CHIEN-MING WANG THE YANKEES' QUIET ACE
GEORGE A. KING III
March 1, 2008 -- CLEARWATER, Fla. -
Chien-Ming Wang operates in a universe where three kids are smothered in
attention even though none have spent a full season in the big leagues,
one veteran is up to his neck in the Roger Clemens saga and another is
trying to fend off Father Time.
So, despite winning 19 games in each of the past two seasons, Wang makes
no ripples in the pool when he dives in. Part of it is the language barrier
that disappears a little bit every year. However, Wang's ice-like demeanor
and no-nonsense approach to pitching have as much to do with him not getting
much attention.
Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy are media darlings for their
arrival together in The Bronx, their outgoing personalities and because none
of them were swapped for Johan Santana. Andy Pettitte has been asked about
the Mitchell Report, HGH and Clemens more than his curveball. At 39,
Mike Mussina answers questions about being able to help the Yankees.
And Wang cruises through the Groundhog-like days of spring training with
a small smile for everyone. Even after losing an arbitration case in which
he filed for $4.6 million. Instead, he will make $4 million this year to
be Joe Girardi's ace.
So, after winning 38 games in the past two seasons but getting spanked twice
by the Indians in the ALDS last October, Wang is using the exhibition
schedule to add a wrinkle or two to his signature sinking fastball that
hitters often describe as trying to hit a bowling ball.
"[AL East teams], you are going to see them four or five times so you have
to make adjustments because they will make adjustments on you," Girardi said.
A year ago Wang was in line to be the Yankees' Opening Day starter until
a hamstring popped during a routine running exercise. That delayed his
season by three weeks.
Now, with the playoff beatings and the arbitration hearing behind him,
Wang is perched again to throw the first pitch of the Yankees' season on
March 31 against the Blue Jays.
"He has a real good chance of being our Opening Day starter this year,"
Girardi said of the soon-to-be 29-year-old right-hander with a career
mark of 46-18 and a 3.74 ERA. (阿！不是3月31日才要28歲嗎？自動幫他加一歲？？)
In order to keep the muscle-bound lineups of Boston and Cleveland off his
sinker, the Yankees are coaxing Wang into improving his slider and adding
another pitch.
"You can continue to develop the change-up and continue to locate better,"
Girardi said. "There are a lot of different things you can do, but he is
pretty polished."
Wang said he deleted the Cleveland nightmare (0-2; 19.06 ERA) and Girardi
hasn't seen signs otherwise.
"I have not seen that, I don't think it did," Girardi said of Wang still
nursing a hangover. "He struggled a little bit; so did Cy Young last year,
C.C. Sabathia. It's going to happen."
According to Girardi, he doesn't have to stay in touch constantly with Wang
to make sure his head is where it's supposed to be.
"There are those players who you don't need to say much to," Girardi said.
"They just go out and do it."
In Wang's case, he does it very well while sitting far in the background.
http://tinyurl.com/23dx9c
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 140.109.23.103
※ 編輯: yyhong68 來自: 140.109.23.103 (03/03 17:21)