http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Aug-02-Tue-2005/sports/26982945.html

Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Copyright c Las Vegas Review-Journal

Chen heads back to old home

Veteran outfielder returns to Las Vegas after clearing waivers

By MATT YOUMANS
REVIEW-JOURNAL


A man of few words, 51s outfielder Chin-Feng Chen was a man with no options
last week when he was set free by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In his seventh season in the organization, Chen was designated for assignment
by the Dodgers after his latest cameo appearance in the major leagues went
unnoticed.

The 27-year-old from Taiwan cleared waivers and could have opted to become a
minor league free agent, but instead made a U-turn to Las Vegas. He had
nowhere else to go, and if he wanted to go elsewhere, he's not saying.

"It doesn't really matter because nobody picked me up, so I've got to come
back here," he said. "I have a chance to play here, but I don't have a chance
to play up there."

Chen went 3-for-5 with a single, double and solo homer Monday night in the
51s' 11-10 10-inning victory over the Oklahoma RedHawks at Cashman Field.

In his fourth year in Las Vegas, Chen is the franchise's career leader in
home runs (84) and RBIs (286). He is fourth on the list in games with 414, 39
behind leader Joe Thurston, who was traded to the New York Yankees
organization last week.

Chen was recalled by the Dodgers on July 4 and went 2-for-8 with two RBIs. He
returned to Triple A on Sunday and hit a two-run homer.

"I thought he would get a chance in the majors this year," 51s manager Jerry
Royster said. "It's been tough on him because he hasn't played forever since
he left here, basically starting one game in the last month. His attitude
here is always good."

Las Vegas president Don Logan said he is convinced Chen can play in the
majors if he gets a chance. Logan said Chen, who plays right field for the
51s, has improved enough defensively to be a left fielder at the next level,
but is also a candidate to be a designated hitter in the American League.

In April, when Anaheim Angels right-hander Kelvim Escobar made a
rehabilitation start in Las Vegas, Chen hit a blast off Escobar that is one
of the longest homers at Cashman Field this season.

"Chen hits the ball to all fields with power," Logan said. "He's a streaky
guy like a lot of good hitters. But when he's swinging it good, he can hit
anybody. He'll hit Roger Clemens or anybody."

Ranked the Dodgers' No. 2 prospect by Baseball America before the 2001
season, Chen just got his first major league hit last month. He's hitting
.295 with 12 homers for the 51s (47-63).

Chen laughed when asked if he might come back next year to rewrite more
franchise records.

"That's too long," he said. "I don't think about that."