Taiwanese pitcher Wang Chien-ming made it on to the Kansas City Royals’ 25-man roster. The local newspaper Kansas City Star reported that the news is a big turning point in Wang’s professional baseball career in the United States. Even President-elect Tsai Ing-wen cheered for him on her Facebook page upon hearing the news.
The report said that 36-year old Wang was New York Yankees’ former ace pitcher. It is Wang’s first time earning a spot on a Major League roster since 2013.
Most people thought Wang’s career was over until the velocity of his trademark sinker rose from 89 miles per hour to 95 mph which impressed his manager Ned Yost. Yost said that he envisions Wang as a good relief pitcher in the fifth, sixth or seventh inning.
Wang is from Tainan, southern Taiwan, and has been a starter for most of his career. He is beginning the season as a reliever for the Royals. Royals opened the season with a 4-3 victory in last year’s World Series.