TAIPEI 2016Spring Vol.03—MLB Pitcher Wei-Yin Chen: Youthful and Romantic Memories of TaipeiPost date：2016-06-15
Updates：2016-08-23
1168
Article ＿ Howard Chen
Photos ＿ Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government
During last year’s New Year’s Eve Countdown Party, Wei-Yin Chen (right 3) joined Taipei Mayor Wen-je Ko and his wife in welcoming the New Year. (Photo: Pan Junlin)
“Every time I come to Taipei, I feel that this city is different.” This statement was made by MLB (Major League Baseball) left-handed pitcher Wei-Yin Chen (陳偉殷). In addition to an expression of admiration, he sees this city from a perspective different from that of the many who have become accustomed to Taipei living.
Fresh from signing a contract with the Miami Marlins, he has succeeded Chien-Ming Wang (王建民) in keeping Taiwanese fans glued to their television sets late at night to cheer him on to glory for Taiwan. On the field, Chen maintains his game face. But when he talks about Taipei, a smile spreads across his face. “By way of comparison, Japan and now the US are places where I work. To some extent that makes it more difficult for me to switch emotions. Thus, I am very happy when I can come to Taipei, because Taipei is a place that allows me to relax.”
Taipei, Place of Victory and
Modern City
If it can be said that “giving it one’s all” is Chen’s motto in baseball, it is not difficult to guess that Chen’s first impressions of Taipei involve this sport. “I remember participating in highschool baseball league games during my second year in high school,” Chen says. “Our team took a bus trip north, and in the end, in Taipei, we won that year’s league championship. The memories of Taipei from that year are still with me.” At that time Chen was a starting pitcher, and a key team member. After graduating from junior high school he decided to attend Kaoyuan Technology & Commerce Vocational High School (高苑工商), which has produced a number of outstanding pitchers and is highly competitive, to prove himself. The honors won in his second year of highschool, therefore, resulted in deep and long-lasting impressions of Taipei.
“In the past,” he adds, “when I participated in competitions in Taipei, I would often discover that there were many things that I came to understand only by being in Taipei. I felt that I was too backward. After all, Taipei is different from other cities.” After graduation, Chen began his professional baseball career, moving to Japan and then to the US. Playing both home and away games, he has visited many cities, and has often heard the saying that the “moon is rounder in other countries”. But Chen does not agree.
He says that every time he comes to Taipei, he feels that this city has many distinguishing features, such as shopping areas that are well designed, whether they are restored historical complexes or modern buildings, for example Taipei 101, department stores, and cultural-creative parks. This diversity of styles cannot be seen in Japan or the US. Moreover, Taipei 101, which has come to be associated with New Year’s Eve fireworks, is the source of a moving memory for Chen.
Watching Fireworks on Tiding Boulevard, Romantic Taipei Memory
“I remember there was one year that we wanted to watch the 101 fireworks display on New Year’s Eve,” he recalls. “I drove with my family, and we had reached Tiding Boulevard (堤頂大道) on our way towards Taipei 101. But there was a traffic jam. We could not get there before the countdown. So we watched the fireworks together with all of the other people stuck in traffic on Tiding Boulevard.”
Tiding Boulevard is located in Neihu District along the Keelung River (基隆河). Although it is six kilometers away from Xinyi District , the 500-meter-tall Taipei 101 still occupies a commanding position. “Everyone says that it is better to be closer,” he says. “But, watching the fireworks from Tiding Boulevard, we felt that we were able to see everything. It was very beautiful. Being able to ring in the New Year with my family, the feeling was very different.”
Nostalgic Flavors, Happy Family Time
Convenience and booming prosperity have long been defining Taipei City characteristics. Chen has lived abroad for a long time, including in Nagoya, Japan and Baltimore, USA. He feels that Taipei does not pale in comparison to the cities of Japan and the US. “Although Nagoya is a good place to live, and is quiet and beautiful, it is not as convenient. Unlike Taipei, with its metro system that extends in all directions. You don’t need to worry about finding something to eat or drink or fun to do.
