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{{Short description|Panamanian baseball player (born 1977)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Bruce Chen
|image=Bruce Chen on July 27, 2009.jpg
|width=250
|caption=Chen with the Kansas City Royals
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats= Left
|throws= Left
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1977|6|19}}
|birth_place=[[Panama City, Panama]]
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=September 7
|debutyear=1998
|debutteam=Atlanta Braves
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=May 15
|finalyear=2015
|finalteam=Cleveland Indians
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=82–81
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=4.62
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=1,140
|teams=
*[[Atlanta Braves]] ({{mlby|1998}}–{{mlby|2000}})
*[[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|2000}}–{{mlby|2001}})
*[[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|2001}}–{{mlby|2002}})
*[[Montreal Expos]] ({{mlby|2002}})
*[[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|2002}})
*[[Houston Astros]] ({{mlby|2003}})
*[[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|2003}})
*[[Baltimore Orioles]] ({{mlby|2004}}–{{mlby|2006}})
*[[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] ({{mlby|2007}})
*[[Kansas City Royals]] ({{mlby|2009}}–{{mlby|2014}})
*[[Cleveland Indians]] ({{mlby|2015}})
}}
{{chinese|t=陳用彩|s=陈用彩|p=Chén Yòngcǎi|w=Ch'en<sup>2</sup> Yung<sup>4</sup>-ts'ai<sup>3</sup>}}
[[File:BruceChenThrowing.jpg|250px|thumb|Chen pitching for the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] in {{mlby|2007}}]]

'''Bruce Kastulo Chen''' (born June 19, 1977) is a [[Panamanians|Panamanian]] former professional [[baseball]] [[pitcher]] who played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Atlanta Braves]], [[Philadelphia Phillies]], [[New York Mets]], [[Montreal Expos]], [[Cincinnati Reds]], [[Houston Astros]], [[Boston Red Sox]], [[Baltimore Orioles]], [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]], [[Kansas City Royals]], and [[Cleveland Indians]], from {{by|1998}} to {{by|2015}}.

==Background==
Chen was born in Panama to José and Luisa Chen. He is of [[Overseas Chinese|Chinese]] descent. His paternal grandfather, Kuen Chin Chan Lee, joined his brothers and other relatives in Panama at age nine during the [[Chinese Civil War]]. Chen's maternal grandmother, Kuen Yin Liu de Laffo, was born in Panama, but her family had to return to China after fire destroyed their home. After years of hard labor, she returned to Panama at age 24. Both of Chen's grandparents have died. In a 2006 article in ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Chen said that he would like to visit China to better understand his roots.<ref name=Roots>{{cite news|first=Jorge|last=Arangure|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/04/AR2006040402068.html|title=Chen grew from distinct roots|newspaper=Washington Post|date=2006-04-05|access-date=2007-08-06}}</ref>

Chen has a brother, Kastulo, and a sister, Karla.<ref name=mlb68001134>{{cite news|last1=Kaegal|first1=Dick|title=Spring workout with Royals saved Chen's career|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/spring-workout-with-royals-saved-bruce-chens-career/c-68001134|access-date=May 9, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=February 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaegal|first1=Dick|title=Chen cherishes holiday trips home to Panama|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111210&content_id=26142364&c_id=kc|access-date=August 31, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> Chen attended Panamerican Institute in Panama City.<ref name=BRIP/>

==Playing career==

===Early career===

====Braves====
Chen signed with the [[Atlanta Braves]] as an amateur free agent on July 1, 1993. He made the [[South Atlantic League]] All-Star team in 1997 when he went 12–7 with a 3.51 ERA in 28 starts for the [[Macon Braves]]. In 1998 he made 23 starts for the [[Greenville Braves]] and was 13–7 with a 3.29 ERA.  He was selected by the [[Southern League (1964–2020)|Southern League]] as an All-Star and the Most Outstanding Pitcher. He was also a Double-A All-Star, [[Baseball America]] minor league All-Star and the Braves minor league pitcher of the year.

He made his MLB debut with the Braves on September 7, 1998, against the [[New York Mets]]. He started the game but only lasted three innings while allowing 4 runs on 6 hits. He picked up his first win, when he went seven innings on September 12 against the [[Florida Marlins]]. He remained with the Braves through mid-2000, pitching in 42 games (starting 11) and was 8–2 with a 4.28 ERA.

====Phillies====
He was traded by the Braves to the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] on July 12, 2000 (with [[Jimmy Osting]]) for [[Andy Ashby]]. He was a full-time starter with the Phillies, starting 31 games with a 7–9 record and 4.28 ERA. While playing for the Phillies, Chen had a loyal group of fans known as "The Chen Pen".<ref>{{cite news|first=Dick|last=Kaegel|url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20100708&content_id=12083160|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060224/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20100708&content_id=12083160|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2016|title=Written off, Chen having turnaround season|work=MLB.com|date=2010-07-08|access-date=2012-02-02}}</ref>

===Middle career===
The Phillies traded him to the [[New York Mets]] on July 27, 2001, for [[Dennis Cook]] and [[Turk Wendell]]. He made 11 starts (and 1 relief appearance) for the Mets and was 3–2 with a 4.61 ERA, and started the first game played by the Mets after the [[September 11 attacks]] versus the Braves at [[Shea Stadium]] on September 21.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-21-2001-new-york-city-s-first-baseball-game-after-911|title = September 21, 2001: Piazza homer leads Mets in New York City's first baseball game after 9/11 – Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref> Chen was traded again on April 5, 2002, to the [[Montreal Expos]] (with [[Luis Figueroa (baseball)|Luis Figueroa]], [[Saul Rivera]] and [[Dicky Gonzalez]]) for [[Phil Seibel]], [[Scott Strickland]] and [[Matt Watson (baseball)|Matt Watson]]. He made 15 appearances (4 starts) for the Expos and was 2–3 with a 6.99 ERA.

He was traded for the fourth time, on June 14, 2002, to the [[Cincinnati Reds]] for [[Jim Brower]]. He only made 1 start for the Reds and appeared in relief 39 times, with a 4.31 ERA. Released by the Reds, he was signed as a free agent by the [[Houston Astros]] on March 14, 2003. He appeared in only 11 games and had an ERA of 6.00 with the Astros. The [[Boston Red Sox]] selected him off waivers from the Astros on May 7, 2003. He appeared in 5 games for the Red Sox, with  2 starts and had a 5.11 ERA.

He signed as a free agent with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] on November 26, 2003. He made 3 starts in AAA with the [[Syracuse SkyChiefs]]. He was sent to the [[Baltimore Orioles]] on May 1, 2004. He added a changeup to his repertoire of pitches, which includes an 87–90&nbsp;mph [[fastball]], and a slow 12–6 [[curveball]].

Chen played for the Panamanian team at the [[2006 World Baseball Classic]].<ref name=Roots/> He threw five innings, giving up four hits, two runs (both earned), and a walk, with three strikeouts, against a powerful [[Cuba]] team in the opening round of the tournament at [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]].

During the 2006 regular season, he went 0–7 with a 6.93 [[earned run average]] (ERA), starting 12 games, but appearing in 28 others coming out of the [[bullpen]]. The Orioles declined to re–sign Chen, and he filed for [[Free agent|free agency]] on November 1, {{mlby|2006}}.

Chen signed a minor league contract with the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] on February 6, {{mlby|2007}}, with an invitation to [[spring training]]. Chen made the Rangers' opening day roster, taking a spot in the bullpen. He was reported to have reworked his contract to accept an outright assignment to [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[Oklahoma Redhawks|Oklahoma]] if room was needed on the roster.

===Later career===

====Royals====
Chen pitched for Panama again at the [[2009 World Baseball Classic]]. On March 1, {{mlby|2009}}, Chen signed a minor league contract with the [[Kansas City Royals]]. He made his debut with the Royals on June 27, 2009. He allowed 4 runs in 7{{fraction|1|3}} innings.  Chen's second start was much better, as he only gave up two runs on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090627&content_id=5566710&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |title=Bucs' homer puts damper on Chen's return<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2009-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703135020/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090627&content_id=5566710&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=2009-07-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On August 6, 2009, Chen won his first major league game since October 2, 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090806&content_id=6289382&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |title=Chen's wait over with convincing win<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2009-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811061838/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090806&content_id=6289382&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=2009-08-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Chen re-signed a minor league contract with the Royals on December 11, 2009. On April 26, 2010, he earned his first MLB [[save (baseball)|save]], in a 3–1 Royals victory over the [[Seattle Mariners]]. He threw seven perfect innings before allowing a hit on July 3, 2010, against the [[Los Angeles Angels]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Holmes|first1=Baxter|title=Angels don't enjoy their quiet time in 4-2 loss to Royals|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jul-03-la-sp-angels-royals-20100704-story.html|access-date=April 21, 2024|newspaper=LA Times|date=July 4, 2010}}</ref> On October 1, 2010, in his last start of the season, Chen threw a two-hit shutout against the [[Tampa Bay Rays]], striking out seven and only walking two. It was the first shutout he threw in his Major League career. He finished the season with a 12–7 record, and an ERA of 4.17.

Bruce had a productive 2011 season, posting a 12–8 record with a 3.77 ERA. On November 23, 2011, Chen agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Royals.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaegel|first1=Dick|title=Royals, Chen agree to two-year contract|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111123&content_id=26037342&vkey=news_kc&c_id=kc&partnerId=rss_kc|access-date=August 29, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=November 23, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Report: Bruce Chen, Royals agree|url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7274925/bruce-chen-kansas-city-royals-agree-9-million-deal|access-date=August 29, 2014|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> In 2012, Chen finished with an 11–14 record and posted an ERA of 5.07. Despite the regression, Chen threw 191.2 innings (2nd highest career total) and had a career high 140 strikeouts. Even though Panama did not qualify for the [[2013 World Baseball Classic]], Chen was contacted by [[China national baseball team|Team China]] about the possibility of playing for them in the Classic.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dick|last=Kaegel|title=Chen may join Team China for Classic|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130113&content_id=40945512&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|access-date=2013-01-17|newspaper=MLB.com|date=2013-01-13}}</ref>

He returned to the Royals for the 2014 season, agreeing to a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.kansascity.com/2014/01/30/4787235/lefty-bruce-chen-will-return-to.html | title=Lefty Bruce Chen will return to Royals for 2014 | publisher=Kansas City Star | date=January 30, 2014 | access-date=January 30, 2014}}</ref> On July 22, he tied Mariano Rivera for most wins earned by a Panamanian-born player with 82.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaegel|first1=Dick|title=Chen ties Mariano for Panamanian wins mark|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/royals-lefty-bruce-chen-matches-mariano-rivera-for-panamanian-wins-mark?ymd=20140723&content_id=85869652&vkey=news_mlb|access-date=August 29, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=July 23, 2014}}</ref> He was designated for assignment on August 29, 2014,<ref>{{cite news|title=Kansas City Royals cut LHP Bruce Chen|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=11433100|access-date=August 29, 2014|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=August 29, 2014}}</ref> and released on September 5.<ref>{{cite news|title=Veteran pitcher Bruce Chen released by Royals|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=11472796|access-date=September 6, 2014|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=September 5, 2014}}</ref>

====Indians====
On February 16, 2015, he agreed to a minor league contract with the [[Cleveland Indians]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bastian|first1=Jordan|title=Chen ready for a new chapter in his career with the Indians|url=http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/109597966/bruce-chen-ready-for-a-new-chapter-in-his-career-with-the-cleveland-indians|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219024644/http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/109597966/bruce-chen-ready-for-a-new-chapter-in-his-career-with-the-cleveland-indians|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 19, 2015|access-date=February 18, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=February 18, 2015}}</ref> The Indians purchased his contract and added him to the active roster on May 9.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indians promote LHP Bruce Chen; designate RHP Anthony Swarzak for assignment|url=http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/123335268/indians-promote-lhp-bruce-chen-designate-rhp-anthony-swarzak-for-assignment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518074049/http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/123335268/indians-promote-lhp-bruce-chen-designate-rhp-anthony-swarzak-for-assignment|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 18, 2015|access-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref> After earning a 12.79 ERA in {{fract|6|1|3}} innings, Chen was designated for assignment on May 16.<ref name=DFA>{{cite web|last1=Leshinski|first1=Ted|title=Indians DFA lefty Bruce Chen (12.79 ERA), recall RHP Austin Adams|url=http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/25187276/indians-dfa-lefty-bruce-chen-1279-era-recall-rhp-austin-adams|work=[[CBS Sports]]|access-date=May 21, 2015|date=May 16, 2015}}</ref> He announced his retirement from baseball two days later.<ref name=retire>[https://www.mlb.com/video/chen-announces-retirement-c121120483 Chen announces retirement]. [[MLB.com]]. May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015.</ref>

