Former MLB pitcher Chen Wei-yin, known as “Taiwan’s YW,” who once stood on the pitcher’s mound in the Major League facing top hitters without fear, retired from his professional baseball career last year. Now, living in the sunny California, his life has taken on a completely different pace.
As a professional baseball player, golf was an unexpected encounter for Chen Wei-yin. In a recent interview, he recalled swinging a club for the first time during his time playing in the Japan professional league. “At the end of each season, the team would organize social activities, and golf was part of it.” Despite having to pause practice due to knee and shoulder injuries, as he recovered, this sport made its way back into his life.
Currently residing in the United States, Chen Wei-yin often accepts friends’ invitations to play golf, and he often goes with his wife. Golf is no longer an arena for extreme competition for Chen Wei-yin. “I am interested, but I don’t seek to excel,” he said with a smile.
At this stage, he values the process of communicating with friends and the rare relaxation he finds on the golf course. For Chen Wei-yin, besides focusing on his family, golf serves as the best way to balance his physical and mental well-being through regular exercise.
Why choose to settle in the United States? Chen Wei-yin frankly stated that the main consideration was the educational environment for his children. Living abroad for over ten years, starting from the age of 18 when he moved to Japan, then to the United States, he has already adapted to a more liberal lifestyle.
In his view, the U.S. education system provides more flexible space, allowing children to find a balance between academics and sports. “They have more opportunities to encounter different types of sports,” he said. Compared to Taiwan, where life is convenient, he believes that the traditional academic and athletic balance often brings greater pressure to children. To support his children’s passion for sports, he hopes to provide a more open and exploratory environment.
When it comes to raising children, Chen Wei-yin’s attitude is both open-minded and practical. He does not limit his children’s development, encourages them to explore various sports, and even takes them to experience golf.
Regarding whether he supports his children pursuing a career in sports in the future, Chen Wei-yin stated, “I support it, but the key is to let children understand reality early on.” He believes that professional sports are highly competitive, with rapid turnovers, mirroring the harsh reality of the workplace. Therefore, he insists that while children develop in sports, academics and skills must also be improved simultaneously.
In Chen Wei-yin’s eyes, sports are not just about competition but also about teaching children to face setbacks, learn to adapt, and navigate changing directions. “This is the most important lesson in one’s lifelong journey,” he said.
After retirement, Chen Wei-yin lost some of his dominance on the pitcher’s mound, but gained warmth in being a father and in daily life. He understands that even the peak of a player’s career will eventually come to an end, but the responsibilities and influence as a father and a baseball figure will continue in life’s next chapter in a different light.
Returning to Chen Wei-yin’s familiar baseball domain, discussing Taiwan’s impressive performance at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March, he remains calm and humble as ever. While the victory against the South Korean team injected pride into Taiwanese fans and players, he acknowledges that when facing strong teams from Japan, Europe, or the Americas, Taiwanese players must honestly acknowledge the existing gaps.
“Games are not just about tactics but also a comprehensive presentation of overall strength and current state,” he emphasized. While individual victories are worth celebrating, they should not lead to complacency. He hopes to see Taiwan have the opportunity to win the WBC championship in the future, but this dream must be built on a continuous improvement in overall strength, “We cannot relax; we must continuously strive for excellence following the example of strong nations.”
When asked about his future career plans, Chen Wei-yin’s answer was clear: Nothing is more important in the near term than being with his family.
Nearly two decades of his professional career made him miss many precious moments in witnessing his children grow up during this long dream-chasing journey. “At this stage, I am not in a rush to pursue coaching or other roles,” he firmly stated, expressing his desire to dedicate his time to his children.
However, he has not closed the door to the future. Whether it is coaching or sharing his valuable rehabilitation and real-world experiences, he remains open and waits for the right time. He also keeps an eye on the long-term development of Taiwan’s baseball, believing that from grassroots little league to student baseball, there is still room for improvement. If he has the capacity in the future, he hopes to provide assistance in different ways. ◇