英倫翻譯社/ Trsmaster

After almost a decade of trying to become a regular in the major leagues, Hu Chin-lung may be pursuing a new career path. A report says that the 28-year-old baseball player has become a regular on the driving range. Apparently Hu is trying to follow in his father’s footsteps and make a living in the game of golf. 

In the middle of next month Taiwan will compete for a spot in the World Baseball Classic. Coaches of the national team are eagerly recruiting local baseball players who are playing abroad. One such player they covet is Hu Chin-lung, but a report claims that Hu is giving up baseball for the game of golf.

Hu began his major league career in 2003 when he signed a US$150,000 contract with the Dodgers. He was called up in 2007 after four years in the minors, becoming the second Dodgers position player from Taiwan. But LA had a deep infield, and Hu ended up splitting time between the majors and minors. He joined the Mets in 2011, but his bat continued to be weak. Hu was out-righted and signed a minor league contract with the Indians in January of this year. Two months later he was released. He joined one of the independent leagues.

But Hu may pursue a new career. His father is a golf instructor, and swinging a golf club is much like swinging a baseball bat. Hu already can hit a golf ball over 300 yards and is taking 80 or so swings a day in New Mexico. It seems Hu is already making plans for his post-baseball life.

旅美好手胡金龍，傳出將放棄棒球，轉戰高爾夫的驚人消息，根據胡金龍的友人表示，胡金龍在美國奮鬥近十年，卻苦無發揮舞台，今年三月被印地安人釋出之後，轉往獨立聯盟，由於右眼視力出問題，右手有傷，加上父親是高球教練，胡金龍正在積極練習，力尋職業運動生涯的第二春。

The Detroit Tigers had their backs against the wall this morning as they faced the Giants in Game 4 of the World Series. The win would give San Francisco its second championship in three years. 

The fourth game of the World Series saw the Tigers take the lead with a long ball by triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera.

At last the Tigers could see a glimmer of hope. But it wouldn’t last long as the Giants would strike back and retake the lead.

National League batting champ Buster Posey blasted a two-run shot to put the Giants ahead. The Tigers would respond to the call with a solo shot of their own.

The Tigers were relying on the long ball to score, and in the bottom half of the ninth, Jhonny Peralta nearly had a walk-off homer.

The investment in the twin skyscrapers is part of an emerging trend of developers looking west in the capital city. Long considered an aging part of Taipei, capital inflows are giving new life to the area. 

Construction of the twin skyscrapers near Taipei Main Station is expected to create significant business opportunities. Past investments include K Mall, which is on Zhongxiao West Road next to Shin Kong Mitsukoshi and across from the Main Station. Shin Kong Life invested almost NT$4 billion in the first floor shopping area. Its rate of return has been 2.6 percent.

Billy Yen
Property Consultant
This is an excellent opportunity for an insurance company. Even if you have money, it doesn’t mean you can buy something with such a good rate of return.

If Taipei Main Station is at the center, to one side is East Taipei and Xinyi District, and to the other side is Ximending. Many businesspeople say the potential for growth in the western part of the city is limitless. Old hotels are being renovated and turned into mid-priced accommodation. They attract visitors from Hong Kong and Japan.

A foreign consortium including Japanese and Malaysian developers won the bid to operate the Gate of Taipei BOT project. Expected to be completed in 2017, the twin skyscrapers will integrate transportation links and become a new landmark in downtown Taipei.

Located near Taipei Main Station, these two plots of land, C1 and D1, are specially designated for the Gate of Taipei BOT project. In the past five years, this project has failed to attract successful bidders four times, though a new multi-national consortium has stepped forward to undertake what is being billed as the biggest development project in Taiwan’s history.

The consortium includes some of the top development companies in Northeast and Southeast Asia. It includes Japan’s Mori Group and Futsu Construction along with Malaysia’s IGB Corporation Behrad and Mid Valley City.

The total investment is expected to be around NT$70-80 billion with the total floor area reaching 158,000 pings. That is 1.5 times bigger than Taipei 101. Construction is expected to be completed in 2017 or 2018. 

The project includes the development of a shopping mall, office and an international hotel. It will integrate three different rail lines and highway buses and will serve as a terminal on the soon to be completed Taoyuan Airport MRT line. 

The new NBA season begins tomorrow morning, Taiwan time. Many are eager to see if Jeremy Lin can repeat his breakout season with his new team, the Houston Rockets. He’ll have help. The Rockets recently traded for star James Harden. 

The Rockets surprised many by executing a major trade just three days before the start of the new NBA season. They sent shooting guard Kevin Martin to the Thunder in exchange for talented guard James Harden. Many Rocket fans have cheered this move, bringing the big bearded player to their team which had previously lacked star talent.

James Harden
Rockets Guard
It happened pretty fast. I was at dinner and Sam Presti called me and said that I had been traded to the Rockets. I was kind of in shock but at the same time it’s a business you know. I feel great and I feel comfortable and in a great position.

The Thunder had been discussing a contract extension for Harden, offering him a four-year US$53 million dollar deal. Harden was unwilling to accept the offer, leaving the Thunder with little choice to part ways with their guard. With just a few days left in the pre-season, Harden joined the Rockets and will be paired with Jeremy Lin.