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Dodgers' Chen Chin-fong flies in for the World Cup

Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Chen Chin-fong (陳金鋒)　returned to Taiwan yesterday, the final addition to Taiwan's roster for the Baseball World Cup.

Chen, who is widely expected to be the first Taiwanese player in the Major Leagues, reported from the Dodger's affiliate in the developmental Arizona Fall League.

Chen is the final one of three Taiwanese playing overseas to report back home, for the first World Cup match against Italy on Nov. 6.

Pitcher Hsu Ming-chien (許銘傑) of the Seibu Lions and infielder Chen Tai-feng (陳大豐) of the Chunichi Dragons reported in after the end of the Japanese professional season.

Chen Chin-fong signed with the Dodgers in January 1999 to become the first Taiwanese player in 24 years to play for a Major League organization.

The 25-year-old outfielder from Tainan caught the attention of the Dodgers when he homered off Dodger starter Chan Ho-park in a game against South Korea at the 1998 Asian Games.

He also hit a record four home runs in four consecutive games in the 1998 World Cup in Italy.

Chen, who is expected to hit in the middle of the order for Taiwan, finished the 2001 season strong after surgery to remove scar tissue in his right shoulder hampered his 2000 season.

He finished this year batting .313 with 17 home runs and 50 RBIs in 224 at-bats.

He carried his top form into this fall, hitting .329 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs in 21 games with the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the AFL.

In his first year with the Dodgers in 1999, Chen was named MVP of the Single-A California League as well as one of the league's top prospects.

He hit .316 with 31 home runs, 123 RBIs and 31 stolen bases in his first season as a pro.

The World Cup is Chen's second opportunity to represent Taiwan, as he played on the Taiwan team at the Asian Championships in 1999.

While Chen is assured of making the final cut for Taiwan, manager Lin Hua-wei (林華韋) was expected to announce the final 24-player roster after last night's exhibition game against Cuba.
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