Yankee 21
02-14-2002, 07:03 PM
After dropping weight, Boomer ready for camp
By Paul Smith
MLB.com
TAMPA -- David Wells was not sure what was more of a relief, the load that was lifted off his mind or the 30 pounds he shed from his body.
In retrospect, though, losing all that weight was probably a little easier for Wells to deal with than not knowing why he was dealt from the New York Yankees just before the 1999 season.
"(Being traded) was disappointing because it was something I didn't expect to happen,'' Wells said as he quietly checked into Yankees Spring Training camp on Thursday. "I didn't know what to think.''
Wells had just gone 18-4 with a 3.49 for a World Series championship team many people believe was one of the greatest in Major League history. He threw a perfect game against Minnesota in 1998 and had established himself as a fan favorite if not a clubhouse favorite.
Then, in February of 1999, he was traded to Toronto with second baseman Homer Bush and reliever Graeme Lloyd for Roger Clemens.
Wells was devastated.
He didn't know if the reason was because of his weight, his outspoken personality, his run-in with manager Joe Torre or a combination of all three. All he knew was that he felt at home in New York with the fans, his teammates and the Yankee legends he so admires.
"I think there were people there who just didn't want me around,'' Wells said.
Asked Thursday if he ever thought he'd be back with the Yankees, Wells quietly said, "No.''
Then he perked up and added, "But George moves in mysterious ways.''
But even before Steinbrenner, the Yankees managing general partner, signed on the dotted line with Wells, Torre and Wells had a talk and cleared the air a bit.
"Joe heard I was mad,'' Wells said. "We hashed it out and we're fine.''
Torre agreed, saying they had had a falling out at one game in Texas when Wells perceived that he was pulled from the game too early.
"We talked. I gave a little. He gave a little. We're fine,'' Torre said.
But Wells wholly denied any reports of a rift with Clemens.
"I don't know where everybody's getting this Roger stuff,'' Wells said. "I've never said anything bad about Roger.''
Wells had been quoted just after the Jays-Yankees deal as saying that trading him was a mistake. He went on to post 17-10 and 20-8 seasons for Toronto and was traded to the White Sox last offseason in the infamous Mike Sirotka deal. He got in only 16 starts with Chicago (going 5-7) before needing season-ending back surgery to repair two disks.
Wells said he considered retiring but it just didn't feel right.
"I think if I had had a healthy season last year, I probably would have retired,'' said Wells, 38. "I don't care about stats. I just want to go out on a healthy note on my own terms. And this is the only team I would have come back for. I guarantee I would have retired.''
But well into the winter, the Yankees did not call. Except his lunching pal, Steinbrenner, who Wells introduced to several new Tampa-area restaurants. But Steinbrenner didn't mention a return to pinstripes for Wells. The Yankees already had four very good starters and then re-signed lefty Sterling Hitchcock.
So Wells went ahead and shook hands on a one-year, incentive-laden deal with Arizona owner Jerry Colangelo. The contract would have been finalized at that time but there was no doctor around for Wells to take a physical.
So, back at his home in the Tampa area for the holidays, Wells had lunch with Steinrenner again and informed "The Boss'' of his plans to pitch for the team that beat the Yankees in seven games in the World Series. It was then, on Christmas Eve, that Steinbrenner convinced Wells to return to the Yankees.
"I'm the happiest man in the world right now,'' said Wells, who signed a two-year, $7 million contract. ""I didn't expect two years. George surprised me with that.''
All the while, Wells was rehabilitating his back through regular exercises with a personal trainer. And Thursday, there were very few signs of any problems.
"I feel pretty good,'' Wells said. "My back is not yet 100 percent but it feels good. There is still stiffness sometimes but I can work through it. There will be good days and bad days. I expect that. The next six weeks will be a good test of all that.''
While he was exercising regularly, the most amazing thing happened. Wells started to lose weight. So, he decided to do even more by limiting the amount of carbohydrates he took in, including his beloved beer. That was tough, Wells said, especially when he was out and about with friends. But it was well worth the result.
"I've lost 28-30 pounds,'' Wells said. "I'm about 244 (lbs.) right now. I did exercise every day and paid attention to my diet. There were a lot of back exercises. If I didn't rehab it, I'd probably be retired right now.''
He also started throwing a baseball, just a little long toss, which he usually doesn't do during the offseason.
"I have not been throwing off a mound and I don't expect to for awhile,'' Wells said. "Hopefully, they don't want me to start the first game of spring. But I have been throwing. It only takes me 10-12 days to get ready.
"There's not going to be any problem with pitching. These guys know what I'm capable of doing. Spring Training is worthless to me. I've had some terrible Spring Trainings and then had good seasons.''
Even though the Yankees have six quality starters for five spots, they certainly would be happy if Wells returns to his 1997-2000 form when he compiled an 82-46 record.
"He's a great talent,'' said reliever Mike Stanton. "If we can keep him healthy, he should be able to help quite a bit.''
And even one of the quietest Yankees is looking forward to seeing what "Boomer'' can bring.
"He gives us more experience and a quality pitcher,'' said starter Mike Mussina. "And he's always fun to be with in the clubhouse.''
Apparently Wells' Yankee clubhouse reputation reached last year's rookie sensation, Alfonso Soriano, because the second baseman willingly gave up his number (33) so Wells could once again honor Wells' favorite Yankee, Babe Ruth, by wearing it.
"Soriano gave up No. 33 pretty easy,'' Wells said. "He didn't bargain for it or I'm sure he would have gotten some money for it. But I'll take him out to dinner or something.''
