Tseng Hao-jiu is set to resume his role as manager of Taiwan’s national team for next year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC), following his leadership during a challenging qualifier series in February.
Taiwan’s CPBL, which oversees the national team, announced Tseng’s return on Monday.
His appointment was supported by the Rakuten Monkeys — Tseng’s CPBL club — who called the invitation “a recognition of [his] expertise.”
Photo: Weng Jui-kun, CNA
The Monkeys in a statement on Monday said that they had reached an agreement with Tseng for him to prioritize the ongoing CPBL season, after which he would fully commit to the national team in preparing for the WBC.
The CPBL said that scouting efforts are already under way, and the team’s support staff would begin operations later this month.
The national team would hold their first monthly meeting next month, while training is set to begin in mid-January next year — earlier than usual — at Tseng’s request, the league said.
Tseng earned widespread praise for leading a modestly assembled roster to victory in the WBSC Premier12 in November last year, delivering Taiwan their first-ever world championship in a major senior-level tournament of the national sport.
Following that success, he was appointed manager for this year’s WBC Qualifiers, where Taiwan faced Spain, Nicaragua and South Africa in Taipei in February, vying for two tournament spots.
Despite high expectations, the team initially struggled — narrowly avoiding a mercy rule loss to Spain in its opener — but rebounded with a win in a rematch to secure the final qualifying berth.
In a vote of confidence after the qualifiers, CPBL commissioner Tsai Chi-chang said Tseng remained the best candidate for the job.
Tseng, citing intense pressure, declined to make an immediate decision, saying he needed time to rest.
On March 22, he confirmed he was willing to take the job again, pending discussions with the Monkeys to strike a balance between club and national duties.
“This opportunity was offered by the commissioner, the league and other officials who made our achievement possible,” Tseng said.
“All the players and coaches contributed to this honor, so yes, I’m absolutely willing to take on this mission,” he said.
Next year’s WBC would take place in early March, with Taiwan joining reigning champions Japan, along with Australia, South Korea and the Czech Republic in Pool C.
The team roster is expected to be finalized in early February next year, the CPBL said.
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