Dai-Kang Yang

2.1. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

Yang began his professional career with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball. In the 2005 NPB high school draft, both the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks vied for him in the first round. Although an initial announcement mistakenly declared SoftBank as the winner, the Fighters ultimately secured his negotiation rights through a lottery. Despite his initial desire to join SoftBank, where his elder brother Yang Yao-Hsun was expected to play, Yang Dai-Kang was persuaded by the Fighters' earnest negotiations and a visit to Hokkaido, making him the highest-drafted Taiwanese player in NPB history at the time. He was initially assigned uniform number 24.

He was called up to the Fighters' first team on April 19, 2007, and gained experience by playing in 55 games, primarily as a shortstop and third baseman, while batting .239. In 2008, he excelled in the minor league, batting .342 with 8 home runs and 7 stolen bases, earning titles for best on-base percentage and slugging percentage in the Eastern League. Around June 2009, he transitioned from an infielder to an outfielder to leverage his strong arm. In December 2009, the team announced his name change from "Yang Chung-shou" to "Yang Dai-Kang."

In 2010, he became a regular right fielder, playing a career-high 109 games. In 2011, he made his first Opening Day roster and started his first opening game. He consistently played as a cleanup hitter, and after Kenji Tanaka's injury, he often played as the leadoff hitter. He reached the qualified plate appearances for the first time but led the league in strikeouts. In 2012, he converted to center field, a move that proved successful, leading him to his first Golden Glove Award, surpassing even Yoshio Itoi in votes for the Pacific League outfielders. He was also selected for his first All-Star Game via fan vote, hitting a leadoff home run in his first All-Star at-bat in Game 1, a feat only achieved by one other player in history. He also earned MVP honors in Game 3. On August 8, he faced his elder brother, Yang Yao-Hsun, in a professional game for the first time, hitting a single off him. He achieved a personal best of .287 batting average, 7 home runs, and 55 RBIs, playing in every game as the only player in the league to do so. After the season, he renewed his contract for 92.00 M JPY and changed his uniform number to 1.

The 2013 season was a standout year for Yang. He was selected for the 2013 World Baseball Classic Chinese Taipei national team, wearing number 1, and helped Taiwan advance to the second round, earning the Pool B MVP. In NPB, he played in all games for the second consecutive year, leading the league with 93 runs scored and 47 stolen bases, earning his first-ever Stolen Base King title-the first Taiwanese player to win an NPB batting title in 19 years since Tai-Ho Oh in 1994. He also recorded a career-high 18 home runs and 67 RBIs. His on-base percentage significantly improved to .367. Following this successful season, he signed a two-year contract worth an estimated 400.00 M JPY.

In 2014, Yang maintained strong offensive performance with a .293 batting average, 25 home runs (5th in the league), and 85 RBIs (4th in the league), despite missing time due to a left knee laceration and right shoulder pain. He recorded a league-leading .379 batting average with runners in scoring position. He also received his third consecutive Golden Glove Award, with the highest number of votes among outfielders, a feat achieved by only two other players in history. In 2015, injuries continued to affect his performance, limiting him to 86 games with a .259 batting average, 7 home runs, and 36 RBIs, primarily due to a right thigh strain and a left scaphoid fracture.

In 2016, Yang bounced back, playing a full season and maintaining a .293 batting average with 14 home runs. Despite suffering a cracked rib in mid-August, he continued to play, showcasing exceptional defense, including a game-saving catch in a crucial match against the SoftBank Hawks in September that helped the Fighters secure the league championship. He earned his fourth Golden Glove Award for his defensive prowess. Following the Fighters' victory in the 2016 Japan Series, Yang declared free agency, a decision that effectively marked his departure from the team after 11 years. Several teams, including the Orix Buffaloes, Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, and Yomiuri Giants, showed interest in acquiring him.

2.2. Yomiuri Giants

On December 14, 2016, Yang officially agreed to join the Yomiuri Giants. He signed a five-year contract worth an estimated total of 1.50 B JPY and was assigned uniform number 2 (Giants' number 1 is Sadaharu Oh's retired number). His signing press conference on December 19 attracted significant media attention, including 12 reporters from seven Taiwanese media outlets, requiring a Taiwanese language interpreter. This substantial contract value for a player who had not achieved a .300 batting average in 10 NPB seasons was reportedly influenced by the Giants' aim to capitalize on his immense popularity in Taiwan and expand their business interests there.

In 2017, Yang declined to participate in the 2017 World Baseball Classic to focus on his first season with the Giants. He missed the start of the regular season due to a lower-body injury, making his season debut on June 6. While he had a strong August as the leadoff hitter, his performance declined in September, ending the season with a .264 batting average and 9 home runs in 87 games. He was selected for the 2017 Asia Professional Baseball Championship Chinese Taipei team.

