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Key Information

The CTBC Brothers (Chinese: 中信兄弟) or simply Brothers are a professional baseball team in Taiwan. The team was originally established as an amateur team in 1984 by the Brother Hotel located in Taipei City, and later joined the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in 1989. Brother Hotel's chairman Hung Teng-sheng also acted as CPBL's secretary-general from 1987 to 1991. The Brothers are currently owned by CTBC Holding.

With its long history from the amateur era plus a successful marketing strategy and management, the team has long been one of the most popular Taiwanese baseball teams, winning the CPBL championship on ten occasions.

The team has always worn yellow uniforms. Its current home is in Taichung, with the home field at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium.

History

[edit]

On March 17, 1990, the Brother Elephants played the first historical CPBL game against the Uni-President Lions in the now-demolished Taipei Municipal Baseball Stadium with a full house of 14,350 in attendance. These two teams are also the only two remaining original teams of the CPBL.

Despite having the best season-long record for the 2004 season, the Elephants were unable to participate in the Taiwan Series because they had won neither half-season. This resulted in the expansion of the playoffs to three teams beginning in 2005, where the team with the best season-long record among non-champions for the season would gain a wildcard berth, thus preventing a similar occurrence in the future.

In mid-2008, general manager Hung Jui-he revealed the possibility of sale or disbanding of the organization if the financial deficit continued after 2009.

In the 2009 season, Brother Elephants were triumphant in winning the second half of the season. However, the team was affected deeply by a match fixing scandal involving relief pitcher Wu Pao-hsien which resulted in expulsion of many team players and the coach.[1]

In October 2013, the team's president announced attempts to sell the team.[2] The announcement drew interest from seven potential bidders.[3] The team was sold to Hua Yi, a subdivision of CTBC Holding, by December 2013 for a price of NT$400 million.[4] The team's name change reflected their new corporate parent, but it was felt that the branding from their previous owners was strong enough to rename the team Brothers, while retaining the elephant mascot.[5] In 2022, the CTBC Holding officially purchased the team from Hua Yi.

Records

[edit]
Qualified for playoffs Taiwan Series Championship

Regular seasons

[edit]
Season Wins Losses Ties Winning pct. Place
Brother Elephants
1990 34 (17/17) 49 (25/24) 7 (3/4) .410 (.405/.415) 4 (3/4)
1991 38 (21/17) 49 (23/26) 3 (1/2) .437 (.477/.395) 3 (3/4)
1992 51 (27/24) 35 (17/18) 4 (1/3) .593 (.614/.571) 1 (1/1)
1993 52 (28/24) 36 (16/20) 2 (1/1) .591 (.636/.545) 2 (1/2)
1994 64 (34/30) 24 (11/13) 2 (0/2) .727 (.756/.698) 1 (1/1)
1995 48 (25/23) 51 (25/26) 1 (0/1) .485 (.500/.469) 4 (3/3)
1996 52 (29/23) 43 (19/24) 5 (2/3) .547 (.604/.489) 4 (2/4)
1997 45 (23/22) 44 (20/24) 7 (5/2) .506 (.535/.478) 3 (3/5)
1998 33 69 3 0.324 6
1999 37 53 4 0.411 5
2000 38 (21/17) 48 (21/27) 4 (3/1) .442 (.500/.386) 4 (3/4)
2001 44 (17/27) 39 (23/16) 7 (5/2) .530 (.425/.628) 2 (3/1)
2002 53 (25/28) 33 (17/16) 4 (3/1) .616 (.595/.636) 1 (1/1)
2003 63 (27/36) 31 (20/11) 6 (3/3) .670 (.574/.766) 1 (3/1)
2004 54 (26/28) 45 (23/22) 1 (1/0) .545 (.531/.560) 3 (3/2)
2005 47 (25/22) 49 (23/26) 4 (2/2) .490 (.521/.458) 4 (3/6)
2006 40 (20/20) 59 (29/30) 1 (1/0) .404 (.408/.400) 6 (5/6)
2007 49 (24/25) 50 (25/25) 1 (1/0) .495 (.490/.500) 3 (4/4)
2008 52 (24/28) 42 (23/19) 4 (3/1) .553 (.511/.596) 3 (3/3)
2009 54 (21/33) 63 (38/25) 3 (1/2) .462 (.356/.569) 4 (4/1)
2010 61 (25/36) 57 (33/24) 2 (2/0) .517 (.431/.600) 2 (3/1)
2011 60 (28/32) 60 (32/28) 0 (0/0) .500 (.467/.533) 3 (3/2)
2012 60 (26/34) 58 (33/25) 2 (1/1) .508 (.441/.576) 3 (3/2)
2013 55 (26/29) 65 (34/31) 0 (0/0) .458 (.433/.483) 4 (4/3)
CTBC Brothers
2014 50 (19/31) 66 (40/26) 4 (1/3) .431 (.322/.544) 4 (4/1)
2015 63 (27/36) 56 (33/23) 1 (0/1) .529 (.450/.610) 2 (3/1)
2016 68 (35/33) 50 (23/27) 2 (2/0) .576 (.603/.550) 1 (1/2)
2017 53 (30/23) 64 (27/37) 3 (3/0) .453 (.526/.383) 3 (2/4)
2018 48 (20/28) 71 (40/31) 1 (0/1) .403 (.333/.475) 4 (4/3)
2019 62 (26/36) 56 (32/24) 2 (2/0) .525 (.448/.600) 3 (3/1)
2020 67 (37/30) 51 (23/28) 2 (0/2) .568 (.617/.517) 1 (1/3)
2021 66 (35/31) 49 (24/25) 5 (1/4) .574 (.593/.554) 1 (1/2)
2022 69 (32/37) 47 (26/21) 4 (2/2) .595 (.552/.638) 2 (2/1)
2023 57 (28/29) 58 (28/30) 5 (4/1) .496 (.500/.492) 4 (4/3)
2024 70 (32/38) 50 (28/22) 0 (0/0) .583 (.533/.633) 1 (3/1)
2025 70 (34/36) 50 (26/24) 0 (0/0) .583 (.566/.600) 1 (2/1)
Brother Elephants uniform

