Yankee 21
01-10-2002, 06:44 PM
Boomer back in the Bronx
Wells signs two-year deal to return to Yankees
By Mark Feinsand
Yankees.com
Press conference
Brian Cashman on MLB Radio
Yankees now have six starters, five spots
NEW YORK -- Being a Yankee was the best thing that ever happened to David Wells. Now, as he returns to the Bronx after a three-year absence, the 38-year-old left-hander is looking forward to closing out his career with the Yanks.
"Words can't express how happy I am. I can't describe the feeling I have now, being back in pinstripes," said Wells as he slipped on his No. 33 jersey. "Getting the opportunity to come back to New York, it's something. The two years I played here were the best two years of my life in baseball."
Wells inked a two-year contract to return to the team that traded him for Roger Clemens three years ago. Now, he joins Clemens in a rotation rounded out by Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina and Sterling Hitchcock. The deal, which is packed with incentives for the veteran southpaw, includes a club option for 2004.
"David Wells is a winner and he belongs in pinstripes," said Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. "I realize he is coming off back surgery, but I believe he will continue to devote himself totally to his performance. People may say we're going out on a limb, but we'll see. We're betting on the Boomer."
"I've been on this job since 1998, and the toughest thing I ever had to do in my tenure was to talk to David that day in February and say goodbye," said Yankees GM Brian Cashman, speaking of the day he informed Wells of his trade to Toronto. "It's so much easier now to welcome him back to the New York Yankees."
Wells, who was joined by his wife, Nina, and his agent, Gregg Clifton, was all smiles on Thursday as he was reintroduced to the New York media. He admitted that while he never thought he would play for the Yankees again -- except for an Old Timers' Day appearance down the road -- the dream of finishing his career in pinstripes remained with him.
"The first time I came to this stadium, I walked right out to center field and got goosebumps like you wouldn't believe. Having my dream come true, to play in pinstripes, it was the best thing that ever happened to me in my life," Wells said. "I have to thank George for bringing me back. I think it was the best decision he's ever made. I thank him from the bottom of my heart."
"David has certainly shown that he can win in New York," said Yankees manager Joe Torre, on vacation in Hawaii. "If he's healthy, he will be a big plus for us."
Wells, who appeared to be on the verge of signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks last month, said there were a number of factors that led to his decision to return to New York. Foremost among them is that Wells lives in Tampa, where the Yankees hold their Spring Training, meaning that he would be able to spend six more weeks with his children.
Sporting a full goatee -- a Yankee no-no -- Wells said that he hadn't discussed the beard with Steinbrenner, but he didn't think he had much chance of keeping his beloved facial hair.
"I'm sure it's got to go," joked Wells. "I don't have any problem with it."
Wells reclaimed his old number, 33, from second baseman Alfonso Soriano, who will now wear No. 12.
"He had no problem giving up the number. That was a nice thing for him to do, and I appreciate it," Wells said. "I'll thank him personally when I see him. Thirty-three looks better on me -- I have a wider back."
To make room for Wells on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated infielder Clay Bellinger for assignment.
Wells said that he was excited to join the Yankees' rotation, which now sports three of the top 10 active winningest pitchers. Roger Clemens ranks first (280), while Wells (166) and Mike Mussina (164) are Nos. 9 and 10.
"It's going to be a tough rotation for opposing hitters. If we go out there, do our job and stick to our gameplan, it's going to be great. There aren't any soft spots in the rotation one through five," said Wells. "I've got a great feeling about this team. These guys lost, but they're going to regroup. They won't sulk and put their heads down, they're going to come out fighting and be hungrier than they were before. That's a good part of it for me -- they lost it, and they want to win again."
Wells said that the opportunity to return to the postseason was a big factor in his decision, and that the last three Octobers have felt empty without pitching big games. Wells has an 8-1 career playoff record, sporting a 2.74 ERA in 19 starts.
"When I got traded and the season in Toronto ended October 1, I went up to my ranch in Michigan and scoured around looking for a Little League playoff game to pitch," Wells said. "I was jonesing for a game to pitch, I didn't care if it was 10-year-olds. I'd have blown them away. It was tough to swallow the last three years, not being in the playoffs. That's something I strive for and always look forward to. I'm not afraid to take that ball, I want to be the hero and I want to be the goat. That's what you play for."
Wells went 34-14 in two seasons with the Yankees, throwing the 14th perfect game in baseball history on May 17, 1998, against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. Ironically, the Twins visit Yankee Stadium to start a three-game series on May 17 -- the four-year anniversary of the perfecto. Will the hype of his return get in the way of the task at hand? Not as far as Boomer's concerned.
"A lot of people have a hard time playing in New York," Wells said. "The criticism, the media, that stuff never bothered me. I went out and did my job -- and did it well."
