David Wells
Encyclopedia
David Lee Wells nicknamed "Boomer", is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed
pitcher
s, especially during his years with the New York Yankees
and the Toronto Blue Jays
. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game
in baseball history. He is tied only with Kenny Lofton
for appearing in the post-season with six different teams. Wells is currently a broadcaster on MLB on TBS
and the host of "The Cheap Seats
" on FOXSports.com
.
and attended local public schools. He graduated from Point Loma High School
in 1982. He was a self-described "gym rat" who spent most of his time at the Ocean Beach Recreation Center and Robb Field. Baseball facilities at both Point Loma High School and Dana Middle School are named for him. He lives in San Diego with his wife and two sons.. He has a tattoo of Babe Ruth.
in 1987 as a reliever
and did not secure a job as a full-time starter until he was 30 years old, despite pitching well most of the time and helping the Blue Jays win a World Series. He was released by the Blue Jays during spring training in 1993 and was signed by the Tigers almost immediately.
He emerged as a top-flight pitcher in , when he was 32. After starting the year at 10-3 for the last-place Detroit Tigers
and making his first All-Star Game appearance, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
for C. J. Nitkowski
, Mark Lewis, and minor leaguer Dave Tuttle. He finished that season with a 16-8 record and a 3.26 ERA
. At the end of the season he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles
for Curtis Goodwin
and minor leaguer Trovin Valdez. In 1996 he pitched then-career high 224 innings
but finished with an 11–14 record.
, his favorite team because of a lifelong interest in baseball legend Babe Ruth
. He asked for uniform number 3, and was of course denied, as the Babe's number had been long retired. He ended up taking 33 for the Yankees. On June 28, 1997, Wells took the mound wearing an authentic 1934 Babe Ruth hat, which Wells bought for $35,000. Manager Joe Torre
made Wells take it off after the first inning because it didn't conform to uniform standards. Wells then blew a 3–0 lead as the Cleveland Indians
won 12–8. After posting a 16-10 mark in 1997, Wells pitched very well in the Yankees' record-setting 1998 season. He rang up an 18-4 record, finished fifth in the league in ERA (3.49) and was third in voting for the Cy Young Award
.
in baseball history, when he blanked the Minnesota Twins
, 4–0. Wells attended the same San Diego
high school, Point Loma High School
, as Don Larsen
, whose perfect game for the Yankees in the 1956 World Series
is the only perfect game ever thrown in postseason play, and was until then the only perfect game thrown by a Yankee. David Cone
would add a third Yankee perfect game in 1999. Wells claims that he threw the perfect game while being hung over
.
On September 1, 1998, Wells came fairly close to recording a second perfect game—an unprecedented feat for an individual pitcher's career, not to mention a single season. Pitching against the Oakland Athletics
, he allowed no walks and only two hits, the first of which came with two outs in the seventh inning when Jason Giambi
fought off an 0-2 count and singled.
, along with Homer Bush
and Graeme Lloyd
. He continued to win north of the border, with records of 17–10 and 20–8 over the next two years. He and pitcher Matt DeWitt
were then traded to the Chicago White Sox
, in a deal that was quickly mired in controversy. The primary player being traded by the White Sox, starting pitcher Mike Sirotka
, was injured at the time of the deal, and he never pitched in the major leagues again. Toronto's general manager, Gord Ash
, had not made the deal contingent on the results of a medical examination, however, and MLB ruled in favor of the White Sox. The Blue Jays thus received only Kevin Beirne
, Brian Simmons
, and minor leaguer Mike Williams, and the mistake ultimately cost Ash his job.
. Despite having lost some velocity from his fastball
, he retained his excellent curveball
and his control, and posted an outstanding 19–7 record in 2002.
Perfect I'm Not: Boomer on Beer, Brawls, Backaches and Baseball, was published. The book upset the Yankees' management, and Wells was fined $100,000 by the team for disparaging comments which appeared in it. One of them included himself having a hangover when he pitched his perfect game
. Among the other controversial statements were claims that he strengthened his pitching arm as a youth by throwing rocks at homeless people and that his minor league team, the Kinston Blue Jays, had segregated stands in 1983 despite ample evidence to the contrary. Amusingly, Wells claimed to have been misquoted in the book, which was presumably penned by a ghost writer. The problems didn't carry over to the field, however. Wells posted a 15–7 record and helped the Yankees win another pennant.
On September 28, 2003, the final day of the regular season, Wells earned the 200th win of his career in a game managed by Clemens, who had won his 300th game earlier in the season and was thought to be retiring from baseball (Clemens ended up delaying his retirement). Regular Yankees manager Joe Torre
let Clemens manage the final game of the regular season, and Clemens pulled Wells from the game in the eighth inning.
