TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) awarded the First Class Order of Brilliant Star (一等景星勳章) to baseball legend Sadaharu Oh (王貞治) on Thursday (Feb. 26). President Lai said Oh's record-setting 868 career home runs not only represent a world record, but also stand as a shared source of pride for Japan and Taiwan. He praised Oh's lifelong devotion to baseball and his "all-out, one-pitch-at-a-time" spirit, which has inspired generations of fans across the world.
Beginning in 1960, Oh frequently visited Taiwan to coach players. In 1990, he attended the opening game of Taiwan's inaugural professional baseball season and went on to actively promote exchanges between Japanese and Taiwanese professional baseball. In 2023, Oh threw a historic ceremonial first pitch at the Taipei Dome.
Oh expressed in his speech, the hope that Japan and Taiwan would advance together to the United States finals at this year's World Baseball Classic (WBC), helping Asian baseball reach new heights on the global stage. He reflected that baseball had been part of his life since childhood, allowing him to meet countless treasured friends and even compete at Koshien Stadium (阪神甲子園球場). While baseball defined his life, he said it also gave him achievements beyond the sport itself and carried him to where he is today.
Oh expressed heartfelt gratitude for the medal, saying he was so touched that his feelings could hardly be captured in words. He added that, after following Taiwanese baseball for many years, he believes this year's WBC roster is the strongest team Taiwan has ever fielded. He said that in every previous WBC, he had hoped Japan and Taiwan could advance together to the finals in the United States, though that goal had yet to be realized. This time, however, Oh said he is confident that both teams will make it to the final stage together.