Beijing Tigers
The Beijing Tigers (北京猛虎, Pinyin: Běijĩng měnghǔ) is one of the four charter teams in the China Baseball League. The Tigers played at the Beijing Fengtai Baseball Field until 2006, when the stadium was destroyed and rebuilt as the Fengtai Softball Field. Their stadium for the 2006 season was relocated to Lucheng, a rural area to the south of Beijing.
The Tigers enjoy the distinction of being one of the oldest baseball teams in China, with its history spanning well before the Cultural Revolution.
History
Professional baseball was introduced to China in 2002 with the organization of the Chinese Baseball League. The four CBL charter teams were the Beijing Tigers, Tianjin Lions, Shanghai Eagles, and the Guangzhou Lightning. Since the inaugural season, two more teams have been added to the league: the Guangdong Leopards and Sichuan Dragons. The Chinese Baseball League's season consists of approximately 30 games played April through July. At the end of the season, the two best teams in the league compete in the best of 5 Chinese Baseball League World Series.
Successes
The Beijing Tigers are the most successful team in the CBL, having won three CBL World Series in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Nine of the Beijing Tigers, including the hitting coach, were part of the Chinese National Team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
Their biggest rival is the Tianjin Lions, who beat the Guangdong Dragons to win the 2006 Championship Series. The Tigers did not make the playoffs, due to a roster replete with injuries and early retirements.
Roster (2005)
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The opening day lineup for the 2005 Tigers was:
- Catcher: Wang Wei (王偉) (WBC Team)
- First Base: Zhe Chen (陳哲) (WBC Team)
- Second Base: Li Lei (WBC Team)
- Shortstop: Ma Ke
- Third Base: Wei Zhang
- Right Field: Yang Shuo (楊碩) (WBC Team)
- Center Field: Sun Lingfeng (孫嶺峰) (WBC Team)
- Left Field: Jia Yubing
- Designated Hitter: Jiang Xiaoyu
- Starting Pitcher: Li Chenhao (李晨浩) (WBC Team)
- Starting Pitcher: Wang Nan (王楠) (WBC Team)
- Starting Pitcher: Zhang Jianwang
- Starting Pitcher: Zhou Jian
- Starting Pitcher: Xu Zheng (徐錚) (WBC Team)
External links
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