He was also criticized by Yankee fans for not being able to pitch during Game 5 of the 2003 World Series
. He started the game, but left during the first inning because of a bad backache, which caused Torre to use his bullpen to finish the game. The Yankees ended up losing the game and the series to the Florida Marlins
in six games.
by the San Diego Padres
to a one-year contract. Wells posted a 12–8 record with a 3.73 ERA to start off his second stint in the National League
.
On December 11, 2004, Wells signed a two-year deal with the Boston Red Sox and took the uniform number 3, in honor of Babe Ruth
.
, but after coming off of the DL and getting rocked in his first start back in Oakland — and changing his uniform number from 3 to 16 - David Wells became the same dominating pitcher he was in the past. He went on to post a 15-7 record, with a 4.45 ERA. Wells pitched much better than his ERA may show, but had a few very poor outings, which caused his ERA to "balloon." After the 2005 season, Wells requested a trade back to the West Coast, but he eventually withdrew that request and resigned himself to one last year pitching for the Red Sox.
Wells began the 2006 season on the disabled list
, as he was still recovering from surgery
performed on his right knee. After pitching one game on April 12, he was once again placed on the 15-day disabled list. He announced that if his knee does not improve he would retire. Wells came off the disabled list on May 26, to make his second start of the year against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
.
On August 31, 2006, with the Red Sox post-season chances fading, Wells' wish of finishing his career playing for a West Coast team and a playoff contender was granted when he was traded back to the Padres
for top catching prospect George Kottaras
.
Following the 2006 season, Wells filed for free agency. For players who are already planning on retiring, this is a customary move in case one changes his mind. Wells' agent had stated the pitcher will keep his options open but his physical condition will play a large part in making the final decision whether or not to return for another season. Eventually, Wells decided to stay with the Padres, agreeing in principle on a one-year deal worth $3 million in base salary with a possible $4 million more in incentives.
, as insulin resistance can be an adaptation of insulin in the wake of too-high blood sugar over time.
On August 8, the Padres announced they would cut ties with Wells when Chris Young was ready to come off the disabled list.
On August 23, 2007, Wells was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers
. His first start with the Dodgers was on August 26 against the New York Mets
. He pitched 5 innings and allowed 2 earned runs. Wells also reached first base on a bunt single, scored a run, and earned the victory. He was the oldest pitcher to start a game for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On September 13, 2007, against his former team, the San Diego Padres, Wells had his first multi-hit game of his 21 year career at the age of 44. He hit a single
and a double
off former teammate Greg Maddux
.
On August 2, 2008, Wells took part in the 62nd Annual Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium, where he said that he was not going to officially retire, but admitted that he was probably done.
doing regular & post-season coverage. In 2011, Wells became host of The Cheap Seats
on FOXSports.com
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
s, especially during his years with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
in baseball history. He is tied only with Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton
Kenneth Lofton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder known for his great speed on the base paths as well as in the field, award-winning defensive play , timely hitting, and playful spirit. He batted and threw left-handed...
for appearing in the post-season with six different teams. Wells is currently a broadcaster on MLB on TBS
MLB on TBS
Major League Baseball on TBS is a presentation of Major League Baseball games produced by Turner Sports and airing on the television channel TBS.-Pre-2007: relationship with the Braves:...
and the host of "The Cheap Seats
The Cheap Seats
"The Cheap Seats" is the title of a song written by Marcus Hummon and Randy Sharp and recorded by American country music group Alabama. It was released in April 1994 as the third single from their 1993 album, Cheap Seats. The song reached #13 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in...
" on FOXSports.com
Foxsports.com
Foxsports.com provides sports news, scores, sports statistics, sports and entertainment video, sports fantasy leagues and fantasy information. Launched in July 2001, it is a unit of Fox Interactive Media, which also includes other News Corporation online businesses, including MySpace, IGN...
.
Personal life
Wells grew up in the San Diego neighborhood of Ocean BeachOcean Beach, San Diego, California
Ocean Beach is a beachfront neighborhood of San Diego, California.-Geography:Ocean Beach is located in San Diego on the Southern California coast. It lies on the Pacific Ocean at the estuary of the San Diego River, at the western terminus of Interstate 8. It is approximately from Downtown San...
and attended local public schools. He graduated from Point Loma High School
Point Loma High School
Point Loma High School is a public high school in the San Diego Unified School District in San Diego, California. It is located in the Loma Portal neighborhood of Point Loma. The school serves the neighborhoods of Point Loma and Ocean Beach. In addition, students who live in Mission Hills may...
in 1982. He was a self-described "gym rat" who spent most of his time at the Ocean Beach Recreation Center and Robb Field. Baseball facilities at both Point Loma High School and Dana Middle School are named for him. He lives in San Diego with his wife and two sons.. He has a tattoo of Babe Ruth.
