00:04A grand reception for celebrated heroes.
00:08Taiwan's national baseball squad lands back home
00:11after playing in the World Baseball Classic in Tokyo.
00:15Though they didn't manage to advance to the next round,
00:18fans are showing great appreciation for their effort.
00:30Taiwan ended its run at the tournament with a two-win-two-a-loss record.
00:35It was in a three-way tie with South Korea and Australia to advance to the next round.
00:41But the tiebreaker rules meant Korea qualified for the quarterfinals in Miami
00:45alongside undefeated group winners Japan.
00:49Even so, there's much for fans to celebrate.
00:52Taiwan set several records this time around,
00:54including beating South Korea for the first time ever in WBC history.
00:59I think Taiwan's national baseball squad turns the page.
01:10For some, this will be their final chapter.
01:1235-year-old pitcher Chen Guan Yu announced his international retirement,
01:17saying it was time to pass the torch to the next generation.
01:20Head coach Zheng Haoju made a similar announcement,
01:23hinting that he was ready to hang up his jersey for Team Taiwan.
01:26Both Chen and Zheng were part of Taiwan's first major international baseball tournament win
01:32at the Premier 12 in 2024.
01:36But even as goodbyes may be imminent,
01:39now is the time for Team Taiwan to bask in well-earned appreciation,
01:43sharing it with the fans who flew to Tokyo in droves
01:46to cheer the team on in person on the plane ride home.
01:50Team captain Chen Jie-xin got on the plane's PA to personally show his gratitude.
02:02For many of these players, the window for rest is short.
02:10Taiwan's domestic league will begin its season soon.
02:13While these players battled side-by-side in Tokyo,
02:17many of them will be playing with and against each other on the field again later this month.
02:23Lee Sin-sun and Leslie Liao for Taiwan Plus.
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