Playoffs

[edit]
Season First round Taiwan Series
Opponent Wins Losses Opponent Wins Losses
Brother Elephants
1992 No playoffs. The Elephants won the championship by virtue of winning both half-seasons.
1993 Did not play Uni-President Lions 4 2
1994 No playoffs. The Elephants won the championship by virtue of winning both half-seasons.
2001 Did not play Uni-President Lions 4 3
2002 Did not play Chinatrust Whales 4 0
2003 Did not play Sinon Bulls 4 2
2008 La New Bears 3 0 Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions 3 4
2009 Did not play Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions 3 4
2010 Did not play Sinon Bulls 4 0
CTBC Brothers
2014 Did not play Lamigo Monkeys 1 4
2015 Did not play Lamigo Monkeys 3 4
2016 Did not play EDA Rhinos 2 4
2017 Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions 3 1 Lamigo Monkeys 1 4
2019 Did not play Lamigo Monkeys 1 4
2020 Did not play Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions 3 4
2021 Did not play Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions 4 0
2022 Wei Chuan Dragons 3 1 Rakuten Monkeys 4 0
2024 Did not play Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions 4 1
2025 Did not play Rakuten Monkeys 1 4

Roster

[edit]
CTBC Brothers roster
Players Coaches

Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Manager

Coaches

Second team manager

Second team coaches

Roster updated on 2 April 2025

Retired numbers

[edit]

List of managers

[edit]

Brother Elephants (1990–2013)

[edit]
No. Name Years Playoffs Championships
1 Tseng Chi-en [zh] 1990–1991 0 0
2 Masao Morishita 1992 0 1
3 Toshihide Yamane 1993–1995 1 2
4 Chiang Chung-hao 1996–1998 0 0
5 Toshitake Nakayama 1999 0 0
6 Lin Pai-hen 2000–2001 0 0
7 Lin Yi-tseng 2001–2005 3 3
8 Wu Shih-hsih 2006 0 0
9 Wang Kuang-hui 2007–2009 1 0
10 Shin Nakagomi 2009 1 0
11 Chen Je-cheng 2010–2012 1 1
12 Hsieh Chang-heng 2013 0 0

CTBC Brothers (2014–present)

[edit]
No. Name Years Playoffs Championships
— Hsieh Chang-heng 2014–2015 1 0
13 Wu Fu-lian 2015–2016 2 0
14 Cory Snyder 2017–2018 1 0
15 Scott Budner 2019 1 0
16 Chiu Chang-jung 2020 1 0
17 Lin Wei-chu 2021–2023 2 2
18 Peng Cheng-min 2023 0 0
19 Keiichi Hirano 2024–present 2 1

