Hey Steve, didn’t the article also go on to say something in effect as to why Wang is treated like an unwanted dinner guest?.. Do you think the Yankees have it in for wang?.. The guy prior to getting hurt has been a model citizen and not so much as anyone saying a bad thing about him in the club house.. Why are the Yankees so cautious on using him or do you think the front office might have a thing against him?

The encouraging thing is that in certain of the cases (Buehrle/Harang*), they bounced back to resume their appropriate career levels. As Yagottagotomo said, a sudden deviating from one’s career trajectory is indicative of how a devastating injury can temporarily derail a great career. Personally, I think that’s what has happened to Wang thus far. He will eventually be 100% healthy and confident in his body and will resume being the solid pitcher he once was.

*In Harang’ case, he’s in the middle of the bounce-back so far this year.

maybe if Wang ever learned how to actually pitch instead of relying on a 94mph sinker he would be able to make adjustments and get thru this.

Steve Lombardi wrote:

The “don’t forget how to pitch” notion is an interesting one. I could see how that might apply to someone like Mussina, last year.

Last year, or the year before? Moose’s FIP was reasonable @ 4.01 in 2007 when he posted a 5.15 ERA.

Steve Lombardi wrote:

The James study focused more on wins and losses, IIRC.

Really? I would’ve thought he knew better

Wang’s sinker looked much better tonight, though the Rangers’ free swinger may have helped some.

It’s a step in the right direction, at least.

Oh…almost forgot…1st place!!!

The “don’t forget how to pitch” notion is an interesting one. I could see how that might apply to someone like Mussina, last year. But, Wang? Was he ever “a pitcher”? Or, more so, someone who just poured sinkers with gas down your throat until you were a beaten batter? And, if the latter is true, then, did he know anything, really, that cannot be forgotten?

If this really is point of no return, it’s quite a sad story. Wang seemed like a no-sense fella who didn’t make waves, and who worked hard at his craft (didn’t he pick-up the sinker pretty late in his career?). I’d rather see a roider/cheater like Andy have a career come to an abrupt and awful end before Wang.

Good point. People keep saying that multiple 19 game winners dont just forget how to pitch. We see that with the help of some injuries or other circumstances, it could happen.

Not that I recall. The James study focused more on wins and losses, IIRC. Guys who went from 20-win and CYA type seasons to seasons the next year where they lost close to 20, or went something like 6-10.

These are all guys that I found, using the CBE, who had more than one year – and sometimes several – in a row with more than 25 GS and nice RSAA totals who then had a year where they tanked, in terms of RSAA.