Former professional baseball catcher Chen Feng-min, once a member of Taiwan’s elite “Three Great Catchers,” will make a symbolic return to the diamond this August. According to reports from SET News, Chen is scheduled to serve as a ceremonial first-pitch guest and receive an honorary retirement tribute during the Oakland Athletics’ “Taiwan Day” in the United States. This event marks a long-awaited moment of recognition for the 48-year-old, whose professional career was abruptly halted in 2010 due to a match-fixing scandal that ultimately resulted in a judicial acquittal.
The 2010 Scandal and the Judicial Aftermath
In March 2010, Chen was pulled from a preseason game and subsequently severed from the La New Bears organization amid a widespread investigation into professional baseball match-fixing in Taiwan. Despite his immediate expulsion, the judicial process took over a year to conclude. According to the SET News report, the Taiwan High Court ultimately upheld an acquittal in March 2011, finding no evidence that Chen had received bribes or participated in match-fixing. The court noted that testimonies against him were inconsistent and contradictory. Despite being legally cleared, Chen was unable to return to the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), as league rules required a formal review process that resulted in his continued exclusion from professional rosters.
From Professional Star to Grassroots Mentor
Following his forced departure from the professional stage, Chen sought to continue his career in coaching. His transition to the grassroots level was difficult; he faced multiple rejections before finding a position at Tainan’s Chongming Junior High School. According to Chen, the school’s baseball program was in its infancy at the time, operating with limited resources such as only two bats and roughly 30 to 50 baseballs. Over the past 14 years, Chen has helped build the program into a regional powerhouse, securing titles such as the 2025 Junior Baseball League hard-ball division runner-up and multiple municipal championships. He was appointed as a full-time professional sports coach at the school in 2020.
Pro Tip: Resilience in Coaching
Chen emphasizes that effective coaching extends beyond technical drills. He focuses on “character education,” teaching young athletes values like punctuality, honesty, and responsibility. He maintains that while not every player will reach the professional level, instilling these traits is the primary goal of his mentorship.
The Significance of the MLB Taiwan Day Tribute
The invitation to the Oakland Athletics’ Taiwan Day, organized by T-League RGT founder Chen Wen-ze, serves as a bridge between Chen’s past and his current life in youth development. For Chen, this moment is not about seeking revenge for the lost years of his professional career, but about receiving a form of acknowledgment that was missing in 2010. He noted that the support of his family and the fact that younger generations—including his own children’s peers—still recognize his contributions to the sport, have been essential in his recovery from the stigma of the scandal.
Future Aspirations and Legacy
Despite his success at the junior high level, Chen remains focused on higher goals. He has expressed a clear ambition to eventually serve as a coach for the Taiwan national team, hoping to translate his years of experience into international success. According to the SET News interview, Chen holds no regrets about his life in baseball. He describes the sport as the central pillar of his existence, stating that he would choose the same path if given the chance again. His current mission remains the long-term development of his players at Chongming, whom he credits with helping him rediscover his purpose after his professional career ended.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why was Chen Feng-min excluded from the CPBL after his acquittal?
Although the court found him innocent of match-fixing, CPBL regulations at the time required an additional review process by the league’s board to determine eligibility, which resulted in his rejection by teams. - What is Chen’s current role in baseball?
Chen is a full-time professional sports coach at Chongming Junior High School in Tainan, where he has coached for 14 years. - Why is the Oakland Athletics’ Taiwan Day significant for him?
It provides a symbolic, public acknowledgment of his career and a formal “retirement” tribute that he never received during his professional tenure.
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