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

CTBC Brothers

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from Grokipedia
The CTBC Brothers (Chinese: 中信兄弟) are a based in , , and one of the founding franchises of the (CPBL), established on March 17, 1990, as the Brother Elephants. Originally sponsored by Brother Hotel Inc., the team underwent a major sponsorship change at the end of 2013 when replaced the previous backer, leading to the rebranding as the CTBC Brothers for the 2014 season. Owned by Co., the team plays its home games at the and is currently managed by Keiichi Hirano, with Liu Zhi-wei serving as general manager. As one of Taiwan's most storied 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 , with their most recent victory in 2024 against the same opponent. The franchise's earlier incarnations as the Brother Elephants contributed to this legacy, including regular-season titles in years such as , 1994, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, and more recently in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2020. 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 in five games. Known for their power-hitting style and defensive prowess—highlighted by Chiang Kun-yu's record sixth consecutive Award in 2025—the team continues to be a dominant force in Taiwanese .

Team Information

Overview

The CTBC Brothers (Chinese: 中信兄弟; nicknamed the Brothers) are a team based in , , competing as one of six franchises in the (CPBL). Founded as an amateur team in 1984 by the Brother Hotel Group in , the organization transitioned to professional status in 1990 as one of the CPBL's four inaugural clubs. In December 2013, following its sale to for NT$400 million, the team rebranded from the Brother Elephants to the CTBC Brothers while retaining its iconic elephant imagery. As of 2025, the Brothers hold a distinguished place in CPBL history with 10 league championships, tying the for the most titles in the league's 35-year existence; their most recent triumph came in the 2024 Taiwan Series. During the 2025 season, the team captured the second-half title with a 6-2 victory over the on October 3 but fell short in the Taiwan Series, losing to the in five games to finish as runners-up. The team's visual identity features a logo of a in a holding a , with primary colors of accented by ; their uniforms have consistently emphasized since the franchise's early days. The mascot is an character, continuing the legacy of the Brother Elephants era.

Home Stadium and Facilities

The CTBC Brothers' primary home stadium is the in , , which has a of approximately 20,000 and has hosted the majority of their regular-season home games since 2006. The team also plays select high-profile games, including postseason matchups, at the in , a multifunctional domed facility that opened in December 2023 with a of 40,000, making it the largest baseball venue in the . Located in the Xinyi District near Taipei 101, the offers a covered environment suitable for 's variable weather and hosted Game 1 of the 2025 Taiwan Series against the on October 18, 2025, attracting a record crowd of 40,000 fans. 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 . The team's training facilities are centered at the Taichung Baseball Complex in , 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 affiliates, including living quarters and conference areas for strategic sessions. The setup allows for year-round preparation, with additional conducted at a specialized complex in that features dormitories adjacent to the .

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 Co., for NT$400 million (approximately $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 , which assumed complete control following the initial acquisition through its affiliate. , a 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 , 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 initiatives like the 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 in . 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 (CPBL) on October 23, 1989. The CPBL launched with four inaugural teams—the Brother Elephants, , Mercuries Tigers, and Uni-President Lions—marking 's entry into organized after years of amateur and industrial league play. 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. 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. The 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. 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. 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.

Brother Elephants Era (2001–2013)

The Brother Elephants entered a period of dominance in the (CPBL) during the early 2000s, capturing three consecutive 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. Despite finishing with the best overall regular-season record in 2004 (62-40-3), 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 , 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 's most popular . The era was marred by the 2009 game-fixing scandal, which implicated 26 players from the Brother Elephants in 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 Series where the Elephants lost to the , prompting widespread investigations that revealed systemic issues in Taiwanese professional . Despite the turmoil, which forced roster overhauls and eroded , the team began recovery under new management, posting a 52-48 record in 2010 en route to another Series title against the Lamigo Monkeys. 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 in 2011 and 2012. This stability helped restore competitiveness, though the franchise faced ownership changes, including its sale to Co. in December 2013.