From Tiding Boulevard, Wei-Yin Chen saw the full, dazzling Taipei 101 fireworks display. (Photo: Gao Zanxia
n)
“The US and Japan are different,” he says. “Many restaurants close early. When you are at home, sometimes you will suddenly want to eat something and you really don’t know what to do. In Taipei, at any time of the day or night you can find something to eat.”
Eating is a kind of habit or custom. It not only serves to satisfy hunger, but also to bring enjoyment. When talking about his favorite foods, Chen has a long list. “I love to eat Japanese food. So, when I am in Taipei there are several restaurants that serve food to my liking, such as Kikugawa (菊川) and Sushi Jubei (鮨十兵衛) in the East District. Whenever I return to Taipei I go there.” In addition to food, Chen, whose younger son just turned two, says that spending time with his children when he is in Taipei is very important. The Taipei Zoo ( 台北市立動物園) is a favorite place to visit for the whole family.
“My older son likes animals very much, so I will take him to the Taipei Zoo. When he sees the animals, he gets very excited. Giraffes, elephants, and pandas can all be seen in Taipei. Although my younger son doesn’t understand what he is seeing, he will smile and laugh when he sees how excited his older brother is.”
Sowing Good Seeds, Looking to the Future
As a major league ace and top sports star in Taiwan, Chen hopes that, in addition to good health and for everything to go smoothly in the new year, he can spend more time with his two sons. When asked whether his sons will follow in his footsteps and become baseball players, Chen answers that he is giving them space to develop their own interests. As a father, being able to watch them grow up healthy is most important.
When talking about the development of Taipei’s sports atmosphere, Chen refers to the example of American education in terms of cultivating an interest in sports from a young age. “Now, everyone thinks that sports are just a way to keep fit and healthy. But if you cultivate the habit of playing sports from childhood, in addition to improving the physical health of children, it allows them to first watch and participate. This cultivates interest and forms habits.”
Most likely, this year he will not be able to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Taiwan. He must return to the other side of the Pacific Ocean for spring training and to prepare for the upcoming season. With his joining of the Miami Marlins, he will continue to lead Taiwan’s next wave of baseball fever. Yet while he will be physically in the US, his heart will continue to be in the place that he misses, Taiwan, and in Taipei that has provided unforgettable memories.
Photos ＿ Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government
During last year’s New Year’s Eve Countdown Party, Wei-Yin Chen (right 3) joined Taipei Mayor Wen-je Ko and his wife in welcoming the New Year. (Photo: Pan Junlin)
“Every time I come to Taipei, I feel that this city is different.” This statement was made by MLB (Major League Baseball) left-handed pitcher Wei-Yin Chen (陳偉殷). In addition to an expression of admiration, he sees this city from a perspective different from that of the many who have become accustomed to Taipei living.
Fresh from signing a contract with the Miami Marlins, he has succeeded Chien-Ming Wang (王建民) in keeping Taiwanese fans glued to their television sets late at night to cheer him on to glory for Taiwan. On the field, Chen maintains his game face. But when he talks about Taipei, a smile spreads across his face. “By way of comparison, Japan and now the US are places where I work. To some extent that makes it more difficult for me to switch emotions. Thus, I am very happy when I can come to Taipei, because Taipei is a place that allows me to relax.”
Taipei, Place of Victory and
Modern City
If it can be said that “giving it one’s all” is Chen’s motto in baseball, it is not difficult to guess that Chen’s first impressions of Taipei involve this sport. “I remember participating in highschool baseball league games during my second year in high school,” Chen says. “Our team took a bus trip north, and in the end, in Taipei, we won that year’s league championship. The memories of Taipei from that year are still with me.” At that time Chen was a starting pitcher, and a key team member. After graduating from junior high school he decided to attend Kaoyuan Technology & Commerce Vocational High School (高苑工商), which has produced a number of outstanding pitchers and is highly competitive, to prove himself. The honors won in his second year of highschool, therefore, resulted in deep and long-lasting impressions of Taipei.
“In the past,” he adds, “when I participated in competitions in Taipei, I would often discover that there were many things that I came to understand only by being in Taipei. I felt that I was too backward. After all, Taipei is different from other cities.” After graduation, Chen began his professional baseball career, moving to Japan and then to the US. Playing both home and away games, he has visited many cities, and has often heard the saying that the “moon is rounder in other countries”. But Chen does not agree.