The 2018 season saw Yang begin as the leadoff center fielder, but he suffered a left hand fracture from a hit-by-pitch on April 3, sidelining him for over two months. Upon his return, he struggled to secure a regular starting spot, finishing with a .245 batting average, 10 home runs, and 37 RBIs in 87 games. Despite his struggles, he maintained the trust of manager Tatsunori Hara, who cited him as a key player for the team. On September 17, 2018, Yang hit his 100th career home run against the Chunichi Dragons at Tokyo Dome, a significant milestone he noted he was proud of as not typically being a home run hitter.

In 2019, with the addition of Yoshihiro Maru and the strong performance of Yoshiyuki Kamei, Yang's starts were often limited to games against left-handed pitchers, and he increasingly played right field instead of his accustomed center field. He became a valuable pinch-hitter, especially from the right side, recording a .394 batting average in pinch-hit situations. While he played over 100 games for the first time in three years with the Giants, his home run and RBI totals were the lowest of his tenure. He was not selected for the 2019 WBSC Premier12 Chinese Taipei team.

In 2020, Yang attempted to expand his versatility by trying out first base. However, he spent approximately three months in the minor leagues due to poor performance, limiting his appearances to 38 games and 77 plate appearances, both the second-lowest figures since his professional debut. His playing time further diminished in 2021, as he appeared in only 7 games with a .143 batting average, 0 home runs, and 0 RBIs. In the minor league, he played 56 games, batting .238 with 6 home runs and 22 RBIs. On November 25, 2021, Yang was released by the Giants. Despite his initial desire to remain with the team and the club's intention to re-sign him, Yang ultimately decided to leave.

2.3. North American Independent Leagues

Following his departure from NPB, Yang continued his career in North American independent leagues. On February 23, 2022, he signed with the Lake Country DockHounds of the American Association of Professional Baseball. In 79 games with the DockHounds, he slashed .260/.357/.432 with 9 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 7 stolen bases. He was released by Lake Country on February 14, 2023.

On March 6, 2023, Yang signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Although he started slowly, batting as low as .174, he rebounded strongly after returning from the injured list on June 16. After his return, he hit safely in nine consecutive games. He finished the season with 97 games played, a .271 batting average, 10 home runs, 58 RBIs, and an OPS of .793. After the independent league season, he also played in the Australian Baseball League for the Brisbane Bandits.

2.4. Oisix Niigata Albirex Baseball Club

On February 4, 2024, it was announced that Yang would join the Oisix Niigata Albirex Baseball Club, which began participating in the Eastern League that year. He declined an offer to serve as a player-coach, choosing instead to focus solely on his playing role. He was assigned uniform number 1. In 2024, he played in 72 games, recording a .232 batting average, 1 home run, and 13 RBIs. At the end of the 2024 season, he participated in the 12-team joint tryout, stating that he wanted to experience it as it was likely the last opportunity.

4.1. Batting

While Yang has demonstrated the ability to hit home runs to center field, he has stated his intention to focus on hitting to the opposite field. He has consistently shown an aggressive batting approach. A notable aspect of his hitting profile is his high strikeout rate; in all seasons where he qualified for plate appearances since becoming a regular in 2011, his strikeout count has exceeded 100. His career-high BB/K ratio was .49 in 2013. During his tenure with Nippon-Ham, he never achieved a .300 batting average in a qualified season, a goal he expressed a desire to achieve upon joining the Giants.

4.2. Fielding

Yang is highly regarded for his defensive abilities, especially in the outfield. He possesses an impressive throwing arm, capable of throws up to 361 ft ^{(110 m)}, and quick speed, running 50 meters in 5.9 seconds. These attributes contribute to his wide defensive range and quick reaction to batted balls. In 2013, he recorded a UZR of 13.3 as a center fielder, which was the league's best for players with over 400 innings played at the position. Hideki Kuriyama, his manager at Nippon-Ham, held his defense in high esteem, stating, "Dai-Kang's defense as a center fielder is probably the best in Japan right now. In addition to his wide range, his quick jumps on batted balls are superb. While Yoshio Itoi is also fast, Dai-Kang seems to react a half-step quicker."

