BASEBALL/Chiang Kun-yu named CPBL's most popular all-star

Taipei, June 22 (CNA) CTBC Brothers shortstop Chiang Kun-yu (江坤宇) was voted the most popular all-star of Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) as it officially announced the rosters for its 2026 All-Star Game weekend on Monday.

Chiang received 579,003 online votes, making him the league's most popular player for the second consecutive year and the third time overall after previously earning the distinction in 2023 and 2025, the league said at a press conference for the event in Taipei.

The CPBL also announced Rakuten Monkeys manager Tseng Hao-jiu (曾豪駒) as manager of the fan-voted Team Star, while Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions coach Kao Chih-kang (高志綱) will lead Team Taiwan. The two teams will play two games at the Taipei Dome on July 18 and 19.

Team Taiwan, built around players eligible for the 2026 Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC), is expected to serve as a preview of the squad that will represent Taiwan at the tournament later this year.

Chiang, who was unable to attend the press conference because he is expecting the birth of his child, thanked fans in a prerecorded message.

"I'm very happy to be voted the most popular player again," Chiang said. "Thank you to all the fans who voted for me. We'll continue to work hard and perform for the fans."

The online voting was dominated by CTBC Brothers players, who occupied all 10 top spots in the popularity rankings. Brothers second baseman Yueh Tung-hua (岳東華) finished second with 572,358 votes, followed by outfielder Sung Sheng-jui (宋晟睿) with 520,351.

In all, seven starters on Team Star will be CTBC players, even though the team is currently in last place in the six-franchise CPBL with an 18-34 record.

The popularity of the team's players likely reflects its long-term success, having won 10 CPBL Taiwan Series Championships, tied with the Uni-Lions for the most by any franchise.

Also, the team had the league's best regular season record last year.

CPBL Commissioner Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) said the focus of the All-Star Games should not be the results on the field.

"It's an opportunity for the baseball family to show fans a different side of the players and moments that are not usually seen during regular games," he said.

A special feature of this year's event is that each team will be joined by three retired legends, who will play in one or both of the games. Among them will be former Uni-President Lions first baseman Kao Kuo-ching (高國慶).

Meanwhile, Brothers right-hander Nivaldo Rodriguez, who was selected as a replacement All-Star pitcher, joked through an interpreter that he hopes to compete in one of the hitting contests and become "Venezuela's Shohei Ohtani."

Asked about his previous hitting experience, Rodriguez replied: "I've never hit before, but I'll give it a try."

Team Taiwan infielder Wang Nian-hao (王念好) also drew laughs when he said he has played every defensive position except center field and hopes to get at least one out there during one of the All-Star Games.

Manager Kao Chih-kang responded that the team would test the idea before taking the field.