Chen came out of retirement to pitch for Team China in the [[2017 World Baseball Classic]].<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/02/15/bruce-chen-world-baseball-classic-china/97959254/  Bruce Chen unretires to pitch in the WBC for China].</ref>

==Post-playing career ==
Following his retirement, Chen worked as a Cultural Development Adviser for the [[Cleveland Indians]] organization. As of November 25, 2017, he was no longer with the Indians, and had moved to the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] organization to serve as their Latin America Field Coordinator.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.diaadia.com.pa/deportes/bruce-chen-se-une-los-dodgers-329016|title = Bruce Chen se une a los Dodgers}}</ref>

==Personal==
Chen and his wife Mary have three daughters.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Crasnick|first1=Jerry|author-link1=Jerry Crasnick|title=The three geezer pitchers of the WBC|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18815842/why-eric-gagne-ryan-dempster-bruce-chen-pitching-world-baseball-classic|access-date=March 5, 2017|work=ESPN.com|date=March 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Bastian|first1=Jordan|title=Chen reflects on road back to big leagues|url=http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/123182924/indians-bruce-chen-reflects-on-road-back-to-big-leagues|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523040607/http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/123182924/indians-bruce-chen-reflects-on-road-back-to-big-leagues|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 23, 2015|access-date=May 9, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=May 8, 2015}}</ref> Chen is the only alumnus of the Panamerican Institute to make the major leagues.<ref name=BRIP>{{cite web|title=Instituto Panamericano (Panama, Panama, PA)|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/schools/index.cgi?key_school=4a37bbea|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=May 21, 2015}}</ref> He has studied [[civil engineering]] during the baseball off-season at [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]].

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|Panama}}
{{baseballstats|mlb=136600|espn=3926|br=c/chenbr01|fangraphs=769|brm=chen--001bru|retro=C/Pchenb001}}
*{{twitter|ChenMusic|Bruce Chen}}

{{Panama 2006 World Baseball Classic roster}}
{{Panama 2009 World Baseball Classic roster}}
{{China roster 2017 World Baseball Classic}}
{{Kansas City Royals Opening Day starting pitchers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chen, Bruce}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Atlanta Braves players]]
[[Category:Baltimore Orioles players]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds players]]
[[Category:Cleveland Indians players]]
[[Category:Columbus Clippers players]]
[[Category:Danville Braves players]]
[[Category:Eugene Emeralds players]]
[[Category:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball players]]
[[Category:Greenville Braves players]]
[[Category:Gulf Coast Braves players]]
[[Category:Houston Astros players]]
[[Category:Indios de Mayagüez players]]
[[Category:Panamanian expatriate baseball players in Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Kansas City Royals players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Dodgers personnel]]
[[Category:Macon Braves players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players from Panama]]
[[Category:21st-century Panamanian sportsmen]]
[[Category:Montreal Expos players]]
[[Category:New York Mets players]]
[[Category:Northwest Arkansas Naturals players]]
[[Category:Oklahoma RedHawks players]]
[[Category:Omaha Royals players]]
[[Category:Omaha Storm Chasers players]]
[[Category:Ottawa Lynx players]]
[[Category:Panamanian people of Chinese descent]]
[[Category:Panamanian expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
[[Category:Panamanian expatriate baseball players in the United States]]
[[Category:Pawtucket Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies players]]
[[Category:Reading Phillies players]]
[[Category:Richmond Braves players]]
[[Category:Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Panama City]]
[[Category:Sportspeople of Chinese descent]]
[[Category:Syracuse SkyChiefs players]]
[[Category:Texas Rangers players]]
[[Category:Tiburones de La Guaira players]]
[[Category:Panamanian expatriate baseball players in Venezuela]]
[[Category:2006 World Baseball Classic players]]
[[Category:2009 World Baseball Classic players]]
[[Category:2017 World Baseball Classic players]]