Chen Guan Yu, who had been active in Japanese professional baseball for nine years since 2011, is now playing for his home country Taiwan's professional baseball team, Rakuten Monkeys.In February this year, I had a chance to speak with player Chen, who visited Japan to participate in an exhibition game between the Monkeys and his former team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, held in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture.About the affiliated team, the differences between Japanese and Taiwanese professional baseball, and the beloved family.

– Chen has experienced various teams, including professional Baseball in both Japan and Taiwan, as well as the WBC.From such a perspective, what kind of personality do you feel the Rakuten Monkeys, which you’ve been a part of since 2021, have?

The sense of “winning as a team” is stronger here than in any other team I’ve experienced so far.There’s a phrase called “unity and solidarity,” isn’t there?That’s exactly it.Professional baseball players tend to obsess over “how well they can play” and become fixated on their individual records.However, it feels like each member of the Rakuten Monkeys is always considering “what they can bring to the team” through their individual performance.Therefore, everyone is having a frank discussion.It’s truly a team with a great atmosphere, and it’s also linked to my own sense of fulfillment.

– How did it feel to play in front of Japanese baseball fans after such a long time?

First, I was happy that you still remembered me.I can’t thank you enough.There are fans who have been supporting me since my days with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, and there are also fans who remember me from my time with the Chiba Lotte Marines.Baseball fans in Taiwan tend to support one team, for better or worse, but the presence of Japanese baseball fans who continue to support players like me, who have moved around several teams, is very heartwarming.

— Could you teach us how to enjoy Taiwanese professional baseball, so that the Japanese baseball fans who have continued to support Chen can also cheer for his success with the Rakuten Monkeys?

I hope you enjoy the two-season system, which is also a difference from Japanese professional baseball.For us athletes, there is a harsh aspect that if our performance in the first half is poor, we may not be allowed to participate in the second half games. However, it is precisely because of this that we get excited about the first half, driven by the desire to “want to play in the game”.Of course, you can’t miss the second half as it determines the annual champion.

View this post on Instagram

Post shared by Chen Kuan-Yu (@kuanyu1029)

– Chen often posts photos of his family on his own Instagram.How does the presence of a family positively influence your job as a professional baseball player?

Given that they’ve been supporting me from the closest distance, I truly believe I am blessed with a wonderful family.Even when I lost a match, I felt relieved when I returned home and saw my child’s face, and there were numerous occasions when this helped me overcome the hardship.

ー You are known as a doting “good dad”, but what kind of family services do you usually aim for?

I dedicate 10 months of the year to baseball, so I have decided to prioritize my family during the 2 months of off-season.If you say you want to go to the zoo, we’ll go to the zoo. If you say you want to go on a trip, we’ll go anywhere, even overseas.I’m willing to do anything for my family.

ー Do you want children to be interested in Baseball too?

Of course! I definitely want to play baseball together.It’s okay if you become a professional player.By that time, I will probably have already retired.Even so, I strongly believe that if I can leave even a little incentive for children to become interested in baseball, it would be worthwhile.It’s not just limited to one’s own children.I want to give hope to all the children in Taiwan through baseball.Therefore, I must remain a player they can look up to as their goal for as long as possible.

Chen Kuan-Yu @kuanyu1029

Born in 1990, a professional baseball player from Taiwan.The position is a pitcher.After making a name for himself in college baseball, he made his professional debut with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in 2011.Afterwards, he was part of the Chiba Lotte Marines and the Taiwanese amateur baseball team Ango Fresh Produce. Since 2021, he has been a member of the Rakuten Monkeys.

TEXT: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS)