After the blockbuster signings this winter, Chien-Ming Wang's name on the roster seemed nearly as unnoticeable as his limited English sometimes makes him appear in the clubhouse.
But when Wang takes the ball Wednesday, he will no longer be an afterthought buried under the avalanche of new, high-priced talent. Wang will be what he has been when healthy for the past three seasons -- the guy the Yankees turn to when they need a win. OK, they don't exactly need one just yet in Game No. 2 of the season, but it might be fitting if Wang ends up with the club's first victory.
After all, Wang won 19 games for the club in both 2006 and '07 and eight more in '08 before a foot injury ended his season last June. Of course, it was a little easier to forget such success while the Yankees were throwing $21 million a year at new ace CC Sabathia and $16 million at A.J. Burnett. Meantime, Wang slipped in at a more economical $5 million while rehabbing from the foot injury.
Folks were so carried away with the new talent, many projections immediately had Burnett penciled in as the No. 2 starter, but manager Joe Girardi wisely put Wang in that role and Burnett behind him in the No. 3 spot.
For one thing, it made sense to split up power pitchers Sabathia and Burnett with Wang, who provides a nice change with his sinker.
For another, Wang's the one who's been around New York and succeeded and can take some pressure off the newcomers he's sandwiched between.
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