The nation's baseball fans were all frowns yesterday after a second straight disastrous performance by national hero Wang Chien-ming (王建民) saw the New York Yankees bundled out of the American League playoffs.
The starting ace was chased from the do-or-die game against the Cleveland Indians after just three outs -- when he had already staked the Indians to a 4-0 lead. They won 6-4 to bring New York's season to an end.
"I think Wang faltered today because he was under enormous pressure and he probably didn't have enough rest after a three-day break," said Richard Lin (
"There is no more hope for the Yankees," one fan wrote in an online forum, calling for Wang to quit the Major Leagues and return to pro baseball back in his homeland. "Let's welcome Wang home and give him a hug."
Yesterday's outing was the shortest start of Wang's US career.
"I feel so sad for Wang but I hope he can learn from his failures and better cope with pressure to become a great pitcher," another fan said in the online forum.
Despite his performance, some fans had encouraging words for the 27-year-old.
"You will always be the glory of Taiwan no matter how poorly you played this time," one of his online supporters wrote. "You just have to play harder next year."
Also see story:
Tribe chase Wang, knock out Yankees in first round
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