CPBL: Single-season hit record broken by Li Hao-yu on his 31st birthday; Zhang Yu-cheng says he'll be a future goal for overseas players

On his 31st birthday, Taiwanese baseball player Zhang Yu-cheng witnessed a significant milestone as Li Hao-yu broke his single-season hit record in Major League Baseball. The game, held at the Taoyuan Baseball Stadium, saw Li Hao-yu record his 55th hit of the season, surpassing Zhang's previous record of 54 hits set in 2021.

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As an Asian and a Taiwanese, climbing up from the minor leagues and then being traded from the Phillies to the Tigers, this kind of performance is truly amazing. I wish him continued good performance every year, even better than now.

Zhang Yu-cheng, who has played in MLB, expressed his delight and admiration for Li Hao-yu's accomplishment. He praised Li Hao-yu's performance, noting his three hits in the game and his ability to reach base in all five of his plate appearances. "As an Asian and a Taiwanese, climbing up from the minor leagues and then being traded from the Phillies to the Tigers, this kind of performance is truly amazing," Zhang said. He wished Li Hao-yu continued success, hoping he would perform even better in the coming years.

Reflecting on the challenges of staying in MLB, Zhang acknowledged the difficulty, particularly in communication, despite having no technical issues. He noted that Li Hao-yu benefits from translation assistance, though he doesn't play every game, with intermittent starts likely serving as a test from the coaching staff.

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From now on, the younger generation will aim to surpass Li Hao-yu.

Zhang also spoke about the path for Taiwanese players in professional baseball. He mentioned that while many aspiring players aimed to surpass his achievements, Li Hao-yu has now set a new benchmark. "From now on, the younger generation will aim to surpass Li Hao-yu," he stated. Zhang extended his gratitude to Chen Chin-feng, often referred to as "Brother Feng," for paving the way for Taiwanese players to pursue careers in American baseball.

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We also have to thank Brother Feng (Chen Chin-feng) for opening the path to playing in America, allowing us to have successive opportunities to go out and challenge the highest hall of baseball.