Chin-Lung Hu
A slick-fielding shortstop from Taiwan, he broke into the Majors and carried the shortest surname in baseball history on his jersey.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Taiwanese baseball player·Birthday: February 2·Millennials
Biography
Chin-Lung Hu's name, just two letters, was a headline in itself, but his journey to Major League Baseball was a much longer story of perseverance. Born in Tainan, Taiwan, in 1984, Hu was a defensive wizard at shortstop, his quick hands and strong arm making him a standout. Signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003, he became a fixture in the minors, known for his glove and a bat that showed flashes of promise. When he debuted for the Dodgers in 2007, he wasn't just another call-up; he was the fifth Taiwanese player to reach the majors, and the first infielder, carrying the hopes of a baseball-mad island. His MLB stint was brief—parts of four seasons with the Dodgers and Mets—defined more by spectacular defensive plays than sustained offensive production. Returning to Taiwan's CPBL, he enjoyed a long and successful career as a star for the EDA Rhinos (later Fubon Guardians) and Uni-President Lions. While his major league stat line was modest, Hu's legacy is as a pioneer who proved that a Taiwanese infielder could compete on the world's biggest baseball stage.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Chin-Lung was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chin-Lung Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Chin-Lung's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first Taiwanese-born infielder to play in Major League Baseball when he debuted with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007.
- Won a Gold Glove award in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in 2016 for his defensive excellence.
- Played in 92 MLB games across four seasons, recording a .176 batting average with 2 home runs and 15 RBIs.
- Was a key player for the Fubon Guardians in Taiwan's CPBL, helping the team to multiple playoff appearances.
Did You Know?
His surname, 'Hu', is the shortest possible surname in MLB history, appearing as just 'Hu' on his jersey.
He was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 2003.
In the minors, he was a Pacific Coast League Post-Season All-Star in 2007.
He played for the Chinese Taipei national baseball team in multiple international tournaments, including the World Baseball Classic.
“My glove was my voice on the field; I let it speak for me.”
