Washington Nationals pitcher Tom Gorzelanny wants to be a starter, not a reliever. He makes no secret of that.
Because of who he is and what he's overcome, whenever Chien-Ming Wang takes the mound, the game is about him.
With torrential rain pounding much of the East Coast on Sunday afternoon, the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies didn't wait around to see if things would clear. Three hours before their scheduled 1:35 p.m. series finale, the game was postponed.
Throughout Chien-Ming Wang's career in the major leagues, through his moments of triumph and his downfalls, his identity has been the same. He's a sinkerballer. He'd live by it, and die by it. When was winning 19 games for the New York Yankees or finishing second in the American League Cy Young voting, he threw his sinker no less than 75 percent of the time.
With steady rain falling all afternoon at Wrigley Field and more predicted for the evening, the Washington Nationals-Chicago Cubs game Monday night was postponed. It will be made up Thursday at 2:20 p.m. EDT.
Remember how Stephen Strasburg sent shock waves through baseball and became a huge gate attraction last year, making his team a national story in the process?
Chien-Ming Wang showed flashes of his former domination Wednesday during his second start since returning from the disabled list. But a throwing error by the Nationals starter caused the game to unravel into a 6-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves despite the effectiveness of his signature sinker.
Chien-Ming Wang's voice was soft, his face composed. The only sparkle came from the silver necklace dangling from his neck.
Chien-Ming Wang's return to the big leagues was a short and unpleasant one.
