Former Seibu Lions pitcher Chang Chih-chia, whose career was marred by allegations of match-fixing in his native Taiwan, died in China on Monday at the age of 43, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported Tuesday.
According to the report, Chang's landlord found him lying dead in his apartment after being asked to check on him by his mother. The cause of death has not been officially determined.
Pitching for his national team, Chang attracted attention with a complete game shutout of Japan in the bronze medal game of the 2001 World Cup.
Chang went 26-19 with one save for the Lions, whom he joined during the 2002 season. He won 10 games that year to contribute to the Lions' Pacific League pennant and left following the 2006 season, having posted a 3.81 career ERA in Japan.
His contract in Taiwan was canceled in 2009 after he was alleged to have taken part in match-fixing.
