Aloha Ka Punahou 2004.20
Where was Liao?
In 2004 Rf Liao Kuan hit .311, smashed 38 home runs, and drove in 107 runners—
good enough to win the "Triple Crown" for Hawai'i.
Liao also led all JL players in Extra Base Hits with 75. Yes, that's right: more than
home run champ Jim Wilson, more than your Pucketts and Vazquezes. (Only two FL
players had more XBH). Liao was 4th in Total Bases and hits; 6th in home runs, 7th
in RBIs, and 6th in Runs Created.
So where was he when the All Star Balloting came around?
In the doldrums.
Liao's first half numbers were: .308, 15 home runs, and 48 RBIs. Good enough for
All Star selection in some leagues. But not in the batter-rich MBWBA.
The 27-year-old, who set season marks for Hawai'i last season with 48 home runs
and 374 total bases (both 2nd in the JL), had an unassuming Spring: .310-3-10.
But he still has some lessons to learn in Western etiquette. Last year (May 2003) he
was suspended 3 games for arguing a ball and strike call.
This year started off rougher: in the second game of the season, Liao was ejected
after one at-bat and received a 7-game suspension for "brawling." The game log is
lost. But Hawai'i fans recall Liao being pinged by Valencia's starter.
Sitting out 7 games so early in the season, it seems Liao lost momentum. Even so,
he still managed 624 at-bats (7th, JL) despite missing the week.
Liao's parents wrote from Jilin, China (yes, they follow his exploits there), saying
they were displeased with his actions, his fighting, his suspension. Three months
later they wrote saying they were displeased with his not being picked for the All-
Star Game.
In the second half of 2004, Liao hit .313, blasted 23 home runs, and drove in 59 run-
ners for a team that placed 11th in runs scored in the JL.
A .313-46-118 season might have pleased his parents. His second-half numbers, had
they been first half numbers, might have got him in the All-Star Game.
