"Secondary Vocational School" "There are many things I want to say to him..." Hirano respects Chen Yongji from his opponent's perspective

Chen Yongji. (Photo by reporter Liao Yaodong)

[Reporter Lin Youchen/Taichung Report] CITIC Brothers defeated the Unified Lions 8:2 yesterday and advanced to the Taiwan Competition with 3 wins and 2 losses in the post-season challenge. After the game, the brothers all lined up to say goodbye to the 43-year-old Lions star Yong-kee Chan, who was having his last dance this year.

In the last game of his career, Yong-kee Chan had a hit in the 9th inning, then left the game and paid tribute to the audience. After the game, the entire CITIC brothers, including former national team comrade Peng Zhengmin, lined up to pay tribute to Chen Yongji. It was one of the most touching scenes after the game.

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Brothers head coach Keiichi Hirano was photographed talking to Yong-kee Chan. Hirano said, "I have to say thank you for your hard work. Actually, I have a lot to say to him. He is a great player. He is very good at his age, and he is also very good at carrying the team's fourth bat and guarding first base."

Hirano pointed out that because the opponent had Chen Yongji, as an opponent, he felt the cohesion of the Lions team. "He has a lot to learn from. We were on the same team during the All-Star Game, and I have been paying attention to his games. I really hoped that he would continue to play."

Many players in the Brotherhood also paid tribute to Chen Yongji. Yesterday starting pitcher Zheng Haojun said: "I have watched my senior play since I was a child. Now I am standing on the same stage to see him retire honorably. He also played beautifully at the end. He deserves the applause." Zhan Zixian said: "He has contributed a lot to Taiwan and is worth learning from."