This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in New York. The 22nd New York Metropolitan Taiwan Day was held at Citi Field on the 26th. Dr. Kjell Lindgren, a Taiwanese-American astronaut from NASA, and Tsai Chi-Chang, the president of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), jointly served as the guests of honor for the ceremonial first pitch. Through the symbols of baseball, space, and democracy, they sought to convey the values of freedom, innovation, and dreams shared by Taiwan and the United States to the world.
Tying in with the final game of the series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets, the event attracted thousands of Taiwanese compatriots to participate. It has become an annual event that is the longest-running Taiwan-themed baseball event in North America. Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Taiwan was showcased to the world through baseball, symbolizing the deep friendship between Taiwan and the United States.
During the press conference, President Zhang Yucheng of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in New York delivered a speech highlighting the theme of this year’s event, rooted in a 150-year history of baseball.
He mentioned that the invitation of NASA astronaut Dr. Kjell Lindgren and CPBL President Tsai Chi-Chang to throw the first pitch this year was not just about arranging two distinguished guests but symbolized the fusion of two spirits. “Dr. Lindgren represents the spirit of the United States in exploring space, pursuing dreams, and daring to push boundaries, while President Tsai represents Taiwan’s over a hundred years of baseball culture and the enduring passion of the Taiwanese people for baseball.”
Reflecting on the history of baseball, President Zhang mentioned that baseball was introduced to Japan by American teacher Horace Wilson in 1872, and subsequently, Japan brought baseball to Taiwan during the colonial period. In 1931, the KANO baseball team from Chiayi, composed of Taiwanese, indigenous people, and Japanese players, made it to the finals of the Japan Series, allowing the world to see Taiwanese baseball for the first time.
He emphasized that today, baseball has traveled from the United States to Japan, then to Taiwan, and now Taiwan is bringing its own baseball story back to the United States. He described it not just as a ceremonial first pitch but a narrative of friendship and heritage spanning 150 years between the United States, Japan, and Taiwan.
This year coinciding with the Dodgers and Mets matchup and the presence of Shohei Ohtani in New York, the Japanese community also enthusiastically participated, leading to the hope that through Taiwan Day, baseball can serve as a common language connecting the people of Taiwan, the United States, and Japan.
As the guest of honor throwing the first pitch, CPBL President Tsai Chi-Chang stated that the enthusiasm of the Taiwanese people for baseball is a powerful force driving international exchanges. “Baseball is the most popular sport in Taiwan. In 2024, we won the World Baseball Classic. This time in New York, we represent the exchange between Taiwanese and American baseball.”
Tsai disclosed that on the 27th, he would visit the MLB headquarters to meet with the league’s chairman, aiming to promote deeper cooperation. He expressed the desire for MLB to organize overseas games or exchange matches in Taiwan, highlighting that Taiwan now has the Taipei Dome, which can accommodate 40,000 people.
Apart from overseas games, he also aspired to facilitate regular exchanges between MLB teams and Taiwan, suggesting the possibility of matches between the 30 MLB teams and the Taiwanese national team in the future.
Believing that Taiwan Day has been held for over 20 years and with an increasing number of Taiwanese players making their mark in the MLB, Tsai Chi-Chang felt that baseball has made Taiwan more recognizable to global baseball fans. He hoped that through baseball, more people could come to see Taiwan.
Born in Taiwan and raised in the United States, Kjell Lindgren expressed his delight at participating in Taiwan Day, the 22nd edition of the event, which coincides with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. He considered it an important moment to reflect on the friendship and partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan over the years.
Talking about baseball, he revealed his lifelong passion for the sport and his support for the Houston Astros team. He was also thrilled to see Taiwan win the World Baseball Classic in 2024.
Lindgren emphasized the unifying power of baseball and noted that celebrating Taiwan Day at a Major League Baseball stadium was a testament to the sport’s ability to bring people together.
Regarding the ceremonial first pitch, the astronaut who has completed spacewalks admitted that it made him more nervous than going to space. Despite the extensive training and preparations involved in becoming an astronaut and in his first mission, he found standing on the pitcher’s mound for the first pitch to be the most nerve-wracking experience.
He acknowledged not practicing pitching specifically for the occasion but expressed confidence that everything would go smoothly, looking forward to enjoying the game with the fans.
Offering advice to children still in school, Lindgren shared that America is a place where hard work can turn dreams into reality. Becoming an astronaut requires effort, perseverance towards goals, and a bit of luck, reflecting the contributions of family, friends, teachers, coaches, and colleagues over the years. His advice to children was to “set goals, work hard, and never give up.”