Luvofthegame
09-04-2006, 03:00 PM
By Jay Posner
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 2, 2006
David Wells was all smiles yesterday after returning to the Padres for the first time since 2004, but his joy had his limits.
Yes, he's happy to be back in the area where he went to high school and has a house (in Rancho Santa Fe). No, it's not for the long term. At least as a player.
Asked his plans beyond this season, Wells joked, “I'm going to pull a Junior Seau: I'm just graduating,” referring to the former Chargers linebacker who said he was “graduating” from the NFL rather than retiring.
Seau then turned around a few days later and signed with the New England Patriots. But Wells said he's made up his mind to leave for good whenever this season ends.
“I don't think I'm going to officially retire, but I don't plan on coming back,” Wells said yesterday evening at a pregame press conference following his arrival from Boston. “I've enjoyed my career and the ups and downs of it; it made me who I am today. It's time to pass the baton and let a young guy play.
“I've already booked up a lot of hunts for next year, so I'm going to be out in the woods or somewhere having fun.”
The only exception, Wells said, would be if there were an offer “so stupid out there I can't turn it down.” Considering Wells will be almost 44 when next season begins, that seems rather unlikely.
But that's also not of much concern to the Padres at this point. They'll give Wells six starts over the season's final month, beginning with tomorrow's game against Cincinnati, and hope he can make a difference as they chase a playoff spot. The Point Loma High alum said it would be the fulfillment of a childhood dream to help his hometown team reach the postseason.
“I've been pitching well of late,” said Wells, who had a 2.65 ERA in his last five starts for Boston. “I feel pretty good. (This is) just an opportunity to pitch and try to help a team win and try to go to the playoffs. That's when I shine. I've done it my whole career. I love the ball in a big game. I'm not afraid to take it. I'm not afraid to lose and I love to win.”
Wells has pitched in 26 postseason games (16 starts) and compiled a 10-4 record with a 3.15 ERA.
“He's definitely the kind of guy you want on your team at the end of the year and in the playoffs,” said Mark Bellhorn, who was a teammate last year when Wells started a Division Series game for Boston. “He's been in this game a long time and pitched in a lot of huge games.”
Said Mike Piazza: “I would relate it to how the acquisition of (Greg) Maddux has helped the Dodgers. You know his record and he's always pitched well in postseason games. He just has a certain poise and his disposition on the mound is very competitive. It's got to rub off on the rest of the staff.”
Piazza added a move this late in the season could help inspire the rest of the team as well.
“You need a jolt of energy,” he said. “Everyone's tired, everyone's beat up. A guy like that, it has to help.”
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 2, 2006
David Wells was all smiles yesterday after returning to the Padres for the first time since 2004, but his joy had his limits.
Yes, he's happy to be back in the area where he went to high school and has a house (in Rancho Santa Fe). No, it's not for the long term. At least as a player.
Asked his plans beyond this season, Wells joked, “I'm going to pull a Junior Seau: I'm just graduating,” referring to the former Chargers linebacker who said he was “graduating” from the NFL rather than retiring.
Seau then turned around a few days later and signed with the New England Patriots. But Wells said he's made up his mind to leave for good whenever this season ends.
“I don't think I'm going to officially retire, but I don't plan on coming back,” Wells said yesterday evening at a pregame press conference following his arrival from Boston. “I've enjoyed my career and the ups and downs of it; it made me who I am today. It's time to pass the baton and let a young guy play.
“I've already booked up a lot of hunts for next year, so I'm going to be out in the woods or somewhere having fun.”
The only exception, Wells said, would be if there were an offer “so stupid out there I can't turn it down.” Considering Wells will be almost 44 when next season begins, that seems rather unlikely.
But that's also not of much concern to the Padres at this point. They'll give Wells six starts over the season's final month, beginning with tomorrow's game against Cincinnati, and hope he can make a difference as they chase a playoff spot. The Point Loma High alum said it would be the fulfillment of a childhood dream to help his hometown team reach the postseason.
“I've been pitching well of late,” said Wells, who had a 2.65 ERA in his last five starts for Boston. “I feel pretty good. (This is) just an opportunity to pitch and try to help a team win and try to go to the playoffs. That's when I shine. I've done it my whole career. I love the ball in a big game. I'm not afraid to take it. I'm not afraid to lose and I love to win.”
Wells has pitched in 26 postseason games (16 starts) and compiled a 10-4 record with a 3.15 ERA.
“He's definitely the kind of guy you want on your team at the end of the year and in the playoffs,” said Mark Bellhorn, who was a teammate last year when Wells started a Division Series game for Boston. “He's been in this game a long time and pitched in a lot of huge games.”
Said Mike Piazza: “I would relate it to how the acquisition of (Greg) Maddux has helped the Dodgers. You know his record and he's always pitched well in postseason games. He just has a certain poise and his disposition on the mound is very competitive. It's got to rub off on the rest of the staff.”
Piazza added a move this late in the season could help inspire the rest of the team as well.
“You need a jolt of energy,” he said. “Everyone's tired, everyone's beat up. A guy like that, it has to help.”