Word coming out of Taiwan is that (now former) Chinese Taipei manager Hong Yi-Chen has been removed from his duties as the Chinese Taipei manager in preparation for the upcoming 2009 World Baseball Classic.
While poor management and questionable roster selection for the 2008 Olympics certainly played a role, Taiwan’s now infamous 8-7 loss to China most likely sealed Hong’s fate.
The move is a positive step for Taiwan’s national team program as they seek to field a more competitive team in the all-important WBC. A replacement has yet to be named.
15 responses so far ↓
1 DJ // Sep 21, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Is there any possible chance that Chien-Ming Wang will agree to join the WBC squad? Coming off that injury, there will be a lot of pressure from the Yankees for him to take things easy in spring training to be ready for the regular season. (And remember that there were some rumors in 2006 that the Boss wouldn’t let him play in that year’s Classic at all.)
Without Wang, I see no way Taiwan wins more than one game in its opening round of pool play. Luckily for Taiwan, that game would likely be a redemptive re-match against the PRC.
2 John Brooks // Sep 21, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Is there any possible chance that Chien-Ming Wang will agree to join the WBC squad? Coming off that injury, there will be a lot of pressure from the Yankees for him to take things easy in spring training to be ready for the regular season. (And remember that there were some rumors in 2006 that the Boss wouldn’t let him play in that year’s Classic at all.)
I would think that the Yankees would like to keep Wang’s innings down and would probably prevent him from playing. Also, it wasn’t just Wang, the Boss didn’t let Matsui play either and wasn’t very enthused with the WBC).
3 Jackson // Sep 21, 2008 at 5:24 pm
No insider info on this one but I would guess no for the above reasons John pointed out.
Taiwan can still field a decent team if they make more savvy roster selections. They kept a lot of games close during the olympics in spite of themselves and with some savvier managing a surprising showing isn’t out the question.
4 Shinsano // Sep 21, 2008 at 10:31 pm
That’s good news for Taiwan. I bet they bounce back and a little in the WBC. They really hung in against Korea.
5 DJ // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:17 am
For what it’s worth, I don’t buy the rumor that Steinbrenner barred his players from participating in the WBC. Jeter, A-Rod, and Johnny Damon played on Team USA, after all. And I sure don’t think he singled out the foreign-born players, either (despite the notable absences of Matsui and especially Mariano from their national teams). But it WAS widely reported that the Boss put some pressure on his players not to play. And he made it as clear as he could that he didn’t support the WBC.
Oh, and in case you haven’t noticed, it’s been reported that Taiwan will play Korea in their first WBC game. (That means Japan will open Pool A play against China at the Tokyo Dome on March 5.)
With Wang starting, Taiwan would actually be favored to win, right? And if that happened, it would mean (in the WBC’s double-elimination format) that Taiwan would then likely play Japan for the right to advance to the round of eight. A loss to Japan would, in turn, likely mean that Taiwan would have a re-match against Korea in an elimination game. Could be pretty exciting.
6 Shinsano // Sep 22, 2008 at 6:48 am
If Wang is there it’ll be a very exciting draw. Taiwan would have new coach, front line starter and a new mentality. They’d be getting back to where they were last year and the year before.
I’d say any of the three teams could advance…keep in mind two would move on.
7 will // Sep 22, 2008 at 8:57 am
Having Wang would definitely bring more people to watch WBC in Japan.
8 DJ // Sep 22, 2008 at 9:23 am
I wonder if Team Taiwan will use Hong-Chih Kuo as a starter or in the role he’s excelled in with the Dodgers: long and middle relief?
9 simon // Sep 22, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I’d love to watch Wang in Tokyo, but I somehow doubt it’ll happen..
10 Matt // Sep 22, 2008 at 2:25 pm
“I’d love to watch Wang in Tokyo, but I somehow doubt it’ll happen..”
Man, if I had a nickel for everytime you said that.
11 John Brooks // Sep 22, 2008 at 3:24 pm
For what it’s worth, I don’t buy the rumor that Steinbrenner barred his players from participating in the WBC. Jeter, A-Rod, and Johnny Damon played on Team USA, after all. And I sure don’t think he singled out the foreign-born players, either (despite the notable absences of Matsui and especially Mariano from their national teams). But it WAS widely reported that the Boss put some pressure on his players not to play. And he made it as clear as he could that he didn’t support the WBC.
I never said The Boss singled out foreign players. I mean Damon, Williams, Rodriguez, and Jeter isn’t a lot of players. And I think your forgetting the power The Boss had. He might not came out and said you can’t play in the Classic, but when he hints something his players usually follow the line.
Also, seeing as how Wang came off of injury this year I highly doubt we’ll be seeing him in the Classic. Hey if I’m wrong, then all the better, but the smart thing to do would be rest Wang’s arm for the regular season when it really counts for the Yankees.
I wonder if Team Taiwan will use Hong-Chih Kuo as a starter or in the role he’s excelled in with the Dodgers: long and middle relief?
I have to think that Taiwan would use in relief seeing as that’s where he’s excelled in and came into a niche at. Moving him out of roles could mess with him chemistry. And the Dodgers probably wouldn’t be too pleased with Kuo racking up so many innings.
Finally closing off it should be a interesting Pool A bracket. Japan will look to redeem themselves after their lackluster Olympic performance, Korea will look to solidify themselves and add on their strong 2006 WBC performance, and Taiwan will want to redeem themselves for their disasterous performance in the Olympics. It should all add up for what could be the best pool of play.
12 IronChef // Sep 22, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Kuo will pitch in the WBC, in his traditional role of “up or down by 10 runs”
Also, fuck Hank
13 bigdaub // Sep 22, 2008 at 10:38 pm
this is taiwan that we are talking about. i wouldn’t be surprised if they make kuo a starter. in fact, i would almost expect a move like that.
what i hope and think they should do is make kuo the long closer for the team. let him pitch the last two innings to close out the game.
14 John Brooks // Sep 23, 2008 at 8:17 am
Also, fuck Hank
Yeah for what it’s worth, I could care less about Hank and his twin Hal either.
this is taiwan that we are talking about. i wouldn’t be surprised if they make kuo a starter. in fact, i would almost expect a move like that.
Yeah, I understand that. Maybe with a new manager comes some new sense. And hopefully they’ll keep Kuo in a closer or set-up role where I think he excel.
15 DJ // Sep 23, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I just read that there’s an obscure WBC rule that bars professionals who ended the season on the disabled list from participating. Players can individually appeal to have the rule waived. But that just about seals it for Wang, I think.
Too bad.
Leave a Comment