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 44) 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; born July 23, 1981, in Tainan, Taiwan) is a retired professional baseball pitcher. A pitcher is a player who throws the baseball from the mound to the catcher. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball (MLB) and later for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions and Fubon Guardians in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). When Kuo first played in MLB in 2005, he became the fourth player from Taiwan to join the league.

Playing Career Highlights

Joining the Los Angeles Dodgers

Kuo joined the Dodgers on June 19, 1999. He received a bonus of $1.25 million. However, he had elbow problems early on. He had two special surgeries called Tommy John surgery in 2000 and 2003. This surgery helps fix a damaged elbow ligament.

It wasn't until 2005 that Kuo could pitch regularly again. That year, he played 11 games for the Vero Beach Dodgers and 17 games for the Jacksonville Suns. He then made his big league debut on September 2, 2005, playing against the Colorado Rockies.

Starting as a Relief Pitcher

Kuo started the 2006 season as a relief pitcher. A relief pitcher comes into the game after the starting pitcher. He had some trouble in April and was sent to the Dodgers' Triple-A team, the Las Vegas 51s. In May and June, he improved his pitching.

The Dodgers decided to try him as a starting pitcher in July. A starting pitcher begins the game. This change helped him improve his control. In August, he had a great month with a very low ERA of 1.14. ERA measures how many earned runs a pitcher gives up per nine innings.

On September 8, 2006, Kuo made his first start in the major leagues. He pitched six innings without giving up any runs, helping the Dodgers win 5–0 against the New York Mets. He finished the season with a strong 2.59 ERA as a starter.

2007 Season and First Home Run

An injury during spring training kept Kuo from starting the 2007 season right away. But he soon returned to his role as a starting pitcher.

Kuo pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007

On June 12, 2007, Kuo hit a home run that traveled 412 feet! This made him the first Taiwanese player to hit a home run in MLB history. The Dodgers won that game 4–1, and Kuo earned his first win of the season.

2008 Season: A Top Reliever

In 2008, Kuo became a long-relief pitcher. He also helped in middle relief and set-up roles. A set-up pitcher usually pitches in the late innings before the closer.

On May 6, he pitched 3 and 2/3 innings without giving up any hits. He struck out 8 batters and earned his second win of the year. On August 14, he got his first career save by pitching two scoreless innings. A save is when a relief pitcher finishes a game and helps their team win.

Kuo finished the 2008 season with an impressive 2.14 ERA. He appeared in 42 games, mostly as a reliever. He struck out 96 batters in 80 innings. He led all National League relievers with an ERA of 1.69. Fans voted him the 2008 Setup Man of the Year on MLB.com.

2009 Season: Returning Strong

Kuo started the 2009 season in the Dodgers' bullpen. He had an elbow injury in May but returned in July. He pitched well in 35 games, finishing with a 3.00 ERA.

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. This amazing 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. A closer is a relief pitcher who finishes the game and tries to get the final outs.

Kuo with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010

On October 3, 2010, Kuo pitched a scoreless 9th inning, earning his 12th save of the season. He also set a new Dodgers team record with an ERA of 1.20, which was the lowest for any pitcher with at least 50 innings pitched. He finished the 2010 season leading all Major League relievers with that 1.20 ERA. He had 12 saves in 13 chances.

2011 Season and Leaving MLB

Kuo pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011 Spring Training

Kuo had some challenges in 2011. He spent time on the disabled list with a back strain. He also needed a break due to feeling unwell. He returned in August but struggled with his pitching. He finished the season with a higher ERA of 9.00.

After the season, Kuo had his fifth elbow operation. The Dodgers decided not to offer him a new contract, and he became a free agent.

Kuo pitching for the Seattle Mariners in 2012 Spring Training

In 2012, Kuo signed a contract with the Seattle Mariners but was released before the season started. He then signed with the Chicago Cubs but did not play for them.

Playing in Taiwan

On September 27, 2013, Kuo signed with the Uni-President Lions in Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He played for them until 2016.

Kuo pitching for the San Diego Padres in 2017 Spring Training

In 2017, he briefly signed with the San Diego Padres in MLB but was released. On July 11, 2017, Kuo signed with the Fubon Guardians in the CPBL. He made 20 appearances that year.

In 2018, Kuo played in 37 games for the Guardians. He announced his retirement from professional baseball on October 22, 2018, after his team lost in the playoffs.

International Games

Kuo in 2013

Kuo also played for the Chinese Taipei national baseball team in several international competitions:

• 2002 Asian Games
• 2006 World Baseball Classic
• 2006 Asian Games
• 2013 World Baseball Classic

Pitching Style

Even after five elbow surgeries, Kuo was a very strong pitcher. He could throw his fastball very fast, sometimes up to 97-98 miles per hour! His fastball also had late movement, making it hard for batters to hit. He also threw a sharp slider, a curveball, and a changeup. His speed and accuracy made him a tough pitcher to face. In 2006, his fastball was even clocked at 99 miles per hour.

Personal Life

Kuo's nephew, Lin Chen-wei, also became a baseball player. He was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023.

See also

In Spanish: Hong-Chih Kuo para niños

• List of Major League Baseball players from Taiwan