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June 03, 2005
E-Mail: E-Yankees, Not To Keep Wang
From a recent Daily News Report:
Three Taiwanese legislators recently urged Taiwanese fans of Chien-Ming Wang to E-mail the Yankees' media relations department to ask that the righthander remain in the majors, though Wang likely faces demotion when Jaret Wright is healthy.
As a result, the Yankees say, around 400 E-mails have poured in, all supporting Wang. Ben Tuliebitz, a media relations coordinator, said his Blackberry beeped through the night as E-mails arrived recently. The next morning, he had 72 E-mails in support of Wang.
"They're obviously very enthusiastic about him," said Rick Cerrone, the Yanks' director of media relations.
Wang, 25, is 3-1 with a 4.06 ERA this season after taking Wright's spot in the rotation on April 30. He is slated to pitch Saturday against the Twins in Minneapolis. But since the Yankees are paying Wright $21 million over three years, Wang probably will be headed to Triple-A Columbus if Wright can return from a shoulder injury.
Wang is a star in Taiwan and did well in the 2004 Olympics, going 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA in two starts. Three Taiwanese television crews and a handful of print reporters regularly cover Wang's starts, the Yankees said. Wang's outings have been broadcast live on Taiwan Public Television since his second start for the Yanks, May 5 at Tampa Bay.
"He's a national hero over there," said Wang's agent, Alan Chang. "He led the national team there to a lot of successes and became a household name. The whole country is excited about him being in the majors."
Surprisingly, there have been no reported efforts by legislators from Ontario, Canada, urging fans to write the Yankees in an effort to save Paul Quantrill's spot on the roster if/when Jaret Wright returns to the team.
Maybe that should read "gratefully" instead of "surprisingly"?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at June 3, 2005 02:51 PM
Comments
What's his Email address? I'd like to join in.
This money issue is absolutely, insanely IDIOTIC! If I bought a Ferrari and crashed it and had a Ford Taurus that outperformed my useless Ferrari I wouldn't attempt to drive the Ferrari around based on the fact that I spent 10 times more on it than my Ford Taurus.
Good Lord!
Posted by: JJay at June 3, 2005 03:23 PM
You'd be suprised... I mean, the "proven veteran" vs "untested rookie" thing has been done to death already.
While it's nice to have a team that's willing to spend like the Yankees, I have an admiration for a GM who's willing to look at all angles to acquire a player, be it the rule V draft, or a nontendered FA, or a stopgap in someone else's minor league system, or even someone on another team's roster.
Posted by: Raf at June 3, 2005 04:12 PM
JJay-
Keep in mind that you are still making payments on that Ferrari. So- once your Ferrari comes back from the "shop"- wouldn't you at least test it out for a while to see if it is running fine, before you ditch it for your trusty ol' Taurus?
Posted by: Phil at June 4, 2005 02:08 AM
Good point. But how long is this test drive?
(Ugh, I gotta stop with these metaphors!)
Posted by: JJay at June 4, 2005 02:28 PM
I would say 2 weeks (or three starts)
but with the Yankees reeling in 4th place- maybe they give him two starts before he is banished to beyond the left center field fence
Posted by: Phil at June 4, 2005 03:50 PM
I can live with that.
Posted by: JJay at June 4, 2005 05:30 PM