Even though he is slimmer, healthier and maybe a little bit wiser, there is no doubt: Boomer is back.
By Paul Smith
MLB.com
TAMPA -- David Wells was not sure what was more of a relief, the load that was lifted off his mind or the 30 pounds he shed from his body.
In retrospect, though, losing all that weight was probably a little easier for Wells to deal with than not knowing why he was dealt from the New York Yankees just before the 1999 season.
"(Being traded) was disappointing because it was something I didn't expect to happen,'' Wells said as he quietly checked into Yankees Spring Training camp on Thursday. "I didn't know what to think.''
Wells had just gone 18-4 with a 3.49 for a World Series championship team many people believe was one of the greatest in Major League history. He threw a perfect game against Minnesota in 1998 and had established himself as a fan favorite if not a clubhouse favorite.
Then, in February of 1999, he was traded to Toronto with second baseman Homer Bush and reliever Graeme Lloyd for Roger Clemens.
Wells was devastated.
He didn't know if the reason was because of his weight, his outspoken personality, his run-in with manager Joe Torre or a combination of all three. All he knew was that he felt at home in New York with the fans, his teammates and the Yankee legends he so admires.
"I think there were people there who just didn't want me around,'' Wells said.
Asked Thursday if he ever thought he'd be back with the Yankees, Wells quietly said, "No.''
Then he perked up and added, "But George moves in mysterious ways.''
But even before Steinbrenner, the Yankees managing general partner, signed on the dotted line with Wells, Torre and Wells had a talk and cleared the air a bit.
"Joe heard I was mad,'' Wells said. "We hashed it out and we're fine.''
Torre agreed, saying they had had a falling out at one game in Texas when Wells perceived that he was pulled from the game too early.
"We talked. I gave a little. He gave a little. We're fine,'' Torre said.
But Wells wholly denied any reports of a rift with Clemens.
"I don't know where everybody's getting this Roger stuff,'' Wells said. "I've never said anything bad about Roger.''
Wells had been quoted just after the Jays-Yankees deal as saying that trading him was a mistake. He went on to post 17-10 and 20-8 seasons for Toronto and was traded to the White Sox last offseason in the infamous Mike Sirotka deal. He got in only 16 starts with Chicago (going 5-7) before needing season-ending back surgery to repair two disks.
Wells said he considered retiring but it just didn't feel right.
"I think if I had had a healthy season last year, I probably would have retired,'' said Wells, 38. "I don't care about stats. I just want to go out on a healthy note on my own terms. And this is the only team I would have come back for. I guarantee I would have retired.''
But well into the winter, the Yankees did not call. Except his lunching pal, Steinbrenner, who Wells introduced to several new Tampa-area restaurants. But Steinbrenner didn't mention a return to pinstripes for Wells. The Yankees already had four very good starters and then re-signed lefty Sterling Hitchcock.
So Wells went ahead and shook hands on a one-year, incentive-laden deal with Arizona owner Jerry Colangelo. The contract would have been finalized at that time but there was no doctor around for Wells to take a physical.
So, back at his home in the Tampa area for the holidays, Wells had lunch with Steinrenner again and informed "The Boss'' of his plans to pitch for the team that beat the Yankees in seven games in the World Series. It was then, on Christmas Eve, that Steinbrenner convinced Wells to return to the Yankees.
"I'm the happiest man in the world right now,'' said Wells, who signed a two-year, $7 million contract. ""I didn't expect two years. George surprised me with that.''
All the while, Wells was rehabilitating his back through regular exercises with a personal trainer. And Thursday, there were very few signs of any problems.
"I feel pretty good,'' Wells said. "My back is not yet 100 percent but it feels good. There is still stiffness sometimes but I can work through it. There will be good days and bad days. I expect that. The next six weeks will be a good test of all that.''
While he was exercising regularly, the most amazing thing happened. Wells started to lose weight. So, he decided to do even more by limiting the amount of carbohydrates he took in, including his beloved beer. That was tough, Wells said, especially when he was out and about with friends. But it was well worth the result.
"I've lost 28-30 pounds,'' Wells said. "I'm about 244 (lbs.) right now. I did exercise every day and paid attention to my diet. There were a lot of back exercises. If I didn't rehab it, I'd probably be retired right now.''
He also started throwing a baseball, just a little long toss, which he usually doesn't do during the offseason.
"I have not been throwing off a mound and I don't expect to for awhile,'' Wells said. "Hopefully, they don't want me to start the first game of spring. But I have been throwing. It only takes me 10-12 days to get ready.
"There's not going to be any problem with pitching. These guys know what I'm capable of doing. Spring Training is worthless to me. I've had some terrible Spring Trainings and then had good seasons.''
Even though the Yankees have six quality starters for five spots, they certainly would be happy if Wells returns to his 1997-2000 form when he compiled an 82-46 record.
"He's a great talent,'' said reliever Mike Stanton. "If we can keep him healthy, he should be able to help quite a bit.''
And even one of the quietest Yankees is looking forward to seeing what "Boomer'' can bring.
"He gives us more experience and a quality pitcher,'' said starter Mike Mussina. "And he's always fun to be with in the clubhouse.''
Apparently Wells' Yankee clubhouse reputation reached last year's rookie sensation, Alfonso Soriano, because the second baseman willingly gave up his number (33) so Wells could once again honor Wells' favorite Yankee, Babe Ruth, by wearing it.
"Soriano gave up No. 33 pretty easy,'' Wells said. "He didn't bargain for it or I'm sure he would have gotten some money for it. But I'll take him out to dinner or something.''
Even though he is slimmer, healthier and maybe a little bit wiser, there is no doubt: Boomer is back.