Tsao mania floods Coors Field
Asian press flocks to big-league debut
By Pat Rooney, Special To The News
July 26, 2003
It was difficult to judge whether Ping Liu had an envious assignment or one
that was impossible.
Ping, a Washington-based correspondent for the China Times, arrived in Denver
on Thursday. Instead of sightseeing or taking his first trip into the Rocky
Mountains, Liu landed with his fingers flying over the keypad of his laptop
computer.
His hands still have not slowed.
Liu's assignment was simple: Get as much information as humanly possible
regarding Chin-hui Tsao, who made his major league debut for the Rockies on
Friday. Tsao (pronounced CHEEN-way Sow) became only the second player from
Taiwan, and the first pitcher, to play in the major leagues.
Liu has wasted no time adding to the information being transmitted across the
Pacific Ocean in the coverage of what is a momentous event in Taiwan.
"No doubt, this will be on all the front pages. I arrived here (Thursday) and
already I have transmitted five stories and 10 pictures," Liu said Friday
afternoon. "They said the more, the better, just keep sending it. I know they
will be contacting me for a live broadcast during the game, too."
Liu, whose newspaper is based in Taipei, Taiwan, was one of several dozen
Asian reporters covering Tsao's debut. Jay Alves, the Rockies senior director
of media relations, said he had about 30 media credential requests from
foreign news services, a number that likely will grow the next time Tsao
pitches.
"There is an anticipation that if he pitches well, there will be even more
next time," Alves said. "They (the foreign media) didn't really have time to
prepare this time."
They all had a lot to write about after Tsao emerged with a debut victory,
allowing eight hits and three runs in 6 1/3 innings.
There is no denying that Tsao's presence created an unusual buzz around Coors
Field in the hours before the game. Perhaps no pitcher at Coors Field has
taken a more scrutinized batting practice, as cameras whirred during Tsao's
short session.
Signs in English and Mandarin dotted the stands before the game, including
one from a group of 27 Taiwanese students from the University of Denver
stationed along the third base line. They raised a bilingual banner that
read: "Tsao, first from Taiwan, home of the Rockies."
"I think he is very comfortable with his surroundings here," Rockies president
Keli McGregor said. "I think, in his mind, he was hopeful this day would come
sooner than later. I don't think he is intimidated by the ballpark. I think he
is confident he will pitch well in this ballpark."
Tsao posted a record of 11-4 at Class AA Tulsa with an earned-run average of
2.46. He led the Texas League with 125 strikeouts and issued only 26 walks in
113 1/3 innings, proving he has completely recovered from an injury to his
pitching elbow that required reconstructive surgery in May 2001.
"We're probably not excited in the way the fans are or the media, but it is
exciting just to have a top prospect making his debut," pitcher Jason
Jennings said. "He has thrown well so far at every level, so we are hoping he
can come up and contribute. We are hoping he can get us some wins and make
our starting rotation just that much stronger."
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