CTBC Brothers
The CTBC Brothers (Chinese: 中信兄弟) are a professional baseball team based in Taichung, Taiwan, and one of the founding franchises of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), established on March 17, 1990, as the Brother Elephants.[1][2] Originally sponsored by Brother Hotel Inc., the team underwent a major sponsorship change at the end of 2013 when CTBC Financial Holding replaced the previous backer, leading to the rebranding as the CTBC Brothers for the 2014 season.[3] Owned by CTBC Financial Holding Co., the team plays its home games at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium and is currently managed by Keiichi Hirano, with Liu Zhi-wei serving as general manager.[4][5] As one of Taiwan's most storied baseball clubs, the CTBC Brothers have achieved significant success in the CPBL, securing 10 Taiwan Series championships—the league's postseason title—tying the record held by the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions, with their most recent victory in 2024 against the same opponent.[6] The franchise's earlier incarnations as the Brother Elephants contributed to this legacy, including regular-season titles in years such as 1992, 1994, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, and more recently in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2020.[7] In the 2025 season, the Brothers clinched the second-half regular-season championship and advanced to the Taiwan Series as the team with the best overall record, ultimately falling to the Rakuten Monkeys in five games.[6][8] Known for their power-hitting style and defensive prowess—highlighted by shortstop Chiang Kun-yu's record sixth consecutive Golden Glove Award in 2025—the team continues to be a dominant force in Taiwanese professional baseball.[9]Team Information
Overview
The CTBC Brothers (Chinese: 中信兄弟; nicknamed the Brothers) are a professional baseball team based in Taichung, Taiwan, competing as one of six franchises in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL).[1] Founded as an amateur team in 1984 by the Brother Hotel Group in Taipei, the organization transitioned to professional status in 1990 as one of the CPBL's four inaugural clubs.[1][10] In December 2013, following its sale to CTBC Financial Holding for NT$400 million, the team rebranded from the Brother Elephants to the CTBC Brothers while retaining its iconic elephant imagery.[1] As of 2025, the Brothers hold a distinguished place in CPBL history with 10 league championships, tying the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions for the most titles in the league's 35-year existence; their most recent triumph came in the 2024 Taiwan Series.[6] During the 2025 season, the team captured the second-half title with a 6-2 victory over the Wei Chuan Dragons on October 3 but fell short in the Taiwan Series, losing to the Rakuten Monkeys in five games to finish as runners-up.[11][8][12] The team's visual identity features a logo of a yellow elephant in a baseball cap holding a baseball, with primary colors of yellow accented by steel blue; their uniforms have consistently emphasized yellow since the franchise's early days.[13][14] The mascot is an elephant character, continuing the legacy of the Brother Elephants era.[1]Home Stadium and Facilities
The CTBC Brothers' primary home stadium is the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan, which has a seating capacity of approximately 20,000 and has hosted the majority of their regular-season home games since 2006.[1] The team also plays select high-profile games, including postseason matchups, at the Taipei Dome in Taipei, a multifunctional domed facility that opened in December 2023 with a seating capacity of 40,000, making it the largest baseball venue in the country. Located in the Xinyi District near Taipei 101, the Taipei Dome offers a covered environment suitable for Taiwan's variable weather and hosted Game 1 of the 2025 Taiwan Series against the Rakuten Monkeys on October 18, 2025, attracting a record crowd of 40,000 fans.[15][16][17] The stadium's modern design incorporates advanced fan amenities, such as expansive LED video boards for enhanced viewing and designated family areas to promote accessibility and comfort for attendees of all ages. These features contribute to an improved spectator experience, supporting the team's efforts to engage a broader audience in urban Taipei.[18] The team's training facilities are centered at the Taichung Baseball Complex in Taichung, which includes dedicated practice fields, batting cages, and player dormitories to support daily workouts and team development. This complex provides comprehensive infrastructure for both the main roster and minor league affiliates, including living quarters and conference areas for strategic sessions. The setup allows for year-round preparation, with additional spring training conducted at a specialized complex in Pingtung County that features dormitories adjacent to the ballpark.[19][20]Ownership and Sponsorship
The CTBC Brothers were originally established and owned by Brother Hotels from 1989 until 2013, during which time the team operated as the Brother Elephants. In December 2013, Brother Hotels sold the franchise to Hua Yi, an entertainment company affiliated with CTBC Financial Holding Co., for NT$400 million (approximately US$13.5 million). This transaction marked the beginning of CTBC's involvement in the team's operations, leading to a rebranding to the CTBC Brothers ahead of the 2014 season. The team is currently fully owned by CTBC Financial Holding Co., Ltd., which assumed complete control following the initial acquisition through its affiliate. CTBC Bank, a subsidiary of CTBC Financial Holding, serves as the team's title sponsor, providing primary financial backing and branding integration across team activities. Additional sponsorships include partnerships for uniforms and equipment with major sports brands such as Mizuno, which supplies authentic on-field jerseys and gear. Under CTBC's ownership, the organization has directed significant investments toward long-term development, including enhanced international scouting to identify major league-caliber talent and support for youth baseball initiatives like the Black Panther Pennant Project, which sponsors high school teams and training camps. These efforts aim to strengthen the team's pipeline and community engagement.History
Formation and Early Years (1989–2000)
The CTBC Brothers, originally known as the Brother Elephants, trace their origins to the late 1980s amid growing interest in professionalizing baseball in Taiwan. The team was established as an amateur club in 1984 by Brother Hotel Inc. under chairman Hung Teng-sheng, who advocated for a professional league. It became one of the founding franchises of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) on October 23, 1989.[3][21] The CPBL launched with four inaugural teams—the Brother Elephants, Wei Chuan Dragons, Mercuries Tigers, and Uni-President Lions—marking Taiwan's entry into organized professional baseball after years of amateur and industrial league play.[3] The Brother Elephants entered their first professional season in 1990 under manager Choung-Hau Chiang, facing significant early challenges as a novice franchise. The inaugural CPBL game on March 17, 1990, saw the Elephants lose 4-3 to the Uni-President Lions at Taipei Municipal Baseball Stadium, setting a tone for a difficult debut year in which they finished last in both the first half (17-25-3) and second half (17-24-4) of the split-season format, struggling with inexperience and roster development.[3][22][23] Despite these hurdles, the team contributed to the league's rapid growth, as the CPBL expanded to six teams in 1993 with the addition of the China Times Eagles and Jungo Bears, and further to seven in 1997 with the Chinatrust Whales.[3] The Elephants began to build momentum in the mid-1990s, achieving their first Taiwan Series championship in 1992 under Chiang's continued guidance, followed by back-to-back titles in 1993 and 1994, establishing them as a competitive force early in the league's history.[24] This period of success highlighted the stability provided by Brother Hotel Inc.'s long-term ownership, which supported the franchise through the CPBL's formative expansion and challenges, including emerging issues like game-fixing scandals that began surfacing toward the end of the decade.[1][3] By 2000, the Elephants had solidified their place as one of the league's enduring teams, having navigated the transition from amateur roots to professional contention.[3]Brother Elephants Era (2001–2013)
The Brother Elephants entered a period of dominance in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) during the early 2000s, capturing three consecutive Taiwan Series titles from 2001 to 2003. In 2001, the team defeated the Uni-President Lions in seven games to claim their fourth overall championship, followed by a sweep of the Chinatrust Whales in 2002 and a 4-2 victory over the Sinon Bulls in 2003. This run established the Elephants as the league's premier franchise, with consistent playoff appearances throughout the decade, including seven postseason berths between 2001 and 2010. Their success was built on a strong core of homegrown talent and strategic imports, contributing to an average winning percentage above .550 in regular-season play during peak years.[25] Despite finishing with the best overall regular-season record in 2004 (62-40-3), the Elephants missed the Taiwan Series due to the league's half-season format but demonstrated resilience by leading the league in runs scored (612) and maintaining high fan engagement. Throughout the 2000s, the Brother Elephants consistently drew the highest attendance in the CPBL, averaging over 7,000 fans per home game and surpassing 1 million total attendees in multiple seasons, solidifying their status as Taiwan's most popular baseball team.[26] The era was marred by the 2009 game-fixing scandal, which implicated 26 players from the Brother Elephants in collusion with gambling syndicates, leading to lifetime bans for those involved and penalties imposed on the team by the CPBL. The scandal, centered around the "Windshield Wiper" betting ring, erupted during the Taiwan Series where the Elephants lost to the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions, prompting widespread investigations that revealed systemic issues in Taiwanese professional baseball. Despite the turmoil, which forced roster overhauls and eroded public trust, the team began recovery under new management, posting a 52-48 record in 2010 en route to another Taiwan Series title against the Lamigo Monkeys.[27][28] Managerial transitions played a key role in navigating these challenges, with Lin Yi-tseng guiding the team through the 2001-2003 championship run. From 2009 to 2013, the team saw several managers, including Shin Nakagomi in 2009, Chen Je-cheng from 2010 to 2012, and Hsieh Chang-heng in 2013, helping restore competitiveness through post-scandal rebuilding and into the playoffs in 2011 and 2012. This stability helped restore competitiveness, though the franchise faced ownership changes, including its sale to CTBC Financial Holding Co. in December 2013.[29][30]CTBC Brothers Era (2014–present)
Following the sale of the Brother Elephants to a subsidiary of CTBC Financial Holding in December 2013 for NT$400 million, the team underwent a rebranding and was renamed the CTBC Brothers ahead of the 2014 season, retaining the elephant mascot while aligning with the new corporate ownership.[1] This transition marked a new era focused on financial stability and fan engagement under CTBC's sponsorship. The rebranded team struggled initially to reclaim past glory, reaching the Taiwan Series in 2015 but falling 4-3 to the Lamigo Monkeys in a dramatic seven-game matchup capped by a no-hitter.[31] It was not until 2021 that the Brothers secured their first Taiwan Series championship under the CTBC name, sweeping the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions 4-0 to end an 11-year title drought and claim their ninth overall crown.[32] The 2020s have seen a resurgence, with the Brothers capturing their tenth Taiwan Series title in 2024 by defeating the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions 4-1 in the best-of-seven series, highlighted by strong pitching and timely hitting in front of record crowds.[33] In 2025, they clinched the second-half regular-season crown with a 36-24 record but were upset in the Taiwan Series, losing 4-1 to the Rakuten Monkeys in a five-game series that ended with a 9-7 comeback victory for the Monkeys in Game 5.[34] These successes reflect strategic adaptations, including a greater emphasis on international talent such as Venezuelan pitchers Mario Sanchez and former MLB players like José De Paula, who have bolstered the rotation and contributed to multiple playoff runs.[35] Following CTBC Holding's full acquisition of the team from its subsidiary Hua Yi in 2022, the organization has also prioritized youth development through enhanced scouting and academy programs to build a sustainable pipeline of homegrown talent.[36] Key milestones include the team's inaugural games at the newly opened Taipei Dome in 2023, which hosted CPBL events and boosted attendance with its modern facilities, allowing the Brothers to play select high-profile matches there amid growing league-wide infrastructure upgrades.[37] In late 2025, the Brothers faced a naming controversy when a new Chinese professional baseball team, the Shanghai Brothers, unveiled a logo strikingly similar to their own elephant design; CTBC responded by stating it was unaware of the resemblance and vowed to pursue legal action if trademark infringement was confirmed.[13] These developments underscore the Brothers' ongoing efforts to navigate competitive challenges while expanding their global footprint.Records and Achievements
Regular Season Performance
The CTBC Brothers have demonstrated consistent competitiveness throughout their history in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), maintaining a balanced regular season performance across split-half formats. As one of the league's founding franchises since 1990, the team recorded 1787 wins, 1720 losses, and 106 ties through the 2023 season, resulting in an all-time winning percentage of .510.[1] This figure reflects steady contention, with the franchise securing 11 regular-season championships up to 2020, including notable titles in 1992, 1994, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2020.[7] In recent years, the Brothers have elevated their performance under the CPBL's split-season structure, where each half culminates in 60 games per team and half-winners advance to playoffs. The 2024 season saw them finish 32-28 in the first half and 38-22 in the second half, compiling a 70-50 overall record and claiming the second-half title with a decisive 8-5 victory over the Rakuten Monkeys on September 30.[38][39] The 2025 campaign mirrored this success, with a 34-26 first-half mark and a 36-24 second-half finish for another 70-50 tally; they clinched the second-half championship on October 3 via a 2-0 shutout of the TSG Hawks, securing the best overall regular-season record and an automatic berth to the Taiwan Series.[34][6] These back-to-back 70-win seasons represent some of the franchise's strongest regular-season outputs, highlighting improved consistency in the expanded six-team league. Statistically, the Brothers have excelled in key offensive categories, boasting a legacy of power hitting that has propelled them to multiple half-season leads. The team has topped the CPBL in home run production on several occasions, exemplified by standout performers like Lin Chih-sheng, the league's all-time home run leader with 305 career long balls before his retirement in 2025.[40] Career batting standouts such as Hsu Chi Hung, with a .292 average over 101 games, underscore the franchise's hitting prowess.[41] Over time, the Brothers' approach has evolved from offense-dominant play in the 2000s—where they captured several titles through aggressive lineups—to a more pitching-oriented strategy post-2020, balancing strong starting rotations with timely hitting to sustain top-division finishes.[7] This shift has contributed to their 17 documented first-place half-season achievements as of 2025, positioning them among the CPBL's elite.Postseason Results
The CTBC Brothers, formerly known as the Brother Elephants, have qualified for the CPBL playoffs 25 times as of the 2025 season, demonstrating consistent postseason contention throughout their history. They have advanced to the Taiwan Series on 16 occasions, compiling an overall record of 10 wins and 6 losses in the championship round. These appearances underscore the franchise's status as one of the league's most successful teams, with a balance of dominant victories and competitive defeats shaping their legacy in Taiwanese professional baseball.[42][1] The CPBL postseason format has evolved significantly since the league's inception in 1990, initially featuring a best-of-7 Taiwan Series between the winners of the first and second half-seasons, with no preliminary playoff round in the early years. By the mid-1990s, the structure incorporated a best-of-5 playoff series for half-season champions if necessary, emphasizing direct qualification based on regular-season performance. The modern era, particularly since the addition of a sixth team in 2020 and format adjustments in 2022, introduced a wild card system allowing the top four teams to compete: the half-season champions receive byes or advantages, while wild card games determine additional entrants, culminating in a best-of-7 Taiwan Series. This shift has increased postseason opportunities and attendance, aligning with the league's growth to six teams.[43][44] Key moments in the Brothers' postseason history include their inaugural Taiwan Series sweep in 1992 against the Uni-President Lions, where they clinched the title without dropping a game after dominating both half-seasons. Another landmark was their 1996 championship, a 4-0 sweep over the Coopers & Lybrand Whips (now Rakuten Monkeys), marking an early dynasty phase with back-to-back titles following strong regular-season qualifiers. In recent years, the 2024 Taiwan Series victory stood out as a 4-1 triumph over the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions, securing their 10th championship and tying the league record for most titles. Conversely, the 2025 series ended in a 1-4 loss to the Rakuten Monkeys in five games, highlighted by an intense Game 5 defeat of 7-9. These series exemplify the team's resilience, with multiple sweeps (including 4-0 wins in 2021 and 2022 against the Lions) contrasting narrower escapes like the 4-3 loss to the Lions in 2020.[33][45]Championships and Individual Awards
The CTBC Brothers have won the Taiwan Series, the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) championship, a total of 10 times, tying the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions for the most in league history. Their victories span from the team's early years as the Brother Elephants to the modern CTBC era, showcasing consistent excellence in postseason play. These triumphs include sweeping series and hard-fought battles against top rivals, often featuring standout performances from key players.| Year | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | N/A (both half-seasons) | Champion |
| 1993 | Uni-President Lions | 4-2 |
| 1994 | N/A (both half-seasons) | Champion |
| 2001 | Uni-President Lions | 4-3 |
| 2002 | Chinatrust Whales | 4-0 |
| 2003 | Sinon Bulls | 4-2 |
| 2010 | Sinon Bulls | 4-0 |
| 2021 | Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions | 4-0 |
| 2022 | Rakuten Monkeys | 4-0 |
| 2024 | Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions | 4-1 |