[新聞] Wang looks to be even better than la …

[xiemark (aisinjuro)]

※ [本文轉錄自 NY-Yankees 看板]

作者: xiemark (aisinjuro) 看板: NY-Yankees
標題: [新聞] Wang looks to be even better than last season
時間: Sun Mar  4 19:46:48 2007

Wang looks to be even better than last season


By PETER ABRAHAM
Gannett News Service

TAMPA, Fla. -- Chien-Ming Wang faced six batters Thursday when the Yankees opened the exhibition season against the Minnesota Twins.

Five of the Twins grounded out and one flew to left. Wang threw only 19 pitches and left the mound to loud cheers from the sellout crowd at Legends Field.

Great start to the season, right?

"No, my pitches were up," Wang said after the Yankees finished off a 6-1 victory. "It was just one game in the spring. No problem. But I need to do better."

It's hard to better perfection, or the 19-6 record Wang had last season when he finished second in the Cy Young Award voting in the American League. But the 26-year-old is determined to find a way.

Wang made commercials for McDonald's, Nike and other companies during the off-season in his native Taiwan, more than doubling what he will earn playing baseball this season. But he broke away in January and spent a month in Arizona with a personal trainer.

He reported to Tampa with stronger legs and better defined abdominal muscles. Wang hopes his increased level of fitness will help him get through the summer.

"I got tired in some games last season," he said. "I want to change that."

Manager Joe Torre has been around Wang enough to know that his accomplishments of a year ago won't change the pitcher who has become his ace.

"He's got such a great way about him, especially for being in New York and having the success he had," Torre said. "He just looks like it as it's his job."

Catcher Jorge Posada stayed on Wang Thursday to tighten up his arm angle and put more sinking motion on his fastball. But even though his pitches were up, the Twins couldn't do much with them.

"That's what the sinker will do for you," Posada said. "But he missed a few times."

With two outs in the second, Wang wanted to bury a fastball against Jason Kubel. The ball floated, however, and Kubel was able to line it to left. But Hideki Matsui was there to make the catch.

"(Wang) wasn't happy with himself. But he had good stuff," Torre said. "He spoils you so much with how efficient he is. So if he misses by a little bit, he feels he's not right. But I was pleased."

Wang wants to incorporate his slider and changeup more often this season to keep hitters from focusing on his sinker. Posada is stressing game preparation, telling Wang to spend more time studying opposing hitters.

Can Wang be even better than he was last season? It's hard for Torre to imagine.

"I don't know if he can pitch better than that. I can't say if he struck out more people (he'd be better) but that's not his game," the manager said. "As far as I was concerned, I felt he was pretty consistent all year. He'll get better through experience but as far as his physical abilities, he's got a pretty good grip."

Wang's newfound status brings with it additional responsibilities, including answering questions from a growing number of reporters from Taiwanese media outlets. Playful with teammates and friends, he is introverted in interviews. But he's working on that, too.

"I know people in Taiwan are watching," he said. "I am proud of that. It's important for baseball in Taiwan."

It's equally as important for the Yankees.

"That guy can be special," Posada said. "He was great for us last season and he could get better if he does the work. He has all the tools."


Reach Peter Abraham at [e-mail] and read his Yankees blog at www.lohud.com/blogs




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