Pettitte vs TOR

1:36pm Today, I need to work on some of my family stuffs, so I will stay up late. Of course, That means I can watch some Yankees games. It's 1:36am in Taiwan.

1:39pm I just watch opening ceremony of 2009 Summer Deaflympics in Taipei. It is great, especially the part presents Taiwan delicious food. It is so cue. If you have the chance to watch it. Do it and tell me how you feel.

1:46pm OK, go back to the Yankees game. Amazing. Our bombers don't waste any more time to get a lead on the top of second inning.

1:52pm I only can say Jeter is a great actor for that ball 4.

1:54pm I thought I could see Swisher work the count to get a ball 4 for a run.

1:57pm Man, that is quick. Pettitte just gives up a run right back.

1:59pm Wait. I don't think it is a homerun. I guess replay agree with me as well.

2:26pm It seems to me Melky pays for his buddy, Cano for that homerun.

2:43pm That is a great play by Cano to get the 3rd in order to avoid Blue Jays scoring that lead run.

2:46pm That is a great job by Teixeira to give Yankees and Pettitte a lead back this soon.

3:34pm This is the breathing room Pettitte and Yankees bullpen needs.

Wang met Taiwan little league team

Wang just got off the sling and was re-checked by doctor according to Taiwanese news channel. Wang said he is going to everything he can to be ready for next season.

As Peter writes on his blog, Wang has done his part to help out Taiwan. In fact, this is not the only thing Wang has done for his hometown.

Taiwan little league team presents Asia Pacific and goes to Williamsport for 2009 Little league World Series. Even though the team from California wins 2009 Little League World Series, Taiwan little league also has played well to win second place.

Wang shows up by himself to give all kids a surprise. He not only met kids but also brought gifts.

It is fresh for me to watch kids playing baseball.

Welcome to Yankees family, Swisher

Sorry about being late. I am sure you guys already read a lot of analysis from different blogs and media outlets regard of this issue.

The reason I like this trade for three reasons.

First of all, This shows us Brian Cashman and Yankees front office really have a plan on hands. They know what they are going to do. No matter you agree with their plan or not, it seems things always come out with better results when you know what you are doing. Cashman is not going away from his plan because of 2008 season which is get younger. I like this direction which focuses on pitching and defense.

I remember I read a quote from Ichiro regard of the difference between American baseball and Asian baseball. Ichiro says American baseball plays to score more runs than the other team when Asian baseball plays to prevent the other team from scoring. In Asian countries, we are used to play low scoring game all the time. For example, we have a Asian championship series joined by the championship teams of Japanese, Korean, China and Taiwanese pro league to fight for the alternative championship. We play from November 13th to 16th. Scores of first day of tournament is like 2-1 and 4-3.

Secondly, I like the way Swisher play baseball. I got this impression when I watch him playing in A's. He is type of player Yankees need. Yankees don't need 25 superstars on the field. It has been proved that we can't win a championship that way. He is grind and gutty type of player. He not only has a great personality to loose up teammates but also play all out with 110% efforts all the time.

Finally, This puts everyone a doubt whether Yankees will go after Tiexeria or not. I believe most people's reaction to this trade is Yankess are not going to go after Tiexeria. Of course, I don't know what Yankees will do. It is always not a good thing to go into negotiation with Boras without any leverage.

On top of that, it definitely increases the chances we get CC. Think about it. When Dodgers are busy at chasing Manny and Angels probably feel more confidents on getting Tiexeria now, who is that California team that will bid for CC? Giants? I don't think so, they already signed Barry Zito with a huge contract with enough young pitching on hands. They need bats, not pitchers.

Wang won't participate WBC

I guess I need to think one more topic to talk about this off-season. I said I will talk about the possibility for Wang to participate WBC at preview post. Taiwanese reporters work extremely fast on this topic and already found the right man to answer this matter. However, I don't think I will lack topics to talk about New York Yankees this off-season.

One Taiwanese reporter found Brian Cashman to answer this question. Cashman basically said Yankees always allow their players to particiapate WBC. However, Yankees won't allow players who injured during season to take part in WBC. Yankees don't allow not only Wang but also Hideki Matsui to go. Cashman said Wang need to focus on his rehab this off-season.

The interesting thing for this whole thing for me is not only Taiwanese reporters interested in this topic but also Japanese reporters. Why? Japanese start worrying that Wang will be able to participate will impact their chance in WBC.

When Wang was told by Taiwanese reporter about the comment from Brian Cashman, Wang said,"I feel a little disappinted because I really want to wear Taiwanese uniform and help my Taiwanese team, so I need to wait another chance for this. However, I always respect and listen to Yankees' decision."

That's why Taiwanese love Chien-Ming Wang. Of course, we support every Taiwanese player, but no Taiwanese at any sport or any field has ever been treated like this. We have pretty successful Taiwanese at a lot of area. Wang is the first one to be treated like this. This is not for his success at New York Yankees.

