TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Minnesota Twins organization has tapped Chang Tai-shan (張泰山), one of Taiwan's most celebrated baseball icons, to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Target Field during the team's inaugural "Taiwanese Heritage Night" (台灣日) scheduled for Sept. 19. The milestone event represents the first time the Major League Baseball franchise has dedicated a special night to celebrating Taiwan's rich baseball tradition and cultural heritage. Team officials have designed the evening to showcase not only the sporting connections between Taiwan and American baseball but also to feature traditional Taiwanese cultural performances and create meaningful engagement opportunities for the Taiwanese-American community in the Twin Cities region.
Chang's selection for this honor reflects his legendary status in Taiwan's baseball history, where he amassed remarkable career statistics including 2,134 hits, 1,338 Runs Batted In (RBIs), and 289 home runs — numbers that established him as one of the most productive offensive players in Asian baseball history. His storied career includes helping secure three consecutive championships in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL, 中華職棒), Taiwan's top professional baseball organization. Chang's baseball acumen extended into coaching, where he guided the Wei Chuan Dragons (味全龍) to a championship title in 2023. Following that triumph, he transitioned from his role as the Dragons' hitting coach to become "Baseball Director" at the Tinghsin Hote Foundation (頂新和德文教基金會), where he now focuses on developing youth baseball programs and community service initiatives across Taiwan.
To commemorate the special occasion, the Twins organization has produced a collection of limited-edition merchandise that celebrates the intersection of Taiwanese and American baseball cultures. Fans attending the game will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive commemorative T-shirts and baseball caps featuring designs that incorporate elements of Taiwanese baseball iconography. The team has also created a specially designed baseball card depicting Chang's ceremonial first pitch, which will be distributed to attendees as a collector's item. These commemorative offerings represent more than mere souvenirs; they serve as tangible symbols of the Twins organization's recognition of Taiwan's significant contributions to global baseball culture and the growing importance of the Taiwanese-American community in Minnesota. ◼