Chun-Yang Tsao

Chun-Yang Tsao (曹竣崵)

• Bats Right Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 198 lb.

• School Chinese Culture University
• High School Meiho High School

• Born March 29, 1976 in Tainan City Taiwan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Chun-Yang Tsao was a MVP in Taiwan and pitched for the Chinese Taipei National Team. His son Yu-Chi Tsao also pitched in the CPBL

Tsao was a star in the 1991 World Youth Championship, as he didn't allowed any runs and was named the best pitcher in the event. He also was part of the Taiwan national team in the 1995 Intercontinental Cup, but didn't pitch any games due to injuries. Tsao then represent Taiwan in the 1995 Universiade, Pacific Ocean Games and 1995 Asian Championship. He pitched a complete game against the Nicaragua in the Pacific Ocean Games with 15 strikeouts, and helped Chinese Taipei won the Silver. Chinese Taipei also took the Bronze in the Asian Championship. In 1997, Tsao pitched in the 1997 World Port Tournament, recorded a 3-0 record with an elite 1.96 ERA in 23 innings. He was named the best pitcher of the event. He also participated in the 1997 Asian Championship, won a game and was named the joint best pitcher with Japan's Kosei Shiba. Tsao didn't stop his step in international events, as he pitched in the 1998 Asian Games and the 1998 Baseball World Cup. He struggled at 0-3, 4.35 in the 1998 World Cup, tying Glen Morris and Byung-hyun Kim for the most losses. In the end of this year, the Uni-President Lions signed Tsao on December 31.

The talented young pitcher shocked the CPBL in 1999, as he collected 11 wins with 116 strikeouts, and led the league in shutouts (4) and complete games(6). Tsao even shut out his opponent three straight games, setting the league record. The third shutout was even a no-hitter game, the fifth CPBL no-hitter and second by a Taiwan native (after Chieh-Jen Yang) He won the Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove, All-Star Game MVP and CPBL MVP in his rookie year. He was the first player to win MVP and Rookie of the Year together in the CPBL; En-Yu Lin would be the next six years later. The Chunichi Dragons then bought out Tsao's contract and signed him with a 30-million yen contract.

However, the Tainan native didn't adapt to Japan's baseball. Tsao only pitched two games in the NPB, and allowed 6 runs in 5 2/3 innings. He spent the next two years in NPB Farm Leagues, and was released by the Dragons in 2002. The Lions brought Tsao back, then turned him into a relief pitcher. Tsao notched 16 saves with 2.48 ERA in 2003, and was selected into the All-Star game for the last time in his career. He was still effective as a middle-inning reliever, and played 38 games with 2.68 ERA in 93 1/3 innings the next year. Although Tsao regressed in 2005 as his ERA rose into 5.46, he came back soon in 2006. The veteran joined the rotation in that year, and was 3-7 with 13 starts. He came back to his familiar relief position in 2007, playing 44 games with 3.67 ERA. The Lions waived him as he allowed 5 hits in 1 1/3 innings in his first game of 2008.Brother Elephants signed Tsao in the middle of the season, and he pitched his last season with them. In 43 games of 2009, Tsao collected 5 holds, 4 saves and a 3.52 ERA. He then retired to became the Elephant's pitching coach.

Tsao coached the Elephants until 2011, and joined the Beijing Tigers for a year. He came back to his hometown in 2013 and the EDA Rhinos signed him as their new pitching coach. Tsao was fired when the Rhinos became the Fubon Guardians, and he became the coach of Taipei City University of Science & Technology until now.

Overall, Tsao was 27-30 with a 3.07 ERA, struck out 356 and pitched 541 2/3 innings in 8 seasons in the CPBL.

Source

• Taiwan Baseball Wiki
• CPBL.com Bio