Rakuten Monkeys Secure 2025 CPBL Taiwan Series Championship
The Rakuten Monkeys have officially claimed the 2025 Taiwan Series trophy, defeating the CTBC Brothers 9-7 in Game 5 at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on October 27th.
This victory marks the conclusion of a hard-fought season and a significant triumph for the team. The championship is the franchise’s eighth CPBL title overall, and the first since the team joined the Rakuten family in 2020.
The Championship Run: Navigating the Postseason
The Monkeys clinched a post-season spot by finishing third place overall. From there, they began their ascent to the championship, pleasantly surprising baseball fans across Taiwan and around the world by besting second-place Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions to match up against last year’s champions, the CTBC Brothers.
Right off the bat, the Monkeys seized an early command of the Taiwan series, defeating the Brothers in the first two games 3-0 and 2-1. Though the Brothers managed a 2-0 victory in Game 3, the Monkeys once again demonstrated their strength in Game 4, triumphing 3-1. This crucial win extended their series lead to an imposing 3-1.
While Game 5 shifted the scene to the Brothers’ home turf in Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, the Monkeys entered the final game with decisive momentum. Their remarkable resilience shone through as they closed a four-run gap, bringing the score to a 7-7 deadlock and pushing the game into extra innings.
The championship clinching moment arrived in the top of the 11th inning when, with a runner on first, veteran Lin Hung-yu launched a clutch two-run homer deep into left field, securing the Monkeys’ fourth and final win in the best-of-seven series and the championship title.
Celebrating the victory
Following their milestone victory, the Rakuten Monkeys celebrated their championship with a triumphant parade through Taoyuan City. Thousands of jubilant fans filled the streets, cheering on their heroes and creating a festive atmosphere of shared triumph. The celebration continued with a special fan appreciation event, allowing attendees to directly share their happiness and support with the players.
Team captain Li Lin, whose leadership was pivotal throughout the season, thanked attendees at the fan appreciation event: “I know that everyone waited six years for the Rakuten Monkeys to take home the title, so I want to thank you for continuing to support us through thick and thin. Please continue to cheer your hardest for us, and we will continue to work our hardest to win every game.”
Veteran catcher Hung-Yu Lin also shared his thoughts: “Thank you to all the fans for sticking with us throughout this season; while we might not have always performed exactly like we wanted, we united and came together.”
He concluded with a firm promise to the fans: “I just want to say that we hear loud and clear. You’re united, and so are we. And I hope we will continue to be a team that the city of Taoyuan can be proud of.”
This championship is a true team effort, reflecting the relentless spirit of every player, the guidance of the coaching staff, the tireless support behind the scenes, and the passionate belief of the fans. This triumph marks yet another milestone for the team, empowering them to build on this success and continue the winning tradition in seasons to come.
