Lamigo Monkeys’ outfielder Wang Po-jung was the biggest winner at the year-end baseball awards event on Friday, taking home the League MVP and five other top honors.
Wang received the most votes for League MVP, beating Kao Kuo-hui of the EDA Rhinos, along with Brothers Baseball Club sluggers Lin Chih-sheng (also known as Ake Ngayaw) and Chiang Chih-hsieng.
The Lamigo star had a breakout year with prolific hitting, setting a new record of 200 hits and the league’s best ever batting average of 0.414.
Photo: Lin Cheng-kung, Taipei Times
He broke the previous CPBL record of 176 hits by Wilton Veras from the Dominican Republic with the Sinon Bulls in 2009, which is difficult with the pro season only being 120 games per team.
Wang also set records for most runs (130), most hits better than a single (72) and most total bases (333).
He ranked in the top five in most offense categories, including home runs (fourth with 29 homers), RBIs (third, 105) and bases stolen (third, 24).
Wang also won the batting king title for best average, top hitter for most hits, as well as best outfielder and the Golden Glove award for his position.
With only 29 appearances last year, he was classified as a first-year player, making him the obvious choice for Rookie of the Year.
“It a surprise to me to win these six awards, it must be for breaking a few hitting records... Maybe there will be pressure on me next year to do even better, which is a good thing,” Wang said at the ceremony. “When there is pressure on me, I feel compelled to improve myself.”
Wang has had expressions of interest from pro baseball scouts overseas.
Wang said he would honor the remainder of his contract with Lamigo, which ends in 2018.
“My goal is to improve next year,” he said. “To do this, I have to remain healthy, continue to hit consistently and stay in the starting lineup.”
“Yes, my goal is to head to pro baseball in other countries, in two years time, if I get the chance,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fubon Financial Holding yesterday took over the EDA Rhinos and dismissed some coaching staff.
Fubon dismissed Rhinos veterans Tsao Chun-yang and farm team head coach Tseng Chih-chen as it took charge of the ballclub.
No new names were announced and the owners said that for the time being the team is to be called “Fubon Professional Team.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and