CHIEN-MING IS PITCHIN' FOR HAPPY BIRTHDAY By BRIAN COSTELLO March 31, 2008 -- Today is Chien-Ming Wang's 28th birthday. The Yankee starter already knows what his favorite present will be this year. "To be the Opening Day starter is the best birthday gift I could have," Wang said yesterday. The right-hander gets the start in the final Opening Day of this Yankee Stadium, against Toronto, despite a shaky spring training and rough memories of his last outing in The Bronx. In Game 4 of the ALDS, Cleveland banged around Wang, knocking him out of the game in the second inning. In his two postseason starts, Wang gave up 12 runs and 14 hits in 52/3 innings. He has said it took him a month to get over his disappointing performance. Yankee GM Brian Cashman said it was between Wang and Andy Pettitte for the Opening Day starter assignment when spring training opened. Pettitte's back spasms took him out of the race, leaving Wang. The sinkerball specialist had a rough spring, going 2-2 with an 8.04 ERA, but he is not concerned. "I'm not worried about that," Wang said. "I'm looking forward to a new season. The world championship is the only goal." Wang missed his chance at opening last season when a strained right hamstring cost him the early part of April. Once healthy, Wang put up big numbers, going 19-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 30 starts with 104 strikeouts. "I wasn't happy to get hurt right before the season started," Wang said. "I wasn't able to travel with the team, so I was really disappointed." With the additions of Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy to the rotation, Wang now is one of the staff's most experienced pitchers. His 38 victories over the last two years are the most in the major leagues. He seems to be at his best at home, winning 21 of 33 Yankee Stadium starts in the last two years. "I think he knows what he's capable of doing," Yankee starter Mike Mussina said. "I think he knows what's expected of him. I think he's good at what he does." [email protected] http://www.nypost.com/seven/03312008/photos/sports072.jpg http://tinyurl.com/2dvjeg --

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