5.1. Family and Background

Yang Dai-Kang comes from a family with a strong baseball legacy. His elder brother, Yang Yao-Hsun, is a former professional baseball player who also played in NPB, notably facing Dai-Kang in a game in 2012. His second elder brother, Yang Pin-Hua (formerly Yang Yao-Hua), was an infielder for independent league teams in Japan. His uncle, Yang Chieh-Jen, and cousin, Chang Yi, also became professional baseball players, with all four having experience playing in Japan (including Yang Chieh-Jen's time in Japanese corporate league baseball before turning pro in Taiwan). His younger sister, Yang Shih-Hui, is a professional basketball player for the Chinese Taipei women's national team. Additionally, other distant relatives, such as Yang Sen and Yang Chien-Fu, have played professionally in Taiwan. In 2017, it was reported that Yang had a financial dispute with his elder brother, Yang Yao-Hsun, leading to a strained relationship. Yang Dai-Kang is married to Hsieh Wan-Jung, a former model and TV personality. His family resides in Taiwan but frequently travels to Japan to support him during the baseball season.

5.2. Character and Anecdotes

Yang Dai-Kang is well-known for his signature catchphrase, "Thank you!" (サンキューで~す！_{San-kyū de~su!}^Japanese), which he often exclaims in a cheerful tone during post-game interviews with fans, reminiscent of Japanese comedian Shingo Fujimori. He maintains a close friendship with fellow baseball player Kazuo Matsui, with whom he shares meals at least once a year. In January 2015, they conducted joint off-season training in Los Angeles.

His walk-up song, Linkin Park's "Numb", which he started using in 2011 while with the Nippon-Ham Fighters, was notably also used by Tsuyoshi Shinjo, who wore the same uniform number 1 before Yang. In 2012, for a "Player Produced Day" event, fans chose Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode" (featuring Snoop Dogg) as his walk-up song, another track famously used by Shinjo. Yang continued to use this song officially during the 2016 Climax Series.

In 2007, Yang was chosen as the first model for the "Fighters Style" project, a collaboration between the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and the Hokkaido Barbers' Association, where young players model the latest hair designs through a fan vote.

Yang is exceptionally popular in his home country, Taiwan, where he is widely regarded as a "national hero." His activities and news from Japan are closely followed and almost entirely translated into Chinese for the Taiwanese media. His popularity was highlighted when Shohei Ohtani, a former Nippon-Ham teammate, was reported to have asked Taiwanese player Yu Chang on first base in a 2021 MLB game, "Do you know Yang Dai-Kang?" (陽岱鋼は知っていますか？^Japanese), demonstrating his lasting recognition among players.

6.1. Titles and Major Awards

• Stolen Base King: 1 time (2013)
• Golden Glove Award: 4 times (Outfielder: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016)
• Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star Series Game MVP: 1 time (2012 Game 3)
• All-Star Game Fighting Spirit Award: 3 times (2012 Game 1, 2014 Game 1, 2014 Game 2)
• All-Star Game Be a driver. Award: 1 time (2014)
• Home Run Derby Winner: 1 time (2014 Game 2)
• "Georgia Soul" Award: 1 time (2014, 10th award)
• Sapporo Dome MVP (Baseball Division): 2 times (2013, 2014)
• World Baseball Classic Pool B MVP: 1 time (2013)
• Asia Professional Baseball Championship Bronze Medal: 1 time (2017)
• Asian Games Gold Medal: 1 time (2006)

6.2. Milestones and Other Records

• First Appearance & First Start:** April 20, 2007, vs. Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (Tokyo Dome), as 7th batter, 3rd baseman.
• First At-bat:** April 20, 2007, vs. SoftBank Hawks (Tokyo Dome), struck out swinging against Yasushi Kamiuchi.
• First Hit:** April 25, 2007, vs. Chiba Lotte Marines (Sapporo Dome), a double to right field off Yasutomo Kubo.
• First RBI:** April 29, 2007, vs. Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (Fullcast Stadium Miyagi), a single to left field off Koji Aoyama.
• First Stolen Base:** April 29, 2007, vs. Rakuten Golden Eagles (Fullcast Stadium Miyagi), in the 2nd inning (pitcher: Koji Aoyama, catcher: Motohiro Shima).
• First Home Run:** April 29, 2008, vs. Chiba Lotte Marines (Chiba Marine Stadium), a solo home run to left field off Yoshihisa Naruse.
• First Grand Slam:** April 4, 2013, vs. Chiba Lotte Marines (QVC Marine Field), in the 6th inning off Tadahiro Ogino.
• 1000 Games Played:** June 13, 2017, vs. Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (Tokyo Dome), as 1st batter, center fielder. (484th player in NPB history)
• 1000 Hits:** August 16, 2017, vs. Tokyo Yakult Swallows (Meiji Jingu Stadium), an RBI single to left field off Juri Hara. (288th player in NPB history)
• 100 Home Runs:** September 17, 2018, vs. Chunichi Dragons (Tokyo Dome), a solo home run to center field off Daisuke Sobue. (288th player in NPB history)
• 4 Consecutive Games with 3+ Hits:** June 29 - July 3, 2013 (Tied Nippon-Ham Fighters club record).
• 3 Consecutive Golden Glove Awards (Outfielder) with Most Votes:** Achieved in 2012-2014 (3rd player in history to do so).
• 2 Consecutive Games with Leadoff Home Runs:** August 3-4, 2017 (5th player in Giants club history, 6th occurrence). He hit 5 home runs during a six-game streak where the Giants hit 3+ home runs in each game, setting a new NPB record.
• All-Star Game Appearances:** 3 times (2012, 2013, 2014).
• First At-Bat Leadoff Home Run in All-Star Game:** July 20, 2012, Game 1 (Kyocera Dome Osaka), a solo home run to right-center field off Toshiya Sugiuchi. (2nd player in history to do so, after Alto Lopez in 1968). This was also his first All-Star Game at-bat home run (15th player in history) and a leadoff home run in the first inning (8th player in history).

