A new documentary tells the captivating story of Chien-Mien Wang's Major League career
A young righty out of Taiwan signs with the Yankees to little fanfare. He's not on any top prospect lists at first, but thanks to good command and a wicked sinker, he becomes New York's unlikely ace -- posting back-to-back 19-win seasons and finishing second in AL Cy Young voting.
He also becomes a national hero, the first player from Taiwan to put on the pinstripes -- "the Pride and Glory of Taiwan," as his countrymen call him. A gaggle of reporters flock to his locker after every start. Time puts him on its list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
And then the injuries set in: first a torn ligament in his foot, then mechanical issues stemming from that torn ligament in his foot, then hip pain, then a shoulder issue. The Yankees let him go, and he begins a long, arduous road back to the Majors -- bouncing from organization to organization, trying to regain the greatness he'd lost.
Sound like a story made for the big screen? We think so, too:
"Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story" documents Wang's improbable career path, following him from stop to stop as he attempts to pitch in the big leagues again. The film made its world premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival back in May, landing the audience award for best international documentary. It's set to hit theaters in New York on Oct. 26, then spread to select theaters across the country. Until then, you'll just have to settle for watching that sweet, sweet sinker:
