Chen first from Taiwan to reach majors


Monday, September 9
Associated Press


LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers promoted Chin-Feng Chen to the
major league roster Monday, making the 24-year-old first baseman-outfielder
the first Taiwanese player on a major league roster.


"Chen's arrival is an exciting one for this organization,''
Dodgers general manager Dan Evans said. "He is an extremely talented player
who continues to improve each year. It is important for him to
experience a big league clubhouse and atmosphere,
and his hard work and production have earned him this reward.''


Chen hit .333 and drove in four runs while the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s were
eliminated 3-1 by the Edmonton Trappers in a Pacific Coast League
semifinal playoff series that ended Saturday.

A native of Yong Kang City in Taiwan, Chen hit .284 and led the 51s
with 26 homers and 84 RBIs this season.
He was a member of the Taiwanese national team
in the 34th World Cup of Baseball, held in Taiwan last year,
and led all players with 11 RBIs to help his country win the bronze medal.


Chen became the first Taiwanese-born player to sign a professional baseball
contract with an American organization when he signed with the Dodgers in 1999

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