Wells signs two-year deal to return to Yankees
By Mark Feinsand
Yankees.com
Press conference
Brian Cashman on MLB Radio
Yankees now have six starters, five spots
NEW YORK -- Being a Yankee was the best thing that ever happened to David Wells. Now, as he returns to the Bronx after a three-year absence, the 38-year-old left-hander is looking forward to closing out his career with the Yanks.
"Words can't express how happy I am. I can't describe the feeling I have now, being back in pinstripes," said Wells as he slipped on his No. 33 jersey. "Getting the opportunity to come back to New York, it's something. The two years I played here were the best two years of my life in baseball."
Wells inked a two-year contract to return to the team that traded him for Roger Clemens three years ago. Now, he joins Clemens in a rotation rounded out by Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina and Sterling Hitchcock. The deal, which is packed with incentives for the veteran southpaw, includes a club option for 2004.
"David Wells is a winner and he belongs in pinstripes," said Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. "I realize he is coming off back surgery, but I believe he will continue to devote himself totally to his performance. People may say we're going out on a limb, but we'll see. We're betting on the Boomer."
"I've been on this job since 1998, and the toughest thing I ever had to do in my tenure was to talk to David that day in February and say goodbye," said Yankees GM Brian Cashman, speaking of the day he informed Wells of his trade to Toronto. "It's so much easier now to welcome him back to the New York Yankees."
Wells, who was joined by his wife, Nina, and his agent, Gregg Clifton, was all smiles on Thursday as he was reintroduced to the New York media. He admitted that while he never thought he would play for the Yankees again -- except for an Old Timers' Day appearance down the road -- the dream of finishing his career in pinstripes remained with him.
"The first time I came to this stadium, I walked right out to center field and got goosebumps like you wouldn't believe. Having my dream come true, to play in pinstripes, it was the best thing that ever happened to me in my life," Wells said. "I have to thank George for bringing me back. I think it was the best decision he's ever made. I thank him from the bottom of my heart."
"David has certainly shown that he can win in New York," said Yankees manager Joe Torre, on vacation in Hawaii. "If he's healthy, he will be a big plus for us."
Wells, who appeared to be on the verge of signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks last month, said there were a number of factors that led to his decision to return to New York. Foremost among them is that Wells lives in Tampa, where the Yankees hold their Spring Training, meaning that he would be able to spend six more weeks with his children.
Sporting a full goatee -- a Yankee no-no -- Wells said that he hadn't discussed the beard with Steinbrenner, but he didn't think he had much chance of keeping his beloved facial hair.
"I'm sure it's got to go," joked Wells. "I don't have any problem with it."
Wells reclaimed his old number, 33, from second baseman Alfonso Soriano, who will now wear No. 12.
"He had no problem giving up the number. That was a nice thing for him to do, and I appreciate it," Wells said. "I'll thank him personally when I see him. Thirty-three looks better on me -- I have a wider back."
To make room for Wells on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated infielder Clay Bellinger for assignment.
Wells said that he was excited to join the Yankees' rotation, which now sports three of the top 10 active winningest pitchers. Roger Clemens ranks first (280), while Wells (166) and Mike Mussina (164) are Nos. 9 and 10.
"It's going to be a tough rotation for opposing hitters. If we go out there, do our job and stick to our gameplan, it's going to be great. There aren't any soft spots in the rotation one through five," said Wells. "I've got a great feeling about this team. These guys lost, but they're going to regroup. They won't sulk and put their heads down, they're going to come out fighting and be hungrier than they were before. That's a good part of it for me -- they lost it, and they want to win again."
Wells said that the opportunity to return to the postseason was a big factor in his decision, and that the last three Octobers have felt empty without pitching big games. Wells has an 8-1 career playoff record, sporting a 2.74 ERA in 19 starts.
"When I got traded and the season in Toronto ended October 1, I went up to my ranch in Michigan and scoured around looking for a Little League playoff game to pitch," Wells said. "I was jonesing for a game to pitch, I didn't care if it was 10-year-olds. I'd have blown them away. It was tough to swallow the last three years, not being in the playoffs. That's something I strive for and always look forward to. I'm not afraid to take that ball, I want to be the hero and I want to be the goat. That's what you play for."
Wells went 34-14 in two seasons with the Yankees, throwing the 14th perfect game in baseball history on May 17, 1998, against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. Ironically, the Twins visit Yankee Stadium to start a three-game series on May 17 -- the four-year anniversary of the perfecto. Will the hype of his return get in the way of the task at hand? Not as far as Boomer's concerned.
"A lot of people have a hard time playing in New York," Wells said. "The criticism, the media, that stuff never bothered me. I went out and did my job -- and did it well."