Rakuten Monkeys host Asia Professional Baseball Exchange Series in Taiwan
From November 7-9, 2025, baseball fans filled the Taoyuan Rakuten Baseball Stadium for the inaugural Asia Professional Baseball Exchange Series in Taiwan. Hosted by the Taoyuan City Government, the event brought together Taiwan’s Rakuten Monkeys, Japan’s Rakuten Golden Eagles and Korea’s KT Wiz, representing the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
Fans were treated to a rare opportunity to witness world-class baseball on home soil, with over 22,000 spectators cheering from the stands. The series officially began with a press conference on November 6, where the mayor of Taoyuan highlighted the city’s goal of promoting baseball culture and sports tourism. Representatives from all three teams shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming games, the chance to showcase their teams’ unique playing styles and the opportunity to compete in a truly international setting.
With anticipation building, the stage was perfectly set for three days of compelling baseball at the Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium.
Game highlights
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles vs. KT Wiz
The opening game saw the Rakuten Golden Eagles take on the KT Wiz, marking the first NPB-KBO matchup in Taiwan in over a decade. Both teams’ pitchers delivered strong performances, keeping the game close until the fourth inning, when the Golden Eagles scored first. The Wiz responded in the fifth, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw after nine innings. Golden Eagles’ Kosei Koga was named the MVP for his five shutout innings.
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles vs. Rakuten Monkeys
The much anticipated “Rakuten Derby” featured the Monkeys against their sister team, the Golden Eagles. Despite an early lead by the Eagles, the Monkeys rallied in the fifth and seventh innings, led by slugger Chao-Hung Chang. His game-tying double in the fifth and decisive two-run hit in the seventh helped the Monkeys secure a 3-1 victory. Chang earned MVP honors, marking a proud moment for the Monkeys and their fans.
Rakuten Monkeys vs. KT Wiz
In the final game of the series, the Monkeys faced an early 2-0 deficit against the KT Wiz. Spurred on by their home crowd, they mounted a determined comeback. Chao-Hung Chang narrowed the gap in the fourth and hit a two-run home run in the fifth to put the Monkeys ahead. The Wiz tied the game in the top of the sixth, but Tzu-Chieh Liu responded immediately with a two-run homer to reclaim the lead. The Monkeys added another run in the eighth, securing a 6-3 victory and their second win of the series. Liu’s timely home run earned him MVP honors, highlighting the team’s resilience and fighting spirit.
Fostering talent and collaboration
The Asia Professional Baseball Exchange Series not only showcased elite competition, but it also served as a platform for growth and connection. Many players, including rising stars from each team’s second squad, gained valuable experience competing against top-tier international opponents. For the Rakuten Monkeys, this offered a unique opportunity to cultivate the next generation of talent while delighting their home fans with standout performances.
The series also strengthened ties across Asian baseball leagues, fostering cultural exchange and sporting collaboration. By bringing together CPBL, NPB and KBO teams, the event highlighted the diversity and skill of Asian baseball while raising the sport’s profile across the region. Through these cross-league matchups, the Monkeys and their counterparts contributed to a dynamic future for the game, promising more thrilling encounters and enduring connections in seasons to come.
