Guardians Signed CPBL’s Best Manager

Now, this is some offseason news nobody saw it coming. On the night of December 6, out of nowhere, the Fubon Guardians announced the signing of 洪一中 (Hong I-Chung) as their manager for the 2020 CPBL season.

“I want to build another dynasty with the Fubon Guardians,” said the new Guardians’ manager Hong I-Chung. “It’s a new environment and also a new challenge for me.”

Hong I-Chung, who is considered to be the best manager in the CPBL, has been in charge of the La New Bears / Lamigo Monkeys since 2004. Over the past 15 seasons, he led his team to seven Taiwan Series Championships and is currently the CPBL record holder for most games won as a manager with 884 wins.

Guardians’ 3-Year Deal to Sealed the Deal

According to Hong I-Chung, the Guardians’ offered him a three-year contract, while Rakuten (Lamigo Monkeys) only offered him one year.

“The key factor is the multi-year contract,” said the new Guardians’ manager. “I asked Rakuten for a multi-year deal before, at the end of the day, I have to look after myself.”

While the Fubon Guardians did not mention Hong I-Chung’s salary, there are rumours Hong is now the highest-paid manager in the CPBL history. According to ETtoday, Hong’s annual salary with the Guardians is roughly $240,000 USD, which is double of what Rakuten (Lamigo) had offered to him.

Apple Daily reported the Chinatrust Brothers also attempted to sign Hong I-Chung with a two-year deal. Rakuten (Lamigo) initially offered Hong a one year deal plus two years options.

Hong I-Chung to Rebuild Guardians’ Coaching Team

With the signing of Hong I-Chung, at the same time, the Guardians also let go five of its existing first-team coaching team. Hong is expected to rebuild the Guardians’ first-team coaching team with full support from the organisation.

“Timing is quite tight at the moment,” said Hong I-Chung. “I hope to sort out the coaching team around mid-January, but nothing is set in stone at this stage.”

According to UDN Sports, the Guardians are also in contact with several other Lamigo Monkeys’ coaches. The headhunting process is unlikely to stop at Hong I-Chung.

As of today, the Guardians have the following positions up for grab:

  • Manager: Filled by Hong I-Chung
  • Bench Coach: ?
  • Hitting Coach: ?
  • Defence Coach: ?
  • Baserunning Coach: ?
  • Advance Scout: ?

6 COMMENTS

  1. Are multi-year contracts guaranteed in the CPBL? Hong is a terrible manager.

    1st and 2nd, no out, no matter the deficit, here comes the bunt. And it fails every time. Pathetic. It’s not 1990.

    I assume he’s always had superior talent. No other way to account for his success.

    • I guess just need some time for him and the team to get used to one another. Fubon Guardians had a history of players wanting to do their own things and not being cooperative with manager. So we will see what happen.

      Hong didn’t always had the best team back in the days, he went through the La New Bears phase too.

      As for bunting, Hong was not a bunting manager back in the days, so I don’t know why he started to bunt so much after switching over to the Guardians.

      Hong is good at finding a spot for the right player regardless of their seniority.

  2. I hope so. 胡金龍 really bailed him out today after that overly-cautious bunt disaster.

    I understand that 林哲瑄 has some sort of injury, and he’s their best fielder, but some of the defensive choices are also questionable.

    蔣智賢 in right-field is a disaster. He really should play 3B as 范國宸 isn’t very strong there.

    高國麟 is not a strong left-fielder either, but I suppose everyone can’t play DH.

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