Thu, Jun 24, 2004 page19

• Wang Guang-hui retires, but stays on as hitting coach

  • By Paul Huang / CONTRIBUTING REPORTER
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  After 15 years of selfless service to his beloved team and devoted fans, Brother Elephants first baseman Wang Guang-hui (王光輝) will retire in his hometown of Hualien this Saturday during the contest between the Elephants and the Macoto Cobras, ending an illustrious career as a player that will forever be remembered.

  The longstanding Elephants icon will remain with the ball club in his full-time role as the hitting coach, a position that he has held while retaining his player-status for the past two seasons.

  An original member of the inaugural Elephants squad in 1990, Wang came to the team with a long and impressive list of amateur credentials that included the 1987 Asian Championship title and second and fourth-place finishes in the 1986 and 1988 World Cup Competition, respectively.

  His valiant effort in beating former Weichuan Dragon slugger Mathis Huff of the US on the last day of the season for the batting title in 1990 (.342) was just the first of numerous accomplishments that Wang achieved over the past 15 seasons with the Elephants.

  A career .285 hitter, Wang brought to the Elephants more than his passion for the game.

  His uncompromising work ethic on the baseball diamond has had a major impact on his teammates both in terms of on-field performance and off-field conduct.

  "Wang is more than a seng-bai to me," Elephants shortstop Chen Rei-cheng (陳瑞振) said, using the Japanese term for mentor. "He has taught me how to maintain an aggressive hitter's mentality and how to carry myself as a professional athlete when I am off the field."

  "Having Wang around makes us a better team in many ways," Elephants outfielder Peng "Chia-chia" Cheng-ming (彭政閔) said. "He just has that kind of effect on the younger guys because of he is who he is. I'm glad that he will be around for awhile in his new role as our hitting coach."

  In addition to his unprecedented 13 straight All-Star selections, the 40-year-old fan favorite also holds the record for most championship rings by a player with six.

  His jersey, No. 26, the number that he has used since junior high school, will be retired by the Elephants.

  Wang is greatly indebted to Elephants owners Hung Rei-ho (洪瑞河) and Hung Teng-sheng (洪騰勝) for their generous support and guidance throughout his career and especially during the troubled times when a group of CPBL players defected to join the newly formed Taiwan Major League in 1997.

  "Without their help, there wouldn't be the Wang Guang-hui you see standing before you," Wang said.

  "The guy knows how to win," Elephants pitching ace Jonathan Hurst said. "He's a winner anyway you cut it. What more can I say."
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