Hong-Chih Kuo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hong-Chih Kuo 郭泓志
Kuo with the Uni-President Lions in 2014
Pitcher
Born: (1981-07-23) July 23, 1981 (age 43) Tainan, Taiwan
Batted: Left Threw: Left
Professional debut
MLB: September 2, 2005, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
CPBL: April 19, 2014, for the Uni-President Lions
Last appearance
MLB: September 24, 2011, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
CPBL: October 22, 2018, for the Fubon Guardians
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	13–17
Earned run average	3.73
Strikeouts	345
Saves	13
CPBL statistics
Win–loss record	5–14
Earned run average	3.81
Strikeouts	147
Saves	31
Teams
Los Angeles Dodgers (2005–2011) Uni-President Lions (2014–2015) Fubon Guardians (2017–2018)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star (2010)
Medals Men's baseball Representing  Chinese Taipei Asian Games Silver 2002 Busan Team Gold 2006 Doha Team

Hong-Chih Kuo (Chinese: 郭泓志; pinyin: Guō Hóngzhì; Wade–Giles: Kuo1 Hung2 Chih4) is a retired professional baseball pitcher from Taiwan. He was born on July 23, 1981, in Tainan, Taiwan. Kuo played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball (MLB). He also played for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions and the Fubon Guardians in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). When he first played in MLB in 2005, he became the fourth player from Taiwan to do so.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting with the Los Angeles Dodgers

Kuo joined the Dodgers on June 19, 1999. He signed for a lot of money, but he had some elbow problems. He needed two special surgeries called Tommy John surgeries in 2000 and 2003. These surgeries help fix injured elbows for pitchers.

He finally got to pitch regularly in 2005. That year, he played for two minor league teams. Then, on September 2, 2005, he made his first appearance in Major League Baseball.

2006 Season: From Relief to Starter

Kuo started the 2006 season as a relief pitcher. This means he came into games after the starting pitcher. He struggled a bit at first and was sent to a minor league team.

Later, the Dodgers decided to try him as a starting pitcher. They hoped this would help him improve his control. On September 8, 2006, Kuo made his first start in the major leagues. He pitched six innings without letting the other team score. He finished the season with a very good 2.59 ERA as a starter.

2007 Season: A Historic Home Run

An injury during spring training kept Kuo from starting the 2007 season right away. But he soon became a starting pitcher again.

Kuo pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007

On June 12, 2007, Kuo hit a home run that went 412 feet! This was a big moment because he became the first Taiwanese player to hit a home run in MLB. The Dodgers won that game 4–1.

2008 Season: A Top Reliever

In 2008, Kuo became a long-relief pitcher. This means he could pitch several innings if the starting pitcher left the game early. He also sometimes pitched in the middle of games or helped set up the closer.

On August 14, he got his first career save. A save happens when a pitcher finishes a close game without letting the other team score. Kuo ended the 2008 season with an excellent 2.14 ERA. He was especially good as a reliever, with a 1.69 ERA. He was even named the "Setup Man of the Year" by fans on MLB.com.

2009 Season: Overcoming Injury

Kuo started the 2009 season in the Dodgers' bullpen. However, he injured his elbow again and had to take time off. He came back in July and pitched well for the rest of the season.

2010 Season: All-Star and Record Breaker

Kuo greeted by teammates after getting Miguel Cabrera to tap out to Kuo with the bases loaded in 2010

In the first half of 2010, Kuo set a record by not allowing any hits to 36 left-handed batters in a row. His great performance earned him a spot in the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He was the first Taiwanese-born player to be an All-Star!

Later in the season, Kuo became the Dodgers' closer. This is the pitcher who finishes the game in the ninth inning. On October 3, 2010, he set a new Dodgers team record. He finished the season with an amazing 1.20 ERA, which was the best for any pitcher with at least 50 innings pitched.

Kuo with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010

Kuo finished the 2010 season with a 3–2 record. He led all Major League relievers with his 1.20 ERA. He struck out 73 batters and had 12 saves.

2011 Season: Challenges and Retirement

Kuo pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011 Spring Training

Kuo faced some challenges in 2011. He struggled with health issues and anxiety. He spent time on the disabled list and did not pitch as well as before. His ERA went up to 9.00.

After the season, he had his fifth elbow surgery. The Dodgers decided not to offer him a new contract.

Playing for Other Teams

After leaving the Dodgers, Kuo tried to play for other teams.

• He signed with the Seattle Mariners in 2012 but was released.
• He then signed with the Chicago Cubs but was also released.
• In 2013, he signed with the Uni-President Lions in Taiwan's CPBL.
• In 2017, he signed with the San Diego Padres in MLB but was released soon after.
• Finally, he signed with the Fubon Guardians in Taiwan.

On October 22, 2018, Hong-Chih Kuo announced his retirement from professional baseball.

International Career

Kuo in 2013

Kuo also played for the Chinese Taipei national baseball team in many international events. These included:

• The 2002 Asian Games (where he won a silver medal)
• The 2006 World Baseball Classic
• The 2006 Asian Games (where he won a gold medal)
• The 2013 World Baseball Classic

Pitching Style

Even after five elbow surgeries, Kuo was a very strong pitcher. He could throw his fastball very fast, often around 97-98 miles per hour. He also threw a sharp slider, a curveball, and a changeup. His speed and how well he threw his pitches made it very hard for batters to hit his balls.

Personal Life

Hong-Chih Kuo has a nephew named Lin Chen-wei. Lin Chen-wei was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team in 2023.

See also

In Spanish: Hong-Chih Kuo para niños

• List of Major League Baseball players from Taiwan