan's most complete offensive players.