Taiwanese Baseball Player Lin Shuyi Defends effort After Online Criticism
TAIPEI, Taiwan – Lin Shuyi, a professional baseball player for the Uni-President Lions, vehemently defended his dedication to the sport today, stating that accusations of a lack of effort are “equivalent to sentencing me to death.” The response comes after online criticism following a recent error during a game, which also led to the circulation of images of his wife and children on the internet – a advancement he described as deeply upsetting.
The controversy began after Lin Shuyi made an error on the field the day before yesterday. Despite the mistake, Lions head coach Eichi Hirano initially showed faith in the player, naming him the starting left fielder with one bat. Though, that game was rained out. Lin Shuyi expressed gratitude for Hirano’s initial trust,saying,”Thano is very grateful to Hirano for trusting me.” He afterward participated in specialized outfield training with the department coach. Today, he was not included in the starting lineup against Taiwan Steel, with Hirano citing strategic reasons for the decision.
Lin Shuyi clarified he is willing to accept criticism of his skills, but drew a firm line at questioning his attitude. “I can accept it if you say I’m bad or my skills are not good. Just practice it again, but if you say I have a bad attitude and no fighting spirit, I really can’t accept it,” he told the media, hoping to put the matter to rest with a clear clarification. The player’s emotional response highlights the intense pressure faced by professional athletes in Taiwan and the impact of public scrutiny, especially when it extends to their families.
