Chen Chin-feng (陳金鋒) is expected to become the first Taiwanese baseball player to join the US major leagues.
The official Web site of the Los Angeles Dodgers has posted an announcement saying the club plans to call up Chen -- currently with the Las Vegas 51s in the Triple A League -- and a number of other players.
Chao Shih-chiang (
He said he expected an international fan club to be established soon for Chen.
Many thousands of Chen's supporters in Taiwan have already set up Internet fan clubs, however, and constantly bombard the LA Dodgers with questions about their favorite player.
Chao said Chen still needs to improve his defensive ability, though his hitting is impeccable.
"It's a moment that not only all baseball fans but the general public in Taiwan have been waiting for," said CPBL Director Richard Wang.
"Chen's recall to the major leagues is truly a historical moment, both in the (US) major league's 126 years of history and in particular Taiwan's baseball history, for he is the first Taiwanese player ever to step onto the senior circuit."
Chen became just the second Taiwanese player to play professional baseball in the US and joined the LA Dodgers in 1999.
He made a spectacular debut for the Single-A San Bernardino in 1999, earning California League Most Valuable Player honors after becoming the first player in league history to total more than 30 home runs and stolen bases in a season.
He batted .316 (161-for-510) in 131 games and led all Dodger minor leaguers with 31 home runs and 123 RBI.
He had a 0.313-17-50 season in 66 Double-A games last year after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Chen's performance at the World Baseball Cup in Taiwan late last year was also a breakthrough.
Returning home to play for the national team, he scored three crucial home runs in two games against South Korea and Japan, helping Taiwan win the bronze medal and breathe fresh life into baseball in the country after corruption scandals in the 1990s.
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