MLB Player Profile: Bruce Chen
He is of Chinese descent but like every talented player, he commands immense respect in the sporting world of the United States. It is never wrong to assert that sport transcends nationalities or the supposedly impregnable borders. Bruce Chen, the Major
League Baseball pitcher representing the Kansas City Royals is a case in point.
Born in Panama on June 19, 1977, this fascinating player’s career has spanned for over 12 years now. Interestingly, he has played for 10 teams all these years with starting his career in 1999 for the Atlanta Braves. For a baseball player, having represented
so many teams amounts to notching up something that can only be envied and held with tireless zeal.
That is what brings him forward as a player to be admired. Such is the admiration for him that he has led an avid group of passionate fans called “The Chen Pen”. Bruce Chen has never ceased to adding a new flavour to this game with the variations that he
produces. From 87-90 mph fastball to 12-6 slow curveball, his technique constantly undergoes changes that makes him a distinct pitcher.
Although Kansas City Royals have struggled a great deal in the ongoing Major League Baseball season, this veteran continues to do something beyond ordinary to keep the team floating. It is for this reason that the team wants to retain the left-handed pitcher.
He is traditionally known for being a flawless strike-out pitcher.
As there were some reports that he might soon be traded of or he himself may consider retirement, Bruce Chen wants to go ahead with all that he can offer as a player. Even though this massively talented player has seen the ups and downs of his career, his
is a presence that fills the team with hope.
“Well, I’m still playing, and there are a lot of things that could still happen, but yes, I know that I haven’t had the best [career] But even though there have been a lot of ups and downs, I’m very proud of my perseverance and the type of character that
I think I’ve shown.”
Bruce Chen admits that with the deterioration in the performance, you may even be seen the door if the consistency is not maintained. With the amalgamation of the positives and the negatives, Bruce Chen, the 34-year-old Kansas City Royals pitcher, wants
the positives be the dominant ones at the end.
With the challenges that invariably come, Bruce Chen has kept his morale high and wishes to continue it. “Baseball is such a hard sport. It’s always negative, like if you walk a guy, or if you’re not pitching well, or if your arm hurts -- there are so many
negatives, so I try to make it as positive as possible.”
While he has played 310 games in his career spanning for over a decade now, he has won 57 games for the teams he has been part of with 855 strike-outs, having 1.40 WHIP while the ERA – though not enviably impressive – has been 4.59.
However, his 2011 regular season reads well with 18 games that Bruce Chen has played so far. Having pitched 107 innings in 18 games, he is credited with 9 wins with 1.38 WHIP and 4.12 ERA. He has had a phenomenal 70 strike-outs so far in this season alone.
Chen is a highly competitive and respected player in the MLB. His contribution the Kansas City Royals is immense, as he has managed to anchor the struggling team with his own personal performances. The Royals will be looking to Chen as they try to salvage
what is left of the regular season and look towards next season.
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