CTBC Brothers Era (2014–present)

Following the sale of the Brother Elephants to a subsidiary of in December 2013 for NT$400 million, the team underwent a and was renamed the CTBC Brothers ahead of the 2014 season, retaining the mascot while aligning with the new corporate ownership. 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 . It was not until 2021 that the Brothers secured their first Taiwan Series championship under the CTBC name, sweeping the 4-0 to end an 11-year title drought and claim their ninth overall crown. The 2020s have seen a resurgence, with the Brothers capturing their tenth Series title in 2024 by defeating the 4-1 in the best-of-seven series, highlighted by strong pitching and timely hitting in front of record crowds. In 2025, they clinched the second-half regular-season crown with a 36-24 record but were upset in the Series, losing 4-1 to the in a five-game series that ended with a 9-7 comeback victory for the Monkeys in Game 5. 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. 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. Key milestones include the team's inaugural games at the newly opened 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. In late 2025, the Brothers faced a naming controversy when a new Chinese team, the Shanghai Brothers, unveiled a strikingly similar to their own design; CTBC responded by stating it was unaware of the resemblance and vowed to pursue legal action if was confirmed. 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 (CPBL), maintaining a balanced regular season performance across split-half formats. As one of the league's founding franchises since , the team recorded 1787 wins, 1720 losses, and 106 ties through the 2023 season, resulting in an all-time winning percentage of .510. 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. 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 . 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 on September 30. 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 of the , securing the best overall regular-season record and an automatic berth to the Series. 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 leader with 305 career long balls before his retirement in 2025. Career batting standouts such as Hsu Chi Hung, with a .292 over 101 games, underscore the franchise's hitting prowess. Over time, the Brothers' approach has evolved from offense-dominant play in the —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. 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 25 times as of the 2025 season, demonstrating consistent postseason contention throughout their history. They have advanced to the 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 . The CPBL postseason format has evolved significantly since the league's inception in 1990, initially featuring a best-of-7 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 , 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 Series. This shift has increased postseason opportunities and attendance, aligning with the league's growth to six teams. 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 ), 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 , securing their 10th championship and tying the league record for most titles. Conversely, the 2025 series ended in a 1-4 loss to the 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.

Championships and Individual Awards

The CTBC Brothers have won the Taiwan Series, the (CPBL) championship, a total of 10 times, tying the 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.
YearOpponentResult
1992N/A (both half-seasons)Champion
1993Uni-President Lions4-2
1994N/A (both half-seasons)Champion
2001Uni-President Lions4-3
2002Chinatrust Whales4-0
2003Sinon Bulls4-2
2010Sinon Bulls4-0
2021Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions4-0
2022Rakuten Monkeys4-0
2024Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions4-1
Individual accolades for Brothers players highlight their dominance, with multiple Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in both regular season and Taiwan Series formats. Dominican pitcher José De Paula earned the CPBL regular-season MVP in 2020 and 2021, leading the league in wins (16), strikeouts (192), and ERA (3.20) during his 2020 campaign. The team has produced over 20 All-Star selections across various seasons, including multiple representatives in the 2024 All-Star Game such as first baseman Chi-Hung Hsu and shortstop Kun-Yu Chiang. In pitching honors, De Paula's 2020 dominance also secured him the CPBL Best title and most s award, while the franchise has seen other pitchers like Ernesto Ongenda recognized for Cy Young-equivalent excellence in 2020 through superior totals and . Defensively, Kun-Yu Chiang set a CPBL record with six consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 2020 to 2025, the first to achieve this feat. First baseman Chen Chun-Hsiu earned a spot on the 2024 Best Nine team for his offensive contributions. In 2025, first baseman Hsu Chi-hung also won the Gold Glove at his position. Team honors extend internationally, with the Brothers receiving five invitations to the exhibition series against (NPB) teams, fostering cross-league competition and cultural exchange. Several former Brothers players have been inducted into the CPBL Hall of Fame. In the 2025 season, the Brothers captured the second-half title but fell short in the Taiwan Series, losing to the 4-1.