1987–1996
Wells was a journeyman starter for the first eight seasons of his career. He debuted for the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in 1987 as a reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
and did not secure a job as a full-time starter until he was 30 years old, despite pitching well most of the time and helping the Blue Jays win a World Series. He was released by the Blue Jays during spring training in 1993 and was signed by the Tigers almost immediately.
He emerged as a top-flight pitcher in , when he was 32. After starting the year at 10-3 for the last-place Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and making his first All-Star Game appearance, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for C. J. Nitkowski
C. J. Nitkowski
Christopher John "C. J." Nitkowski is a left-handed professional baseball pitcher currently in the Korea Baseball Organization and formerly of Major League Baseball.-Amateur career:...
, Mark Lewis, and minor leaguer Dave Tuttle. He finished that season with a 16-8 record and a 3.26 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. At the end of the season he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Curtis Goodwin
Curtis Goodwin
Curtis La Mar Goodwin is a former professional baseball player who played outfielder in the Major Leagues from 1995-99.He attended San Leandro High School in San Leandro, California.-External links:...
and minor leaguer Trovin Valdez. In 1996 he pitched then-career high 224 innings
Innings
An inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
but finished with an 11–14 record.
1997–1998
In 1997, he signed as a free agent with the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, his favorite team because of a lifelong interest in baseball legend Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
. He asked for uniform number 3, and was of course denied, as the Babe's number had been long retired. He ended up taking 33 for the Yankees. On June 28, 1997, Wells took the mound wearing an authentic 1934 Babe Ruth hat, which Wells bought for $35,000. Manager Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
made Wells take it off after the first inning because it didn't conform to uniform standards. Wells then blew a 3–0 lead as the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
won 12–8. After posting a 16-10 mark in 1997, Wells pitched very well in the Yankees' record-setting 1998 season. He rang up an 18-4 record, finished fifth in the league in ERA (3.49) and was third in voting for the Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
.
Perfect game
On May 17, 1998, Wells pitched the fifteenth perfect gamePerfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
in baseball history, when he blanked the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, 4–0. Wells attended the same San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
high school, Point Loma High School
Point Loma High School
Point Loma High School is a public high school in the San Diego Unified School District in San Diego, California. It is located in the Loma Portal neighborhood of Point Loma. The school serves the neighborhoods of Point Loma and Ocean Beach. In addition, students who live in Mission Hills may...
, as Don Larsen
Don Larsen
Donald James Larsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953-67 for seven different teams. Larsen is best known for pitching the sixth perfect game in baseball history, doing so in game 5 of the 1956 World Series...
, whose perfect game for the Yankees in the 1956 World Series
1956 World Series
The 1956 World Series of Major League Baseball was played between the New York Yankees and the defending champion Brooklyn Dodgers during the month of October 1956. The Series was a rematch of the 1955 World Series...
is the only perfect game ever thrown in postseason play, and was until then the only perfect game thrown by a Yankee. David Cone
David Cone
David Brian Cone is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1986-2003 for six different teams. Cone pitched the sixteenth perfect game in baseball history. He also set the MLB record for most years between 20-win seasons. He was a member of five...
would add a third Yankee perfect game in 1999. Wells claims that he threw the perfect game while being hung over
Hangover
A hangover describes the sum of unpleasant physiological effects following heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages. The most commonly reported characteristics of a hangover include headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, lethargy, dysphoria, diarrhea and thirst, typically after the...
.
On September 1, 1998, Wells came fairly close to recording a second perfect game—an unprecedented feat for an individual pitcher's career, not to mention a single season. Pitching against the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, he allowed no walks and only two hits, the first of which came with two outs in the seventh inning when Jason Giambi
Jason Giambi
Jason Gilbert Giambi is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball.He was the American League MVP in 2000 while with the Oakland Athletics, and is a five-time All-Star who has led the American League in walks four times, in on base percentage...
fought off an 0-2 count and singled.
1999–2000
After the season, Wells returned to the Blue Jays as part of a trade for Roger ClemensRoger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
, along with Homer Bush
Homer Bush
Homer Giles Bush is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Florida Marlins. He was a part of the Yankees 1998 World Championship....
and Graeme Lloyd
Graeme Lloyd
Graeme John Lloyd is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who had a ten year career from 1993 to 2003.-Playing career:...