He says that every time he comes to Taipei, he feels that this city has many distinguishing features, such as shopping areas that are well designed, whether they are restored historical complexes or modern buildings, for example Taipei 101, department stores, and cultural-creative parks. This diversity of styles cannot be seen in Japan or the US. Moreover, Taipei 101, which has come to be associated with New Year’s Eve fireworks, is the source of a moving memory for Chen.
Watching Fireworks on Tiding Boulevard, Romantic Taipei Memory
“I remember there was one year that we wanted to watch the 101 fireworks display on New Year’s Eve,” he recalls. “I drove with my family, and we had reached Tiding Boulevard (堤頂大道) on our way towards Taipei 101. But there was a traffic jam. We could not get there before the countdown. So we watched the fireworks together with all of the other people stuck in traffic on Tiding Boulevard.”
Tiding Boulevard is located in Neihu District along the Keelung River (基隆河). Although it is six kilometers away from Xinyi District , the 500-meter-tall Taipei 101 still occupies a commanding position. “Everyone says that it is better to be closer,” he says. “But, watching the fireworks from Tiding Boulevard, we felt that we were able to see everything. It was very beautiful. Being able to ring in the New Year with my family, the feeling was very different.”
Nostalgic Flavors, Happy Family Time
Convenience and booming prosperity have long been defining Taipei City characteristics. Chen has lived abroad for a long time, including in Nagoya, Japan and Baltimore, USA. He feels that Taipei does not pale in comparison to the cities of Japan and the US. “Although Nagoya is a good place to live, and is quiet and beautiful, it is not as convenient. Unlike Taipei, with its metro system that extends in all directions. You don’t need to worry about finding something to eat or drink or fun to do.
From Tiding Boulevard, Wei-Yin Chen saw the full, dazzling Taipei 101 fireworks display. (Photo: Gao Zanxia
n)“The US and Japan are different,” he says. “Many restaurants close early. When you are at home, sometimes you will suddenly want to eat something and you really don’t know what to do. In Taipei, at any time of the day or night you can find something to eat.”
Eating is a kind of habit or custom. It not only serves to satisfy hunger, but also to bring enjoyment. When talking about his favorite foods, Chen has a long list. “I love to eat Japanese food. So, when I am in Taipei there are several restaurants that serve food to my liking, such as Kikugawa (菊川) and Sushi Jubei (鮨十兵衛) in the East District. Whenever I return to Taipei I go there.” In addition to food, Chen, whose younger son just turned two, says that spending time with his children when he is in Taipei is very important. The Taipei Zoo ( 台北市立動物園) is a favorite place to visit for the whole family.
“My older son likes animals very much, so I will take him to the Taipei Zoo. When he sees the animals, he gets very excited. Giraffes, elephants, and pandas can all be seen in Taipei. Although my younger son doesn’t understand what he is seeing, he will smile and laugh when he sees how excited his older brother is.”
Sowing Good Seeds, Looking to the Future
As a major league ace and top sports star in Taiwan, Chen hopes that, in addition to good health and for everything to go smoothly in the new year, he can spend more time with his two sons. When asked whether his sons will follow in his footsteps and become baseball players, Chen answers that he is giving them space to develop their own interests. As a father, being able to watch them grow up healthy is most important.
When talking about the development of Taipei’s sports atmosphere, Chen refers to the example of American education in terms of cultivating an interest in sports from a young age. “Now, everyone thinks that sports are just a way to keep fit and healthy. But if you cultivate the habit of playing sports from childhood, in addition to improving the physical health of children, it allows them to first watch and participate. This cultivates interest and forms habits.”
Most likely, this year he will not be able to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Taiwan. He must return to the other side of the Pacific Ocean for spring training and to prepare for the upcoming season. With his joining of the Miami Marlins, he will continue to lead Taiwan’s next wave of baseball fever. Yet while he will be physically in the US, his heart will continue to be in the place that he misses, Taiwan, and in Taipei that has provided unforgettable memories.
