Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed reliever Kuo Hong-chih will make history July 14, Taipei time, when he becomes the first player ever from Taiwan to have his name appear on the player roster for a U.S. Major League Baseball All-Star game.
Kuo was selected to join the National League All-Star squad July 12 after it was determined that Atlanta Braves rookie hurler Jason Heyward would be unable to play due to a sidelining injury.
The Taiwan native only heard about his selection after Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti called him in to look at the news. “I thought it was strange and wondered why he wanted to talk to me,” Kuo recounted. “I never thought it would be to tell me that I’d been chosen for the All-Star team. This really is a dream come true for me.”
The New York Times was among the U.S. dailies joining the chorus of praise for Kuo, saying that his selection means he will become the “ultimate weapon” in the National League All-Star team’s bullpen.
Speaking with reporters, Kuo said, “I may be the first Taiwan player to take part in a Major League All-Star game, but I believe I definitely will not be the last.” He described the honor as a wonderful present ahead of his 29th birthday July 23.
On the same day as hearing the news, Kuo added to his impressive stats for the year when he appeared in the Dodgers’ home game against the Chicago Cubs. He came on in the top of the ninth and retired the first batter before giving up two hits. He was then able to close out the game without conceding a run, thereby preserving his perfect earned run average of 0.00 at home this season and lowering his overall ERA to just 0.99.
Kuo also maintained his amazing streak of not giving up a single hit to a left-handed batter so far this season.
Dodger manager Joe Torre expressed joy at Kuo’s selection to the All-Star team. He referred to the Taiwan-born reliever as “a medical miracle” for being able to bounce back from four surgeries on his arm during his career to be selected to take part in the Major League’s showcase game of its top stars. (SB)