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MLB stars blow in for Taiwan baseball showdown

(back row second left to right) LaTroy Hawkins, Curtis Granderson, Bruce Bochy and Robinson Cano pose with Major League Baseball officials and ROC central and local government representatives at a news conference in Taipei Oct. 30. (CNA)

• Publication Date：10/31/2011
• Source： Taiwan Today

A team of select U.S. Major League Baseball players arrived in Taiwan Oct. 30 ahead of five exhibition games against the Chinese Taipei national team in the cities of New Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung between Nov. 1 and 6.

The team’s manager, Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants, and players Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and LaTroy Hawkins held a news conference the same day to give their thoughts on the upcoming showdowns.

Bochy, who also managed the last MLB visit to Asia, a 2006 tour of Japan, declined to make any predictions, saying only that his team would “do its best to give the fans an exciting time.”

He said he really felt the enthusiasm of Taiwan’s baseball fans upon the team’s arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and during the trip to their hotel.

“I’m really looking forward to the first game,” he added.

Meanwhile, Cano expressed his admiration for his former New York Yankee teammate Wang Chien-ming, who will pitch for the Chinese Taipei squad.

“Wang’s a good person both on and off the field, and he always works hard on the mound,” Cano said.

“I’m happy to see that he’s back from his injury, and I believe he’ll be able to continue to maintain his health and have a bright future,” he added.

Cano also noted that this is his first visit to Taiwan and he is looking forward to experiencing the local lifestyle, baseball culture and cuisine firsthand during his stay.

During a practice in Taichung Oct. 30, Chinese Taipei manager Chen Wei-cheng said, “There haven’t been any problems with our team’s hitting or defense. As for who will be our starting pitcher, we’ll put whoever is in the best condition at the time on the mound.”

The MLB team is slated to depart Taiwan Nov. 6. (SB)