. He continued to win north of the border, with records of 17–10 and 20–8 over the next two years. He and pitcher Matt DeWitt
Matt DeWitt
Matt DeWitt is a major league pitcher who briefly played 29 games with the Toronto Blue Jays , and the San Diego Padres . He has played in the minor leagues with the Cleveland Indians, and Baltimore Orioles during the 2004. He has not appeared in the major leagues since his last game with the...
were then traded to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, in a deal that was quickly mired in controversy. The primary player being traded by the White Sox, starting pitcher Mike Sirotka
Mike Sirotka
Michael Robert Sirotka is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He is an alumnus of Louisiana State University....
, was injured at the time of the deal, and he never pitched in the major leagues again. Toronto's general manager, Gord Ash
Gord Ash
Gordon Ian Ash is vice president and assistant general manager for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was the general manager for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1995 to 2001....
, had not made the deal contingent on the results of a medical examination, however, and MLB ruled in favor of the White Sox. The Blue Jays thus received only Kevin Beirne
Kevin Beirne
Kevin Patrick Beirne was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He is the son of Jim Beirne, who played with the Houston Oilers and San Diego Chargers of the NFL from 1968 to 1976....
, Brian Simmons
Brian Simmons (baseball player)
Brian Simmons was a Major League Baseball outfielder.-Career:Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 2nd round of the 1995 MLB amateur draft, Simmons would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago White Sox on September 21, 1998, and appeared in his final game on October 7, 2001...
, and minor leaguer Mike Williams, and the mistake ultimately cost Ash his job.
2001–2002
The deal did not turn out particularly well for the White Sox, either, as Wells struggled with back problems in 2001 and pitched only 100⅔ innings. After the season's end, he returned to the Yankees, a deal that was again immersed in controversy as he had already reached an oral agreement to join the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. Despite having lost some velocity from his fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
, he retained his excellent curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
and his control, and posted an outstanding 19–7 record in 2002.
2003
Wells was the subject of some controversy prior to the 2003 season, when his autobiographyAutobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
Perfect I'm Not: Boomer on Beer, Brawls, Backaches and Baseball, was published. The book upset the Yankees' management, and Wells was fined $100,000 by the team for disparaging comments which appeared in it. One of them included himself having a hangover when he pitched his perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
. Among the other controversial statements were claims that he strengthened his pitching arm as a youth by throwing rocks at homeless people and that his minor league team, the Kinston Blue Jays, had segregated stands in 1983 despite ample evidence to the contrary. Amusingly, Wells claimed to have been misquoted in the book, which was presumably penned by a ghost writer. The problems didn't carry over to the field, however. Wells posted a 15–7 record and helped the Yankees win another pennant.
On September 28, 2003, the final day of the regular season, Wells earned the 200th win of his career in a game managed by Clemens, who had won his 300th game earlier in the season and was thought to be retiring from baseball (Clemens ended up delaying his retirement). Regular Yankees manager Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
let Clemens manage the final game of the regular season, and Clemens pulled Wells from the game in the eighth inning.
He was also criticized by Yankee fans for not being able to pitch during Game 5 of the 2003 World Series
2003 World Series
The 2003 World Series marked the 99th baseball World Series event. The Florida Marlins defeated the New York Yankees in six games, 4–2.-Background:...
. He started the game, but left during the first inning because of a bad backache, which caused Torre to use his bullpen to finish the game. The Yankees ended up losing the game and the series to the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
in six games.
2004
On January 1, 2004, Wells was signed as a free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
to a one-year contract. Wells posted a 12–8 record with a 3.73 ERA to start off his second stint in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
.
On December 11, 2004, Wells signed a two-year deal with the Boston Red Sox and took the uniform number 3, in honor of Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
.
2005
Getting off to a bad start, many fans questioned the decision of general manager Theo EpsteinTheo Epstein
Theo Nathan Epstein is the President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs.On November 25, 2002, he became the youngest GM in the history of Major League Baseball when the Boston Red Sox hired him at the age of 28...
, but after coming off of the DL and getting rocked in his first start back in Oakland — and changing his uniform number from 3 to 16 - David Wells became the same dominating pitcher he was in the past. He went on to post a 15-7 record, with a 4.45 ERA. Wells pitched much better than his ERA may show, but had a few very poor outings, which caused his ERA to "balloon." After the 2005 season, Wells requested a trade back to the West Coast, but he eventually withdrew that request and resigned himself to one last year pitching for the Red Sox.
