The Taichung-based CTBC Brothers four-game sweep of the Rakuten Monkeys in the Taiwan Series, wrapping up this year’s CPBL season, has added more fire to the heated race for Taichung mayor on Nov. 26.
Democratic Progressive Party Taichung mayoral candidate Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) yesterday wore a dark T-shirt printed with “Taiwan Series Champions” to celebrate the city’s back-to-back pro baseball titles.
Meanwhile, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has been seen wearing the Brothers’ bright yellow jersey bearing the team’s name since the series started and when she joined fans at public game-viewing parties.
Photo courtesy of Lu’s campaign headquarters via CNA
Tsai, who has served as CPBL commissioner since last year, said he wore the limited-edition T-shirt to relive and enjoy the passionate atmosphere of the championship series, which ended on Wednesday, and to join Taichung residents in supporting their team.
“Taiwanese baseball has seen vigorous growth in recent years by overcoming challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We worked hard to see the successful expansion of the CPBL, with corporate support for a sixth team to join the league,” he said.
“Pro baseball has attracted more fans to the ballparks or public broadcasts. We encourage all politicians to support Taiwanese baseball, and for the city government to provide more resources to young people and amateur teams to help develop the game at the grassroots level,” he said.
Photo: Su Chin-feng, Taipei Times
Lu and city officials provided more details on a planned victory parade, following an announcement by CTBC executives that it would take place on Sunday next week.
The first organizing meeting is to be held on Monday, Taichung Sports Bureau head Li Yu-jui (李昱叡) said.
The plan is likely to be the same as last year’s, with participants gathering at the plaza in front of Taichung City Hall at noon and the parade going through major roads and finishing at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, the CTBC team’s home park, Li said.
An estimated 100,000 people took part in last year’s victory parade, with more than 1,000 motorcycles and scooters following behind, Li said.
Lu yesterday said she has taken an official leave of absence to focus on her election campaign.
Tsai has over the past few months accused Lu of abusing her authority by using city government resources for her personal campaign and secretly instructing city bureaucrats to monitor the activities of opposition candidates.
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