Chien-Ming Wang, a right-handed pitcher from Taiwan, became a well-known figure in Major League Baseball during his career. Born on March 31, 1980, in Tainan City, Taiwan, Wang's journey to the major leagues began when he signed with the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in 2000. His early years in the minor leagues were marked by steady development, and he made his MLB debut with the Yankees on April 30, 2005.
Wang quickly established himself as a reliable starter for the Yankees. In his rookie season, he posted an 8-5 record with a 4.02 ERA, demonstrating his potential as a valuable asset to the team's pitching rotation. His performance earned him a spot in the Yankees' starting rotation for the following season.
The 2006 season was a breakout year for Wang. He won 19 games, tying for the most wins in the American League, and finished with a 3.63 ERA. His ability to induce ground balls with his sinker pitch made him particularly effective, and he finished second in the Cy Young Award voting that year. Wang's success continued in 2007, as he again won 19 games and maintained a 3.70 ERA, solidifying his reputation as one of the Yankees' top pitchers.
However, Wang's career faced challenges beginning in 2008. He started the season strong but suffered a significant foot injury while running the bases during an interleague game against the Houston Astros. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season, and he finished with an 8-2 record and a 4.07 ERA.
The aftermath of the injury proved difficult for Wang. In 2009, he struggled to regain his form, posting a 1-6 record with a 9.64 ERA before being placed on the disabled list with shoulder issues. The Yankees chose not to offer him a contract for the 2010 season, making him a free agent.
Wang signed with the Washington Nationals in 2010, though he spent the entire season recovering from shoulder surgery. He returned to the mound in 2011, making 11 starts and finishing with a 4-3 record and a 4.04 ERA. Wang re-signed with the Nationals for the 2012 season, but injuries continued to hamper his performance, and he ended the year with a 2-3 record and a 6.68 ERA.
In 2013, Wang signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees but was released before the season began. He then joined the Toronto Blue Jays, where he made six starts, posting a 1-2 record with a 7.67 ERA before being designated for assignment. Wang spent the remainder of the season in the minor leagues with the Yankees and the Cincinnati Reds.
Wang continued to pursue opportunities in professional baseball, signing minor league contracts with the Reds in 2014 and the Atlanta Braves in 2015. Although he did not make it back to the major leagues during these stints, he remained determined to continue his career.
In 2016, Wang signed with the Kansas City Royals, where he transitioned to a relief role. He appeared in 38 games, posting a 6-0 record with a 4.22 ERA, marking a successful return to the majors. This season with the Royals would be his last in Major League Baseball.
Throughout his career, Wang was known for his sinkerball, which helped him induce ground balls and keep hitters off balance.
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