At a photo shoot in Taipei's Ximending district, Kuo Hong-chih (郭泓志) arrives dressed simply, relaxed but unmistakably focused. Years after his retirement, his movements still carry the rhythm and precision of a professional athlete. Off camera, his tone is calm and measured. He speaks of his past without embellishment—direct, almost understated.
“Baseball taught me one thing above all else,” he says. “Don't give up.”
A Career Shaped by Peaks and Valleys
This past July, when footage of a historic showdown—Wang Chienming (王建民) versus Kuo Hong-chih—appeared on the big screen during an All-Star Game, fans erupted. The home run was more than a highlight; it reopened a shared memory for an entire generation of Taiwanese baseball fans.
Kuo is often introduced as a “legend,” the first Taiwanese player to hit a home run in Major League Baseball. Yet when he reflects on his career, he gravitates less toward the glory than the struggle.
Leaving for the United States alone at 18. Being permanently removed from Taiwan's national youth team. Undergoing multiple ligament reconstruction surgeries. Spending years waiting in the minor leagues for a chance that might never come.
“Sometimes it's not about how hard you work,” he says evenly. “It's whether you can endure.”
If Life Could Start Over, He'd Return to One Game
In an exclusive interview with Storm Media, Kuo is asked a familiar but revealing question: *If you could relive one moment in your life, what would it be?*
He answers without hesitation.
“Eighteen years old. That game in Japan against Daisuke Matsuzaka.”
It was a youth-level matchup, but one that altered his trajectory. That appearance drew attention from overseas scouts and opened the door to his international career. “That game,” he says, “was what really opened the path for me.”
Two decades ago, opportunities for Taiwanese players were far scarcer than today. “My thinking back then was simple,” Kuo recalls. “I just didn't want to regret it later.”
Finding Balance Beyond the Mound
Kuo does not shy away from discussing the psychological weight carried by athletes. “When you're on the mound, in the end, you're facing yourself,” he says.
After retirement, he turned to the outdoors to regain balance. Hiking, camping, water sports—anything that brings him closer to nature. “In the mountains, your perspective widens,” he explains. “You calm down.”
To him, baseball and outdoor pursuits share the same essence: setting a goal, confronting yourself, and following through.
Turning His Focus to the Next Generation
As interest in Taiwanese baseball surges again—with rising attendance and growing public discussion—Kuo feels encouraged. “Players are working incredibly hard,” he says. “When people show up to support them, it helps the whole ecosystem.”
Having lived through baseball's harsher years, he now wants to pass on more than technique. This year, he partnered with Timberland to visit rural elementary schools, filming videos and sharing his story with children.
“I'm not telling them they have to become professional players,” he emphasizes. “I want them to know that facing difficulties is normal. What matters is whether you're willing to hold on.”
One Line for Young Players
His advice to today's athletes is disarmingly simple: “Stick with your dream. Don't reject yourself too quickly.”
Then, with a grin, he adds, “And if it gets really exhausting—watch the cheerleaders. It helps.”
It's lighthearted, but empathetic. Few understand better than Kuo what young players endure under the lights.
Kuo Hong-chih's playing days may be over, but he has chosen to remain close to the game—standing not on the mound, but beside the path. From the “undying phoenix” to a guidepost for the next generation, he has left behind something more lasting than records: the conviction that perseverance itself can light the way forward.
Original Article in Chinese
