Veteran baseball player Chen Yung-chi finds renewed confidence in final season

As the 43-year-old veteran Chen Yung-chi approaches what might be his final game at New Taipei City Stadium, he carries with him the wisdom of seasoned players Hu Chin-lung and Lin Chih-sheng. Their advice, "You've played 16 years in the CPBL since returning from overseas, what else do you need to prove? The records speak for themselves!" has helped Chen shed the pressure of his final season. This shift in mindset has been evident in his recent performance, with seven hits in his last eight games, boosting his batting average from the teens to .286.

Chen's final series in New Taipei City has started strong, with two hits and an RBI yesterday. Tomorrow's game could mark his last appearance at the stadium, a place holding significant memories from his college championship win. Throughout his professional career, Chen has had 746 plate appearances at this venue, ranking third most across all stadiums, with an impressive .303 batting average.

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You've played 16 years in the CPBL since returning from overseas, what else do you need to prove? The records speak for themselves!

Despite an early-season left oblique strain that kept him on the injured list until mid-May, Chen's determination to finish his career on a high note was palpable. The encouragement from his peers has allowed him to approach each at-bat with greater ease. He has already played his final game at Chengcing Lake Stadium and anticipates his potential final outing at New Taipei City Stadium.

Looking ahead to his retirement series in Taitung, Chen hopes to hit his first career home run at Asia-Pacific Stadium, the venue for his final retirement event. "I'm getting older... I'll try my best!" he quipped. His primary goal remains to perform effectively in crucial moments for his team, leaving the rest to fate.

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I'm getting older... I'll try my best! I just hope that in the crucial moments when the team needs me, I can do this job well. The rest will take its course.