They love Wang
(AP photos by Chiang Ying-ying)
When collector cards of New York Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang were made available for the first time in convenient stores throughout Taiwan on Saturday, the natives scooped 'em up.
Wang, born in Tainan, in central Taiwan, has become a national icon in the country, having had the most successful season for the high-profile team.
According to a recent editorial in the China Post, Wang has "has become 'the son of Taiwan,' eclipsing President Chen Shui-bian -- the original favorite son who is fast becoming fake.
"Nowadays in Taiwan, when the "dump Chen" protests have dominated newspaper front pages and prime time television, Wang Chien-ming has suddenly become the media's superstar. President Chen Shui-bian and his beleaguered party should thank Wang for diverting the public's attention from the scandals involving himself, his family and his son-in-law Chao Chien-ming (same first name by accident).
"All of a sudden, Wang has become a national hero. Perhaps an international hero to boot. He has put Taiwan on the map, just as our little leaguers did three decades ago when they won LL World Series year after year. Wang Chien-ming is from the crop of Taiwan's Little League baseball, like many others now playing in America's Major Leagues.
"Like Wang, many of Taiwan's proud products that have made this island rich and famous are the legacies of that older era, an era that is vilified by the current administration as authoritarian and corrupt. What is ironic is that six years after the "son of Taiwan" seized power and ruled this island as its imperial president, the people are taking to the streets to heave him out of office."
Hey, whatever works for you.