2006
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
, as he was still recovering from surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
performed on his right knee. After pitching one game on April 12, he was once again placed on the 15-day disabled list. He announced that if his knee does not improve he would retire. Wells came off the disabled list on May 26, to make his second start of the year against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
.
On August 31, 2006, with the Red Sox post-season chances fading, Wells' wish of finishing his career playing for a West Coast team and a playoff contender was granted when he was traded back to the Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for top catching prospect George Kottaras
George Kottaras
George Kottaras is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Kottaras attended Milliken Mills High School in Markham, Ontario, Canada.-Professional baseball career:...
.
Following the 2006 season, Wells filed for free agency. For players who are already planning on retiring, this is a customary move in case one changes his mind. Wells' agent had stated the pitcher will keep his options open but his physical condition will play a large part in making the final decision whether or not to return for another season. Eventually, Wells decided to stay with the Padres, agreeing in principle on a one-year deal worth $3 million in base salary with a possible $4 million more in incentives.
2007
On March 18, 2007, it was revealed that Wells has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. This form of diabetes is more closely associated with lifestyle factors, such as diet, but the condition of people with a genetic disposition for diabetes can be exacerbated with chronic high blood sugarBlood sugar
The blood sugar concentration or blood glucose level is the amount of glucose present in the blood of a human or animal. Normally in mammals, the body maintains the blood glucose level at a reference range between about 3.6 and 5.8 mM , or 64.8 and 104.4 mg/dL...
, as insulin resistance can be an adaptation of insulin in the wake of too-high blood sugar over time.
On August 8, the Padres announced they would cut ties with Wells when Chris Young was ready to come off the disabled list.
On August 23, 2007, Wells was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. His first start with the Dodgers was on August 26 against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. He pitched 5 innings and allowed 2 earned runs. Wells also reached first base on a bunt single, scored a run, and earned the victory. He was the oldest pitcher to start a game for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On September 13, 2007, against his former team, the San Diego Padres, Wells had his first multi-hit game of his 21 year career at the age of 44. He hit a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
and a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
off former teammate Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux
Gregory Alan Maddux , nicknamed "Mad Dog" and "The Professor", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the first pitcher in major league history to win the Cy Young Award for four consecutive years , a feat matched only by Randy Johnson...
.
2008
After the 2007 season he filed for free agency.On August 2, 2008, Wells took part in the 62nd Annual Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium, where he said that he was not going to officially retire, but admitted that he was probably done.
Career bests
- Wins in a Season: 20, with Toronto Blue Jays in 2000
- Strikeouts in a Season: 169, with Toronto Blue Jays in 2000
- Best Cy Young Result: 3rd, with New York Yankees in 1998
- Strikeouts in One Game: 16 with New York Yankees, against Oakland Athletics, July 30, 1997
- Innings Pitched in One Season: 231.2, with Toronto Blue Jays in 1999
- Best Single Season ERA as a Starting Pitcher: 3.14, with Toronto Blue Jays in 1990
- Fewest Walks Per 9 Innings in a Season: .85, with New York Yankees in 2003
Broadcasting
Beginning in 2009, Wells began working for MLB on TBSMLB on TBS
Major League Baseball on TBS is a presentation of Major League Baseball games produced by Turner Sports and airing on the television channel TBS.-Pre-2007: relationship with the Braves:...
doing regular & post-season coverage. In 2011, Wells became host of The Cheap Seats
The Cheap Seats (TV show)
The Cheap Seats is a television show on FOX Sports that mostly consists of interviews with pro baseball players at home via Skype. It debuted during the 2010 Major League Baseball season with Chris Rose as its host, becoming best known for the many appearances by San Francisco Giants closer Brian...
on FOXSports.com
Foxsports.com
Foxsports.com provides sports news, scores, sports statistics, sports and entertainment video, sports fantasy leagues and fantasy information. Launched in July 2001, it is a unit of Fox Interactive Media, which also includes other News Corporation online businesses, including MySpace, IGN...
.
Interviews, Biographies & Autobiographies
The original transcript of David Wells' comprehensive interview for the television show One on One with Jane Mitchell was released in the 2010 book One on One - My Journey with Hall of Famers, Fan Favorites and Rising Stars. In addition to David's story in his own words, the interview features Kevin Towers, Trevor Hoffman, Josh Barfield, Chris Young, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Clay Hensley, family and friends all sharing their personal experiences and thoughts about David.See also
- Pitchers who have thrown a perfect gamePerfect gameA perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions
- Top 100 strikeout pitchers of all timeTop 100 strikeout pitchers of all timeIn baseball, a strikeout occurs when the batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. Strikeouts are associated with dominance on the part of the pitcher and failure on the part of the batter....