Wei Chuan Dragons to Launch Merchandise After Chang Cheng-yu's Steal of Home; Fans Joke: "He Stole Our Wallets Too"

(CNA, Taipei, May 19, by reporter Hsieh Ching-wen) Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) team Wei Chuan Dragons' infielder Chang Cheng-yu's "steal of home" marked the 5th successful pure steal of home in league history and a first for the team. The Dragons have launched the "Cosmic Invincibility: Home Plate Assault" commemorative merchandise series, which will be available for pre-order starting at 6 PM tonight. In a press release today, the Dragons stated that Chang Cheng-yu successfully completed the "steal of home" during the game against the Rakuten Monkeys on the 17th. This is the first steal of home record in 22 years since Huang Kao-chun in 2004, and the 5th successful pure steal of home in league history. The Dragons launched the "Cosmic Invincibility: Home Plate Assault" series, stating, "From testing the lead off the base to seizing the right moment to dash for home, Chang Cheng-yu completed this incredible assault with courage and judgment. This is not just a run scored, but a slide classic enough to be written into the Dragons' history, showcasing speed and guts." This merchandise series is centered around the moment of Chang's steal, blending a hot-blooded manga style with an impactful visual design to recreate the speed and explosiveness that electrified the stadium. A variety of highly collectible limited-edition items will be released, including a "Commemorative Bobblehead" designed after Chang's sliding posture, which reproduces this milestone and has great collection value. The Wei Chuan Dragons hope that through the "Cosmic Invincibility: Home Plate Assault" series, all fans can relive the moment that made the stadium erupt, turning that excitement and glory into a cherished memory. Fans joked, "Besides stealing home, Cheng-yu also stole our wallets!" The Dragons announced that the pre-order period for the commemorative merchandise will run from 6 PM tonight until 6 PM on the 22nd, available for a limited 72-hour window on the Wei Chuan Dragons' online store. The series' products will begin shipping on August 3, while the commemorative bobbleheads will ship starting October 15. (Editor: Lee Heng-shan) 1150519