Players and Staff

Current Roster

The CTBC Brothers maintained a standard 28-man active roster for the 2025 CPBL season, comprising 14 pitchers and 14 position players, in line with league regulations. The pitching staff emphasized depth with a mix of domestic starters and international reinforcements, while the position players focused on defensive reliability and contact hitting to support the team's pennant run. As of November 2025, following the conclusion of the Taiwan Series, the roster reflected mid-season adjustments, including releases and signings to address performance and injuries. The pitchers were led by domestic ace Lin Yu-wei, who anchored the rotation alongside relievers like Cheng Kai-wen and Chiang Chung-chen. Key international arms occupied all four foreign slots: Venezuelan right-hander Mario Sanchez, who provided veteran experience in long relief; Cuban lefty Nivaldo Rodriguez, utilized for high-leverage situations; Mexican starter Humberto Castellanos, who logged significant innings; and American lefty Brandon Leibrandt, signed mid-season from free agency to bolster the . Mid-season additions included Jesús Vargas and William Cuevas in to strengthen rotation depth amid early struggles, though Cuevas was released on August 31 due to ineffectiveness, and José De Paula was let go earlier in August following a solid campaign with a 2.75 . Nolan Watson, another import, missed time due to an unreported injury but remained on the roster. The 2025 draft brought in promising domestic talent, such as third-round pick Lei Hsu, a assigned to starter development. Position players highlighted first baseman Chi-Hung Hsu as the offensive leader, posting a .292 batting average with 19 home runs and a .915 , contributing significantly to the team's second-half surge. Outfield depth featured versatile defenders like Chen Chen-wei and Wang Wei-chen, with the lineup emphasizing speed and over power. Catchers included reliable options like Kao Yu-chieh, while the infield was anchored by Kun-yu Chiang. Recent draftees among position players, such as second-round pick Sheng-Chieh Tsai from high school, added youthful potential to the bench. No significant injuries plagued the position group late in the season, allowing for stable rotations in the . In terms of depth chart, the typical starting lineup placed Hsu at first base, Chiang at , and Chen-wei Chen in center field, supported by a contact-oriented order averaging .275 as a unit. The roles were defined by setup men like Kuan-yu Chen (primarily middle relief) and closer Chu Cheng-yang for late innings, with the rotation rotating Lin Yu-wei, Castellanos, and Rodriguez as the top three. This structure helped the Brothers secure a playoff spot despite a competitive league.

Notable Players

The CTBC Brothers have produced and hosted several Hall of Famers and influential players throughout their history. , a who began his professional career with the Brother Elephants in 1999, became one of the franchise's most prominent exports to , where he achieved 95 wins over nine seasons with the New York Yankees and other teams, including two All-Star selections and a key role in their appearance. Inducted into the Taiwan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024, Wang's early development within the Brothers' system highlighted the team's role in nurturing international talent, as he represented in multiple World Baseball Classics. Peng Cheng-min, a versatile and who spent his entire 20-year career (2000–2019) with the franchise, exemplifies and consistency, amassing over 2,000 and ranking among the CPBL's all-time leaders in games played (2,052). Known as "Cha-Cha," he contributed to five Taiwan Series championships (2001, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011) and earned three Best Ten awards, serving as a clutch performer in postseason play with a .300 across multiple series. The team retired his No. 23 jersey in 2023 in recognition of his contributions, later appointing him manager until health issues forced his resignation in late 2023. Lin Chih-sheng, an and the CPBL's all-time leader with 305, joined the Brothers as a in , marking the league's first major free-agent signing, and played two seasons there before moving to other teams. During his tenure, he provided power hitting with 34 s in alone, helping the team reach the , and earned a Best Ten selection that year; his career also includes six Taiwan Series titles across clubs and induction consideration for his indigenous Amis heritage and record-setting longevity until his 2025 retirement. Hsu Ming-chieh, a veteran reliever who pitched for the Brothers in after a distinguished NPB career, added depth to the with his experience, contributing to the team's regular-season success in his brief stint while boasting a career total of 71 wins across leagues. The franchise's development pipeline has also produced MLB talents like Wang, underscoring its impact on Taiwanese baseball's global reach.

