Taiwan Nobel laureate throws first pitch at New York Mets game
Yuan T. Lee throws first pitch at Mets game, capping off 'Taiwan Heritage Day' celebrations
By Scott Morgan, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
Yuan T. Lee throwing the first pitch. Yuan T. Lee throwing the first pitch. (CNA photo)
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwanese Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner Yuan T. Lee (李遠哲) threw the ceremonial first pitch, kicking off the MBL baseball match between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals, in New York on Aug. 26.
Lee's pitch was part of the 14th annual "Taiwan Heritage Day," which saw a host of cultural and promotional performances, as well as Taiwan's Representative to the U.S., Stanley Kao (高碩泰) receiving the "Spirit Award" for his efforts to support Taiwan-U.S. relations, according to MLB.
Special guests of Taiwan Heritage Day with Mr. and Mrs. Met.
"Taiwan Heritage Day" is an event put on in collaboration between the Taiwan Tourism Bureau and the New York Mets. Spectators were treated to free t-shirts promoting Taiwan, as well as performances by the famous Taiwanese opera troupe, Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Culture Group.
Lee won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1986, alongside John Polanyi and Dudley R. Herschbach for their contribution to dynamics of chemical elementary processes. Lee has been called "the Mozart of physical chemistry" and is also a political figure in Taiwan's society.
Lee has been a baseball fan since he was 12 years old, and told CNA he practiced for the pitch days in advance. The pitch successfully hit its mark, which led to applause from the crowd.
Director of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau's Super Task Force, OhBear was also in attendance, and mingled with Mets mascots Mr. and Mrs. Met.
OhBear, left, with Stanley Kao, right. (CNA image)
Taiwan-U.S. ties
Taiwan Tourism Bureau
OhBear
Taiwan expands fall and winter travel subsidies with hot spring discounts
Tolt's 'Don't go to Taiwan' gains 1.8 million views in 1 week
Singapore metro goes retro Taiwan
Taiwan representative office in New Zealand relocates after Huawei buys building
Baseball player from Taiwan signs with MLB team