Jason Pan, in Chinese Taipei
Chung Chen-Yo, the hard-hitting outfielder for the Lamigo Monkeys, was the big winner in the All-Star actions this past weekend. Known as “Yo-Yo”, stemming from his name, Chung is one of the hot young stars and fan favourites in the CPBL (Chinese Professional Baseball League).
Not particularly powerfully-built (at 180 cm and 82 kg), nevertheless, he possesses a quick, compact swing and has sharp eyes for good pitching selection.
Up to this week, the Lamigo Monkey slugger has been a constant offensive threat. He was hitting at .301, with 17 doubles, 4 triples, 5homers, and 46 RBIs in 74 regular season games.
The “Yo-Yo” Man did not disappoint the crowd, as he smashed 9homers in the final duel to clinch the Home Run Derby, which took place at New Taipei City‘s “Sinzhuang” stadium on Saturday July 21.
Chung Chen Yo also went into the books as the first player in CPBL history to win this event for the second straight year. The star outfielder of Lamigo Monkeys went through 4 elimination rounds (from a starting field of 12 hitters), and defeated Uni-President Lions‘s Kao Kuo-Ching in the final.
Bashing out a total of 26 homers through the 4 rounds, the righthanded slugger “Yo-Yo” Man outdistanced the other finalist challenger Kao (total of 16) by 10 more dingers.
He said afterwards: “My swing was fairly smooth today, but the key is to concentrate on the ball and follow the rhythm of the feeding pitcher. It’s great to win this event again, breaking record is what players should do.”
The Home Run Derby is also a charity event, with the Bank of Taiwan and other corporate sponsors pledging donations, depending on homers hit on designated golden balls.
Donation by the bank goes to a local foundation which provides financial assistance and hospital treatment for kids and families afflicted with rare medical disorders.
With the corporate donation for the “Home Run Derby”, and Chung the “Yo-Yo” Man’s generosity in donating NT$ 30,000 (a good portion of his winning reward), the total amount given to the charity came to NT$ 215,000 (about USD 7,200) this year.
“Yes, I want to win this event next year. It’s also for a good cause, so I can help those in need by donating my winning portions,” said Chung Chen Yo to the press.
In the All-Star Game the following day, over 9,000 fans at the “Sinchuang” stadium witnessed an exciting see-saw battle.
The All-Star White Squad (composed of Sinon Bulls and Uni-President Lions players) would finally prevail 9-8 over the Red Squad (players of Lamigo Monkeys and Brother Elephants).
All the players got into the action to whack out a total of 26 hits, including a big home run by Sinon Bulls first baseman Lin “One Punch” Yi-Chuan.
