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Yankees: 5 Players You’d Never Believe Led New York in WAR for a Full Season

By Thomas Carannante

BRONX, NY - 1941: (l to r) Outfielders Joe DiMaggio, Charlie Keller and Tom Henrich of the New York Yankees pose for a portrait on the dugout steps prior to a 1941 season game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BRONX, NY - 1941: (l to r) Outfielders Joe DiMaggio, Charlie Keller and Tom Henrich of the New York Yankees pose for a portrait on the dugout steps prior to a 1941 season game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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4. Chien-Ming Wang

Chien-Ming Wang #40 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Chien-Ming Wang #40 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Man, what would’ve happened if Chien-Ming Wang didn’t break his foot running the bases during a National League game against the Houston Astros? It’s safe to say that injury derailed his career, but two years before that, his first full season with the Yankees was a smashing success. He led the team in WAR that season with a 6.0 mark thanks to his 19 wins (led the AL), 3.63 ERA and 0.5 HR/9 (also led the AL) in 34 games (33 starts), totaling 218 innings. He finished second in the Cy Young voting and managed to grab a postseason victory against the Detroit Tigers in the team’s ALDS loss. On top of this roster consisting of Jeter, A-Rod, Jorge Posada, Robinson Cano, Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi, Wang was on a pitching staff with Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina and Mariano Rivera, so it’s not like he slept walked his way to this accomplishment. The Taiwanese right-hander was a special talent whose career was unfortunately cut short, and his 2006 campaign has left many fans wondering what could have been.

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