Anna 
The Baltimore Orioles have congratulated former Taiwanese pitcher Chen Wei-yin (陳偉殷) as he announces his retirement from professional baseball. Chen, who will officially retire on March 16, made the decision public through a post on his Facebook page.
“We congratulate Wei-Yin Chen on his outstanding career on both sides of the Pacific,” said Jackie Harig, the Orioles’ public relations director. “He was the first Taiwanese player in team history and played a key role in helping the Orioles reach the post-season in 2012 and 2014.”
Harig also highlighted Chen’s contribution to the team, noting that during his four seasons with the Orioles, he posted the lowest ERA and had the most starts and innings pitched of any Orioles starter. “We wish him well in his retirement,” Harig added.
Chen, now 39, reflected on his decision to retire in a heartfelt message. He explained that while pain and fatigue were never the biggest challenges in his career, the real struggle came when he realized he could no longer perform at his peak. “After countless internal struggles, I told my wife: ‘My body has reached its limit. I think it’s time for me to retire,'” he wrote.
Chen, who pitched for the Orioles from 2012 to 2016, made his MLB debut with the team on April 10, 2012, against the New York Yankees. He became the seventh Taiwanese player to play in Major League Baseball. In 2016, after four seasons with the Orioles, Chen signed a five-year contract worth $80 million with the Miami Marlins, the largest guaranteed contract for a pitcher in Marlins history.
Before his MLB career, Chen began his professional journey in Japan with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in 2003. He made his official debut in 2005 and became the first Taiwanese player to sign with a U.S. major league team from NPB.
To mark his retirement, the Chunichi Dragons have invited Chen to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Vantelin Dome on March 16 before an exhibition game leading into the upcoming NPB season.
Related topics: