Chang's 'biggest hit' set to boost mainland interest
The Kansas City-born minor leaguer's two-run single helps China beat Brazil and secure their place in the 2017 World Classic
Ray Chang hailed the biggest hit of his life after his two-run single secured China's win over Brazil and guaranteed a spot in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, a result that looks set to boost the sport on the mainland.
Shortstop Chang, who also starred at the tournament's last edition in 2009, stepped up with China trailing 1-2 in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded, and fired left to make it 3-2. China eventually won the game 5-2.
"No doubt, that was the biggest hit of my life," said the Kansas City-born minor leaguer. "I've played seven or eight years of professional baseball. I've had some clutch hits in my career, but nothing like this. This is not just for a Single-A, Double-A team. This is for an entire country," said Chang.
The win propelled China to third place in pool A and a guaranteed berth in 2017, even though they failed to join Japan, Cuba, Taiwan and the Netherlands in the second round. The final round will be played in San Francisco later this month.
Chang, 29, was also the hero in 2009, scoring a homer and two more runs in China's first ever Classic victory, a 4-1 win over Taiwan. "They both were big games for the country. You can't really say one was bigger than the other. This seems a lot bigger now, just because it's in the moment," Chang said.
China's head coach John McLaren said the upset win over Brazil was "just a great feeling".