Hung I-chung becomes first CPBL manager to reach 2,000 games

Taipei, April 14 (CNA) TSG Hawks manager Hung I-chung (洪一中) has etched his name further into Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) history by becoming the first manager to lead 2,000 games.

Already the only CPBL manager with more than 1,000 wins, Hung reached the milestone during a 4-2 win over the Fubon Guardians on Sunday at New Taipei's Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium. The victory also ended a three-game skid for the Hawks, powered by first baseman Tu Chia-ming (杜家明).

Tu struck out in his first two at-bats but put the Hawks on the board in the seventh with a leadoff solo homer. The team tied the game later that inning, and Tu delivered again in the 10th with a two-RBI double, earning MVP honors for the game.

Tu said the performance "means even more" to him as it came in Hung's 2,000th game. The veteran manager, however, described the journey as "2,000 painful experiences."

"I would not be a manager if I were asked to choose again. This process is too painful," Hung said.

The 63-year-old began his managerial career in June 2004 with the La New Bears (now the Rakuten Monkeys) and has since compiled a record of 1,044 wins, 921 losses and 35 draws. His seven CPBL championships and seven Manager of the Year awards are both league records.

Looking back, Hung said the first two to three seasons of his career as a manager were the most formidable, as poor team performance often led others to question his abilities.

He joked that winning a title can buy a manager two more seasons: "I was lucky to win in my third year, or I might've been fired otherwise."

Hung said the pressure of managing was often overwhelming, especially during tough stretches. "When things were really bad, I didn't even want to get out of bed until the last minute."

He thanked Hung Teng-sheng (洪騰勝) and Liu Bao-you (劉保佑), owners of the Brother Elephants and the Bears, respectively, for their support during his stint with the teams as he grew from a player into the managerial role.

The 2025 season has been a rough start for Hung, whose team lost its first three games for the first time in his 19-year managerial career. With a record of 4-7, the Hawks are currently tied for last place in the six-team league alongside the Guardians.

The Hawks finished their inaugural CPBL major season in 2024 with a league-worst 49-70-1 record.

Despite recent struggles, Hung said he sees a sense of unity in the TSG franchise reminiscent of his time with the Lamigo Monkeys, the predecessor of the Rakuten Monkeys. "Everyone here is willing to share and support one another," he said.

Even amid slumps, Hung said the team's leadership provides reassurance. "The franchise owner would say, 'No worries. Just do your best,' and that takes a lot of pressure off."

No games are scheduled for Monday. The Hawks will travel to Taichung for a two-game series against the Brothers, while the Wei Chuan Dragons will host the Monkeys for two games at Taipei Dome.