Lin Li uses his exceptional physical abilities to consistently win titles in Taiwan's CPBL. In 2022, he claimed the batting title, the hits leader award, and the RBI crown, and was named the league MVP. What is it that drives him? And what is it that he wants to share the most about the joy of baseball?

Lin made his debut in 2017, and took the batting title in his third year with a .389 average. He has since added a stolen base crown, RBI title, hits leader award, and more, capping it all with the league MVP in 2022. This all-around threat ― a powerful hitter with blazing speed ― is just 27 years old and already regarded as “the face of Taiwanese baseball.” But beneath all those titles is a man who just loves baseball. It’s that love, the joy of playing baseball, that keeps him growing. What the young players of Taiwan aspire to might just be an athlete who plays with the pure heart of a boy who simply loves the game.

―—You had an outstanding 2022, but this year you were slowed by an injury early on. Looking back, do you think there’s something positive you were able to take from that experience?

“I got injured right after the season started, but being forced to stop gave me time to reflect on myself, which was a positive. I’d never had an injury that kept me off the field entirely before, so there was a part of me that wanted to rush the recovery. But rushing doesn’t make you heal faster. I was able to switch my thinking: I played in the World Baseball Classic before the season, so I told myself it was time to properly rest my mind and body. Going forward, I want to contribute properly to the team.”

―—Head Coach Furukubo praised you highly in an interview on syncSPORTS. What do you thinkabout the Japanese style of baseball he brings?

“I feel that the styles of baseball played in Japan and Taiwan aren’t all that different. But the head coach’s role is to devise strategies during games and lead the team to victory. Since Coach Furukubo arrived, the in-game instructions have become more detailed, and I’ve seen him make the right call over and over again. I think that kind of precise, tactical baseball is wonderful, and I’m always trying to understand the strategy so I can execute it better.”

―—Do you follow Japanese professional baseball?

“Of course. I often watch NPB broadcasts before games. Each player is highly skilled, and the teams are good, and there’s a massive fanbase. I’m curious how they maintain such a high level of performance ― they’re someone I want to learn from.”

―—As one of Taiwan’s leading players, what are some things you think the Rakuten Monkeys and Taiwanese baseball should work on?

“I genuinely think that the Rakuten Monkeys play in a more well-resourced environment than other teams. And it’s not just player support, they’re active on the marketing side too, and I think things will keep getting better. When I look at Taiwanese professional baseball, I think more people will be interested in baseball if we get more outstanding players, so raising the overall league level has to come first.”

―—What would you like to say to kids who’ve just started watching baseball, or kids who dream of going pro?

“Baseball is a team sport with many positions. There are so many skills to master, which makes it challenging, but also fascinating. There isn’t a single player who can win a game all by himself. The whole team needs to perform well together. I want to share that depth and excitement of baseball with more people. And to kids who dream of going pro: keep loving baseball. I keep playing because I love it so much. Even when going pro feels impossibly difficult, I think approaching it with that feeling of love is what opens doors for you.”

Interview: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS)
Text: Kodai Wada