Shih-Chiang Chao

Shih-Chiang Chao (趙士強)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 209 lb.

• School Chinese Cultural University
• High School Meiho High School

• Born October 21, 1960 in Taichung City Taiwan

Shih-Chiang Chao was a player and manager in Taiwan.

Chao was an All-Star in the 1982 Amateur World Series, leading the event in average (.531), hits (17, tied with Charles Urbanus Jr. and Doug McPhail) and doubles (7). The other outfielders picked were McPhail and Jordan Berge. He was named the All-Star DH in the 1983 Intercontinental Cup as well. Those performances drew the interest of MLB scouts, including from the Cincinnati Reds, but Chao decided to remain an amateur so he could play in the Olympics.

Chao attended the 1983 Asian Championship, and slashed a walk-off home run off Chikafusa Ikeda to secure a spot in 1984 Olympics for Taiwan. Chao missed the 1984 Amateur World Series with back problems then struggled in the 1984 Olympics, causing scouts from MLB to lose interest. He signed with Honda in Japan's industrial leagues and played for them.

Chao was a manager by the late 1980s with the Wei Chuan Dragons but liver disease in 1989 at age 28 caused him to step down before the opening of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He got his managerial chance in a major pro circuit in 1997 with the Chianan Luka of the Taiwan Major League, going 53-42 and winning Manager of the Year honors. He managed the Taichung Agan in 1998 and the Macoto Gida in 1999-2000, winning Manager of the Year both times. In 2003, he guided the Macoto Cobras.

He has also done baseball commentary for events such as the 2002 Asian Games and 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Primary Source: Chinese Wiki Baseball