Retired Numbers and Managers

The CTBC Brothers have retired select jersey numbers to honor players who made significant contributions to the franchise. Number 23, worn by longtime and Peng Cheng-min, was retired on April 2, 2023, during the second day of the CPBL season opener at . Peng, a 19-year veteran with the organization from 2001 to 2019, amassed over 2,000 hits, nearly 300 home runs, and multiple batting titles, earning him the nickname "Chia Chia" and status as one of the league's most celebrated figures; the retirement ceremony drew a sold-out crowd of more than 15,000 fans. The franchise's managerial history spans over three decades, beginning with its founding as the Brother Elephants in 1990, and reflects a mix of local talent development and international hires to navigate competitive challenges and league transitions. Early leadership included Yi-Zeng Lin, who guided the team to its first Taiwan Series championship in 2001 with a sweep over the Uni-President Lions, emphasizing disciplined pitching and timely hitting. In the wake of the 2009 match-fixing scandal that implicated several CPBL teams and led to suspensions, the Brother Elephants appointed Japanese manager Shin Nakagomi midseason amid early struggles; however, the team was later implicated in the scandal, with Nakagomi convicted of related game-fixing charges, yet clinched the second-half title that year. Subsequent years saw further experimentation with international managers to inject fresh strategies. American Cory Snyder served as skipper in 2017, prioritizing offensive aggression during a transitional period for the newly rebranded . Locally, Chiu Chang-jung managed from 2018 to early 2020, overseeing roster rebuilds amid ownership changes under CTBC Holding. Lin Wei-chu then took the reins in December 2020, promoting from within the organization and leading the team to consistent playoff appearances through 2022, with a focus on balanced lineups and young talent integration. In May 2023, amid a midseason coaching shakeup, franchise icon Peng Cheng-min was elevated from farm director to manager, becoming the seventh in team history; his tenure emphasized veteran leadership and culminated in a Series appearance before he stepped down in December 2023 due to health concerns. The role transitioned to another international hire, Japanese manager Keiichi Hirano, starting in 2024, who has since guided the Brothers to the 2024 second-half title and the 2025 Series, stressing pitching depth and defensive fundamentals in a style adapted to CPBL's high-scoring environment. Across 12 managers to date, the franchise has secured nine Series championships, with key tenures highlighting shifts from scandal recovery to global influences post-2020.

Rivalries and Culture

Key Rivalries

The CTBC Brothers' most prominent rivalry in the (CPBL) is with the , dating back to the league's inaugural 1990 season when both teams were founding members. This matchup, often highlighted for its intensity due to the teams' shared history of dominance and frequent postseason clashes, has seen the Brothers and Lions meet in the Series on at least eight occasions, including sweeps in 2021 and a 4-1 victory for the Brothers in 2024. In regular-season head-to-head play, the Brothers hold a slight edge, winning 164 of 298 games against the Lions since , equating to approximately a 55% success rate. Memorable encounters include the Brothers' 4-1 clincher over the Lions in Game 5 of the 2024 Taiwan Series at Tainan Municipal Stadium, securing their 10th league title. Rivalry games at the have also drawn record crowds, such as the 2025 season opener on March 29, where 40,000 fans attended the Lions' 8-0 of the Brothers. Another significant rivalry has emerged with the , particularly intensified by the Monkeys' upset victory over the Brothers in the 2025 Taiwan Series. The Monkeys, who advanced as the third seed, defeated the favored Brothers 9-7 in Game 5 at on October 27, 2025, claiming their first title under ownership and ending the Brothers' recent postseason dominance. This series loss marked a rare defeat for the Brothers against the Monkeys in high-stakes play, building on prior regular-season competitions.

Fan Base and Traditions

The CTBC Brothers maintain one of the largest and most enthusiastic fan bases in the (CPBL), with particularly strong support in , their home base, and , where they frequently play games at the . The team's popularity contributed to the league's overall attendance surge in 2025, when the CPBL recorded its first season with an average of over 10,000 fans per game, marking a 35% increase from the previous year. This growth reflects the Brothers' appeal, highlighted by packed crowds such as the 40,000 spectators at the 2025 season opener in . Team traditions emphasize fan engagement and nods to the franchise's heritage as the former Brother Elephants. The mascot, —an elephant character succeeding the original Jimmy from the Elephants era—performs energetic dances and interactions to rally supporters during games. Fans participate in lively chants and coordinated routines, fostering a vibrant atmosphere at and other venues. Championship celebrations often include parades through , allowing thousands of supporters to join the festivities along major roads like Wenxin Road. The Brothers have significantly influenced baseball's cultural landscape in Taiwan, helping to solidify the sport as a national passion through decades of competitive success and innovative fan outreach. Their involvement has extended baseball's reach to underserved communities, enhancing its role in youth development and social cohesion. The 2025 Taiwan Series, featuring the Brothers, set new attendance benchmarks, underscoring the team's media prominence and contribution to the league's rising visibility. In the community realm, the CTBC Brothers collaborate with the CTBC Charity Foundation on initiatives like the CTBC Youth Baseball Project, which supports 25 rural school teams with equipment, tutoring, and nutritious meals to promote the sport among disadvantaged children. The foundation also sponsors the CTBC Black Panther Pennant, Taiwan's premier youth baseball tournament, fostering talent and community ties. Additional events, such as joint charity games with hospitals for pediatric transplant patients, highlight the team's commitment to social good.

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