Chien-ming Wang

On the development of his signature sinker

I'd never thrown a two-seam sinker until two years ago in the minors, when the pitching coaches told me to try it. Before, I used four-seam fastballs and sliders.

On his celebrity status in his native Taiwan

I wasn't prepared for it. Since [my rookie season] last year, when I go back I have to meet with a lot of people, like government officials. It has become inconvenient to go out to eat. People at other tables will point and go, "That's Wang Chien-Ming." They'll come over and ask for an autograph.

On getting started in baseball

At elementary school [in Tainan] my classmates and I played basketball. One day a coach came up and asked if I wanted to play baseball. I told him I had to go home and ask my mom.

On his original career plans

I planned on doing my mandatory military service after college. Then I was going to see if I could get into the Taiwan pro league. It wasn't until my sophomore year [at the Taipei College of Physical Education] that some major league scouts came to see me. From then on I was in touch with people from American baseball.

On signing with the Yankees and coming to the U.S. in 2000

I was thinking my family was in Taiwan, and America was so far away. I asked my mom and dad what they thought, and they said, "If it's a good team, you should go." So I came to America.