Taiwan’s already thinning menu of roster choices for the 2009 WBC grew slimmer yesterday, as Yankee ace Wang Chien-Ming announced he would not be available to join the competition. According to a Taiwan News article, Yankees GM Brian Cashman put the kibosh on any plans for Wang to join the Chinese Taipei squad.
The La New Bears and Sinon Bulls–two of the four remaining pro teams in Taiwan’s dwindling CPBL–have already tentatively prohibited their players from participating, leaving Taiwanese baseball fans to wonder just who will represent Chinese Taipei in the WBC. With a lot of free time on their hands, the roster could consist of a lot of former D-Media and Chinatrust Whales players.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Shinsano // Nov 12, 2008 at 11:09 pm
That’s pretty disappointing. May as well take CT right out of the picture…Korea and Japan get a free pass to round two.
I don’t get it. I really thought MLB would push teams and players to get behind the WBC.
Aren’t there any cooler duds in the East Village these days?
2 John Brooks // Nov 13, 2008 at 12:05 am
I really thought MLB would push teams and players to get behind the WBC.
It’s probably Hank and Hal continuing his dad’s legacy. King George didn’t care at all about the Classic in 06 and neither do his sons and especially to risk injury for Wang.
Now what do I think? It’s disappointing to see Taiwan without what is their best pitcher, but as I predicted that Wang would not play because of injuries.
Also finally, I don’t think its all of MLB that doesn’t want the WBC to work its the Yankees. There a financial powerhouse why would they care if fails or doesn’t? And MLB hasn’t done a good job in the past of intimidating the Yankees either.
3 baekgom84 // Nov 13, 2008 at 1:43 am
Very disappointing. I can’t think of any other major international non-Olympic sporting event where player participation is even a problem. This situation needs to be rectified if MLB are serious about taking their act to the world stage.
4 DJ // Nov 13, 2008 at 5:47 am
I agree it’s disappointing, but remember that Wang is coming off an injury. In another year, it might be a different story.
5 No WBC for Wang as Pride of Taiwan Celebrates His Return From The … // Nov 13, 2008 at 2:04 pm
[...] Read the rest here: No WBC for Wang as Pride of Taiwan Celebrates His Return From The … [...]
Leave a Comment