TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Lin Che-Hsuan (林哲瑄), Taiwan's veteran outfielder and former Major League Baseball (MLB) player, stunned the baseball world Thursday (Sept. 11) by announcing his retirement from professional baseball at season's end. The 34-year-old star's decision concludes an illustrious 11-year career in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL, 中華職棒), Taiwan's top professional baseball league. Lin's unexpected retirement announcement marks a pivotal moment in Taiwan's baseball landscape, ending the career of one of the island's most accomplished international players.
The Fubon Guardians, Lin's current team, announced he will hold an official retirement press conference Sunday (Sept. 15) to address fans and media directly. The team plans to broadcast this emotional farewell live on its official Twitch streaming channel for widespread accessibility. Lin achieved historic status as Taiwan's eighth Major League Baseball player, showcasing his talents across three prestigious American franchises: the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers during his MLB career.
Lin's CPBL journey began triumphantly in 2015 when the EDA Rhinos selected him as their first overall draft pick, immediately leading the franchise to a championship while capturing the Taiwan Series Most Valuable Player award. Since 2017, he has captained the Fubon Guardians with distinction, compiling impressive career statistics across 799 games: a solid .280 batting average, 771 hits, 64 home runs, 342 runs batted in, and 109 stolen bases. These numbers reflect his consistent excellence and versatility as both an offensive threat and defensive leader.
Lin developed his exceptional skills during his formative years in Tainan, Taiwan's historic southern city, where his high school and college baseball career established his reputation for outstanding speed, defensive excellence, and batting prowess. He proudly represented Chinese Taipei in numerous international competitions, bringing honor to Taiwan on the global stage. Baseball enthusiasts across Taiwan eagerly anticipate his retirement press conference, expecting revelations about his future endeavors and reflections on the remarkable legacy he leaves in Taiwanese professional baseball. ◼