CPBL Home Run King Ngayaw Ake’ launched his 305th home run before calling it a career
In what turned out to be his final career at-bat, in his final game, Chinese Taipei star Ngayaw Ake’ swung at a 0-1 count only to see the ball clear the fence for his 305th career home run. A fitting statement to close out the accomplished career of a decorated slugger, while the sold-out crowd in Taipei Dome roared to stand up to give the legendary player the ultimate ovation.
Being asked if he had ever imagined hitting a home run in his final at-bat, “Would you ever have? Never.”
A baseball career started at age nine
Ake’ started his baseball career at the age of nine when he was sent to Shan-Hua Elementary School in Tainan. In 1994, he was first selected to represent Chinese Taipei at the PONY Mustang Tournament. He discontinued his academic baseball career due to surgery to remove bone spurs in junior high school.
However, his abecedarian coach at Shan-Hua Elementary, Tzu-Tsan Wang, brought him back to Tainan to continue his baseball career. He was then selected to represent Chinese Taipei in the PONY 1996, IBA U-15 Tournaments 1997-1998, and the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 1999.
After playing three seasons for the Industrial League Cooperative Bank, Ake’ was drafted by the CPBL’s First Agan (later to become the La New Bears) at the special military draft in 2003.
His power was soon recognised in the league as he led in home runs in 2009, 2010, and 2012 while winning the All-Star Home Run Derby in 2009, 2015, and 2016.
His fun, loving, and open charisma also won the hearts of fans as he was elected an All-Star 19 times out of his 22 professional seasons, including a 16-consecutive-season run between 2004, his debut season, and 2019.
Ake’ was also known for his defensive skills at his prime, and fans nicknamed the combination of his second baseman teammate Chi-Wei Shih (aka Little Stone) of the La New Bears and Ake as the “Winning Stone Front.”
In 2012, Ake’ led Lamigo Monkeys to their first Taiwan Series title since the franchise relocation however, he’ suffered a severe injury in July 2013 due to a traffic accident that tore his ligaments in his left knee, and he was sidelined for the remainder of the season.
In what appears to be his career season in 2015, Ake’ became the first and only player in Taiwan baseball history to have hit over .300 with 30 homeruns, and 30 stolen bases. He also led the Monkeys to win the Taiwan Series championship again while being named the MVP of the Taiwan Series.
A pioneer in the labour movement
After the 2015 season, Ake’ filed for Free Agency (FA) and became the first FA player in CPBL history to sign a new contract with a new team, as CTBC Brothers offered a then-unprecedented 3-year deal worth NTD 45 million ($1.48m) for Ake’ to become a member of one of the most popular franchises in Taiwan baseball history.
In 2015, Ake’ was elected by his peers to become the Vice President of the player association, before assuming the position of President of the Taiwan Indigenous Baseball Development Association, one of the baseball-related organisations in Taiwan with the most extended history, greatest influence, and most significant contributions.
Heroic performance on the national team
During his lengthy professional career, Ake’ was also a frequent member of Chinese Taipei, having been selected at the World Baseball Classic 2006/2013, WBSC Baseball World Cup 2007, Asian Baseball Championship 2007, Summer Olympics 2008, Intercontinental Cup 2010, Asian Games 2010, and WBSC Premier12 2015.
In the Asian Games 2006 in Doha, Ake’ led Chinese Taipei to defeat Japan and win its first-ever Asian Games gold medal by producing the walk-off base hit in the ninth inning of the gold medal game.
His most signature moment of his national team career came during the inaugural WBSC Premier12 in 2015 when he belted a three-run home run against Cuba to give Chinese Taipei a come-from-behind lead of 4-1, ultimately sending his team to its first victory over Cuba in 29 years.
A constant contributor to charity events
Off the field, Ake’ was known for his devotion to charities and grassroots baseball development. As one who once grew up under the care of Taiwan Funds of Children and Families, Ake’ spent a considerable amount of time and resources helping children in need.
“Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children brings me more joy than hitting homeruns,” he said.
When being asked how the slugger would like to be remembered by future generations, Ake’said, “I’d like to be remembered as one home run king who supports every kid’s baseball dreams for them to hit their own home runs.”
A baseball career of 34 years and counting
At the retirement ceremony, Ake’ expressed his appreciation to everyone who had lent a helping hand and support during his 34-year-long career, starting from his elementary school days. He especially thanked his mum, his wife, and his elder brother, who assumed the role of father after the separation of his parents.
“He told me to ‘put your pride on your chin, and your humility on your forehead’, that’s something that carries profound influence on me,” said Ake’.
After Ake’ expressed his appreciation to the fans, and in a sentimental moment of recalling all the memories playing baseball, Ake’ said to himself, “Thank you for sticking with it, you’ve done well.”