| C. C. Lee | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Lee pitching for theCleveland Indians in 2014 | |
| CTBC Brothers – No. 34 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1986-10-21)October 21, 1986 (age 38) Penghu,Taiwan | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: July 14, 2013, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| NPB: March 26, 2016, for the Saitama Seibu Lions | |
| CPBL: July 25, 2018, for the Chinatrust Brothers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2015 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 1–1 |
| Earned run average | 4.50 |
| Strikeouts | 33 |
| NPB statistics (through 2016 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 6.48 |
| Strikeouts | 13 |
| CPBL statistics (through April 6, 2025) | |
| Win–loss record | 16–10 |
| Earned run average | 3.06 |
| Strikeouts | 306 |
| Saves | 81 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| C. C. Lee | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 李振昌 | ||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 李振昌 | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Lee Chen-ch'ang (Chinese:李振昌;pinyin:Lǐ Zhènchāng;Wade–Giles:Li³ Chen⁴-Ch'ang¹; born October 21, 1986) is a Taiwanese professionalbaseballpitcher for theCTBC Brothers of theChinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theCleveland Indians and inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for theSaitama Seibu Lions. Lee throws from asidearm slot, and his fastball sits at 92–94 MPH and max out at 97 MPH.[1]
Lee began playing baseball while a student atNational Pingtung Senior High School.[2] He competed for theChinese Taipei national baseball team in the2008 Summer Olympics, and had a 2.00earned run average (ERA) and 11strikeouts in two appearances. After appearing in the Olympics, the Cleveland Indians signed him as a free agent.[3]
After joining the Indians organization, Lee competed in the2009 World Baseball Classic.[4] He began his stateside professional career with theKinston Indians in 2009, finishing the year with a 4–6 win–loss record and a 3.35 ERA in 45 appearances. He spent 2010 with the Akron Aeros, and had a 4–5 record and a 3.22 ERA in 44 games. The following year, Lee split the season between the Aeros andColumbus Clippers. With the Clippers, he had a 4–0 record and a 2.21 ERA in 25 appearances.[5]
After five games with the Clippers in 2012 and 19 in 2013, Lee was called up by theCleveland Indians from their Triple-A affiliateColumbus Clippers on July 12, 2013, and became the tenthTaiwanese player to play in the MLB.[6] In his debut on July 14, Lee pitched 1.1 innings in relief ofUbaldo Jiménez, allowing no hits and 1 walk. He was optioned back to Columbus on July 23 and finished the season there, ending it with a 2.37 ERA.[5] Lee started the 2014 season in Columbus, but was brought up to the majors and had several stints with the Indians during the 2014 season.[7]
On November 20, 2015, the Indians sold Lee's contract to theSaitama Seibu Lions ofNippon Professional Baseball.[8]
On November 8, 2016, he became a free agent.[9]
On December 23, 2016, Lee signed a minor league contract with theColorado Rockies that included an invitation to 2017spring training.[10] In 27 appearances for the Triple-AAlbuquerque Isotopes, Lee registered a 5.54 ERA with 53 strikeouts in37+1⁄3 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[11]
On January 1, 2018, Lee signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Dodgers organization. In 22 appearances for the Triple-AOklahoma City Dodgers, Lee had a 3.91 ERA with 41 strikeouts in25+1⁄3 innings pitched. On June 1, Lee exercised an opt-out clause in his contract in order to return to his home country of Taiwan and declare himself eligible for the 2018Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) draft.[12]
Lee was selected first overall in the 2018 CPBL draft by theCTBC Brothers, and on July 10, 2018, signed to a 3.5 year deal with an annual salary of $248,000 USD plus $34,000 USD per season in incentives.[13]
On May 3, 2023, Lee suffered a brokencollarbone after being involved in a traffic collision, and later underwent successful surgery.[14] He only made 11 appearances on the year, and struggled to a 6.75 ERA over 8 innings. Lee made 42 appearances out of thebullpen for the Brothers in 2024, compiling a 3–1 record and 4.70 ERA with 27 strikeouts across38+1⁄3 innings pitched. With the Brothers, Lee won the 2024Taiwan Series.[15]
Lee was selected forChinese Taipei national baseball team at the2006 Intercontinental Cup,2006 Asian Games,2008 Summer Olympics, and2009 World Baseball Classic.