7.1. Batting Statistics

• Bold indicates league leader.

7.2. Fielding Statistics

• Bold indicates league leader.
• Bold year indicates Golden Glove Award season.

8.1. Commercials

• Japan:**
  • YOSHIMI - "Sapporo Soup Curry Senbei Karikari Mada Aru?" (2015-2016)
• Taiwan:**
  • HeySong - "HeySong Sarsaparilla" (2013)
  • Nitori (2015-2018)
  • Mitsubishi Motors (2017)
  • Animal Protection Association (2018) - featured in a campaign video advocating for the protection of wild elephants.
  • Fujitsu General (December 2016 - )

8.2. Promotional Videos

• A.F.R.O. - "Fuyu no Okurimono" (Winter Gift) (2013)

9.1. Uniform Numbers

• 24 (2006-2012)
  • 15 (2006 World Baseball Classic)
• 1 (2013-2016, 2022-present)
• 2 (2017-2021)

9.2. Registered Names

Yang Dai-Kang has used two different registered names during his professional career:

• Yang Chung-shou (陽仲壽_{Yō Chonso}^Japanese) (2006-2009)
• Yang Dai-Kang (陽岱鋼_{Yō Daikan}^Japanese) (2010-present)

The change to "Dai-Kang" in 2010 was officially announced by the Nippon-Ham Fighters. While "Yang" (陽^Chinese) is pronounced "Yáng" in Chinese, he has used the Japanese pronunciation "Yō" for his surname in his registered names, a practice he adopted prior to his professional debut.

9.3. Walk-up Songs

Yang has used a variety of walk-up songs throughout his career:

• "Wannabe" by Spice Girls (2006-2010)
• "Numb / Encore" by Linkin Park & Jay-Z (2011 - mid-2018, 2019-2021)
• "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi (2011, 2014)
• "Suki Desu Sapporo" by Yuji Mori and Southern Cross (mid-2011 - end of season)
• "GO AWAY" by 2NE1 (pre-2012 - 2013)
• "Hallelujah" by Big Bang (2012, 2014 - Live ver. in 2014)
• "The Next Episode feat. Snoop Dogg" by Dr. Dre (June 16-17, 2012, 2016)
• "Pitakage (CROOKED) -JPN-" by G-Dragon (from BIGBANG) (2014)
• "For the Future" by Hiraidai (2013-2014)
• "Scream" by Usher (2013-2014)
• "Koi no Love Sunshine" by Weather Girls (June 25, 2013)
• "Just A Dream" by Nelly (2014-2015)
• "Fighter" by A.F.R.O. (April 2014 - end of year) - an original song with his name in the lyrics.
• "Slow & Easy" by Hiraidai (2015 - mid-2019)
• "Try Everything" by Shakira (2016)
• "BIRDMAN" by Fire Ball (2016)
• "Life is Beautiful" by Hiraidai (2016)
• "Ai San San" by Hibari Misora (September 9, 2017) - for his first at-bat.
• "Tsugaru Kaikyō Fuyugeshiki" by Sayuri Ishikawa (September 10, 2017) - for his first and second at-bats.
• "Despacito ft. Justin Bieber" by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee (2018 - mid-2019)
• "Stay The Night" by James Blunt (mid-2018)
• "Princess 2.0" by Jam Hsiao (mid-2018 - mid-2019)
• "Shake Ya Tailfeather" by Nelly, P. Diddy & Murphy Lee (mid-2019-2021)
• "Dilemma ft. Kelly Rowland" by Nelly (mid-2020-2021)