This is for his personality which present characteristics of Taiwanese so well. He always works hard quietly and doesn't want to be the center of focus. He treats everyone like he is just a normal person. Even now, he is like that. The most important thing is he is not thinking about himself. He is thinking about helping team to win ball game all the time. Even though he injured his foot in June, he still doesn't think about himself. Wang said he would like to participate if Yankees allow him to go all the way.

For me? As a Taiwanese Yankees fan, I actually breathe a sigh of relief. This season proves Yankees really need a healthy Wang the whole 2009 season. Wang also has a long way to go for his rehab during off-season. The way WBC put together their schedule. I won't agree any pitcher to participate. On top of that, any internatinal tournament for me should be the stage for young players to get more experience. Of course, I don't mind to win few international tournament along the way. However, for now, Taiwanese baseball need to focus on improving their professional league, not to think to make it better by winning international tournament.

Taiwan beat Netherlands 5:0

Congrats, Taiwan.

Every team has to win at least 4 wins in order to get into semi-final of Olympic games. This year will be the final year there is a baseball game in Olympic games. Who knows when they will put baseball game back to Olympic games. It certainly means a lot no matter which team win it.

My Taiwan team gets off a good start to get a first win and takes a big step toward to semi-final. Tonight, Taiwan will go against Japan which ranks higher than us in this competition. I won't be able to cheer for my Taiwan team tonight, but I know they will fight until the last minute.

Netherlands is a must win for us in order to get into semi-final and then will be the games against China, Korea and Canada.

23-year-old lefty Wei-Yin Chen who plays professional baseball in Japan now starts for Taiwan.

Starter Wei-Yin Chen 7IP 3H 7SO 0R/ER/BB
Reliever Kai-Wen Cheng 2IP 1H 0R/ER 1BB

Our lineup does a great job to move runners and get run in. Of course, position players also play a great defense behind the pitchers on the field. Obviously, when your pitcher pitch 9 scoreless innings and position players play a flawless defense, it will be a great game to watch for fans.

Let's go Taiwan!!

P.S. I think you guys know there is a Japan pitcher called Yu Darvish who is in this competition as well. Of course, Darvish is the ACE of Japan team. If you can, keep eyes on him. A lot of scouts believe he is better than Dice-K.

I haven't got the chance to watch him pitching. I know he was pitching for Japan against Cuba last night. Cuba beat Japan 4-2. People believe one of those two teams along with U.S is going to win Gold medal.

Darvish didn't pitch well last night.

Darvish 4IP 7H 4ER 6SO 4BB(I believe he threw over 100 pitches)

Olympic Baseball Game~Let's Go Taiwan( Game 1 vs Netherlands)

Have you paid attention on Olympic games? I actually did. This probably makes me less painful when Yankees lose games. You know, distract attention. I think you at least have to keep your eyes on your national baseball team how they play in Beijing Olympic game.

Taiwan is going to play against Netherlands for game 1 today. Can't wait. Let's Go Taiwan!

Congrats to my Taiwanese National Baseball Team

This is a signature in Mandarin from Wang to send his congrats to his national team about getting ticket for 2008 Beijing Olympic. You can tell Wang care Taiwan baseball a lot.

My Taiwan National Baseball team beat Australia 5:0 and we will get our ticket to go to 2008 Beijing Olympic if we win south Africa today(we will). Taiwanese starting pitcher Jian-Fu Yang pitched 4 hits 9 inning shutout ball without walking a batter. Well, Pitching is always the strongest part of Taiwanese baseball game, not offense. We always have to play small ball to scratch runs, so you can say my Taiwanese baseball team is more like Angels.

Couple of plays from my Taiwanese National Team during Final Olympic Qualification Tournament

I don't know you guys know this news or not. There are eight national baseball teams playing in Taiwan for Final Olympic Qualification Tournament which these 8 countries fight for the last 3 tickets to 2008 Beijing Olympics now, including Korea, Taiwan(Chinese Taipei-TPE in the videos below), Canada, Australia, Mexico, Germany, Spain and South Africa. The current standing is Korea and Canada probably in for two tickets and Taiwan have to fight for the last ticket with Australia today because Taiwan lost to Canada 5-6 in a 10-innings game yesterday.

There are couple of plays I want to share with you guys. I have to warn you guys first, these two videos are broadcasting in Mandarin and are cut from the game Taiwan vs Canada.

First one (below)is the Kuo Hui Lo's homerun at 6 inning to reverse score at that moment. The reason I want to share you guys this video is showing how much passion Taiwanese have for baseball and our national team. You don't have to understand Mandarin to feel that when you watch this video. By the way, Kuo Hui Lo is a outfielder prospect in Seattle Mariners minor(A). Did you see he hitting that off-speed pitch to center field for three-runs homerun?



Second one (below)is a collision at home plate happened at the same game when Taiwanese right outfielder threw out a Canada player and preserve the lead at that moment. You can see replays from different angles for that play in the middle of film. You also can sense the intense throughout whole video while enjoy and appreciate that great play at the same time.



After watching these two videos, you can sense how high expectation Taiwanese have for Wang.