Wang prepares for life as a Mariner
Wang Wei's heart skipped a beat when Ted Heid, the Seattle Mariners' director of Pacific Rim Operations, came to him and asked if he would like to join his team three months ago.
Wang, a core member of China's national baseball team, did not take the suggestion seriously at first. He was traveling with the team to the Mariners' facilities in Peoria, Arizona and he knew his main task there during his month-long stay was to take the opportunity to tune-up for the Beijing Olympic Games.
He did not know that he had impressed many people, including Heid, who had watched him closely every time the Chinese team conducted training camps in the United States since 2003.
So when he learned that the MLB team decided to sign him and his Beijing Tigers teammate Jia Yubing to minor league contracts a month later, he was totally unprepared.
"This was a total surprise, but a big opportunity. Frankly speaking, I never thought I would be able to play baseball in the United States. It is a dream for every Chinese baseball player," Wang told China Daily.
The 29-year-old veteran is one of the best baseball players in China and probably the most famous after he hit a two-run homer in the opening game of the 2006 World Baseball Classic against eventual winners Japan.
Since starting playing the sport at the age of 8, his career has been smooth and successful - he led Beijing Tigers to three consecutive Chinese Baseball League (CBL) titles and has been the starting catcher at the national team since 2002. He is also a star batter for Beijing - he was home run king in CBL 2003 season - and the national team.
But the move across the Pacific means he has to start again right from the bottom.
"It's like conquering a new mountain. I have reached the top of the old mountain. What I need to do now is get down from the top and start to climb another one. And this one is much higher than before," Wang said.
Joining a team which has signed overseas superstars like Japanese Ichiro Suzuki and Kenji Johjima in the last six years will be a major challenge - even for a player with a Japanese fan club of his own.
Major difference
The difference between the leagues couldn't be greater. Wang currently plays 30 games a season plus a dozen or so international matches. Soon he could play up to 130 games.
"The major difference between Chinese baseball and major league is the number of good players who can consistently play at a high level," Heid said. "There is an experience factor."
Heid has been watching the Chinese baseball talent pool as closely as anyone in recent years, and he says Wang is "just one of the good players".
"Baseball is a game of size and speed," Heid said of the 1.90-meter, 86-kg Wang. "He fits that size.
"More importantly, he is a right hander with home-run bat potential."
As well as Wang's ability, it was his attitude that impressed Heid most.
"He was very successful in the US and is not afraid to fail and work hard for success.
"The attitude is the major reason why we signed him."
Chinese baseball authorities also have faith in Wang and compared him with two teenage players, Liu Kai and Zhang Zhenwang, who have been signed by the New York Yankees.
"The Yankees signed Chinese players as long-term prospects but Mariners signed Wang due to his current ability," said Chinese Baseball Association (CBA) secretary-general Shen Wei. "We are looking forward to good news from Wang."
Although the Yankees stole a march by announcing their deal two days before the Mariners, making Liu and Zhang the first Chinese players from the CBA to join an MLB team, Wang has an opportunity to write a new chapter in China's baseball history if he can win a major league contract first.
"We don't sign a player if he can't make it into the Major League," Heid said. 'But it can be extremely hard and you need some luck."
It usually takes four to seven years for an excellent minor league player to enjoy such a promotion. The task could be greater for Wang considering his age and the injuries that have bothered him the past two years.
For now, Wang is focused on making a good start.
"I will give 100% right now and make sure I won't have regrets in the future."
He is happy his signing with the Mariners has boosted baseball's popularity in China. Since the Mariners announced the deal he has been in the center of the media spotlight - he says he has received more phone calls in the last couple of weeks than in the last five years combined.
"The things I learn in the US will be a treasure for life and I hope I can bring them back to China to promote the game," he said
The 2008 Beijing Olympics will be the perfect place for Wang, a Beijing native, to show his progress.
"To put it simply: Don't lose face," he smiled. "I'm playing at home and I don't want to embarrass the audience."
Wang and Jia will report to Seattle's summer league team in Australia when not required for national team commitments this summer. They are expected to arrive in Seattle in late August and then make their debut in minor league competition.
(China Daily 07/06/2007 page22)
