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| David Wells, shown above being carried off the field by his Yankee teammates in 1998 after pitching a perfect game, wants to return to New York this year. PHOTO COURTESY OF MLB |
Boomer, Part Three?
New York – A few days shy of his 45th birthday, former Yankee ace David Wells isn’t ready to call it quits and believes he can still pitch for the same team he found success with a decade ago.
The burly left-hander who propelled New York to 125 wins and a World Series championship in 1998 would like to return to the Bronx Bombers this season if the team would have him back. Wells, a free-agent, told the New York Post last week that he’s been working out near his home in San Diego.
“Boomer” finished 9-9 with a 5.43 ERA for the Padres and Dodgers last season, but went unsigned over the winter. He does not consider himself retired, and said his arm feels great. Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes during spring training last year, Wells has shed 25 pounds and tips the scales around 245.
“I'm in shape, I'd just have to fine-tune a couple of things,” said Wells, who has been attempting to keep loose by pitching to his son’s high school team. “I'd need a little bit of time, but not much. Physically I feel fine, real good.”
New York lost to Tampa Bay in extra innings Tuesday night and now is in fourth place in the American League East at 19-21.
Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner has considered signing Wells with Phil Hughes out of the rotation likely until July and the recent struggles of Ian Kennedy and the recently recalled Kei Igawa. But Steinbrenner said he has not discussed Wells' availability with GM Brian Cashman or manager Joe Girardi.
“You never know,” Steinbrenner said. “[Wells] hasn't come up in conversation, but I've had so much other [bleep] to deal with lately.”
Wells, who turns 45 on May 20, has 239 career victories. He pitched for the Yankees from 1997-98 and again from 2002-03. He threw a perfect game ten years ago on May 17 with the Yankees.
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| By george, hear what Hank has to say: Yanks have talent, but need more fire. PHOTO COURTESY OF MLB |
High Expectations
Hank Steinbrenner wants his team – two games below .500 after losing to the Rays on Tuesday – not to use the absences of stars Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada as an excuse for the team's early struggles.
“They've got to play smarter and harder,” Steinbrenner said Wednesday. “The injuries — when you're missing Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada, that makes it tough. The injuries make a huge difference. At the same time, you’ve got to get it done. We still have plenty of good hitters. We need to get the job done.”
The Yankees’ $209 million payroll is the highest in baseball, but New York has lacked offensive thump with Rodriguez, last year's American League MVP, and Posada both mending injuries. Rodriguez could rejoin the Yankees next week, but Posada is expected to be out until at least June.
“This is going to get turned around,” Steinbrenner said. “If it's not turned around this year, then it will be turned around next year, by force if we have to.”
Following the four-game series against the Rays, the Yanks host the New York Mets in a three-game series starting Friday. Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, traded to the Mets after the Yankees cut off talks with the Minnesota Twins, is slated to pitch the Subway Series opener Friday.
He’s Human After All
On Tuesday night, Gabe Gross’ 11th inning single off Yankee closer Mariano Rivera scored pinch-runner Jonny Gomes, handing the Rays a 2-1 11th inning victory and sole possession of first place in the AL East.
Rivera allowed his first run of the season, coming in his second inning of the night and ending a string of 15 scoreless appearances.
New York has managed to score just two runs in its last 24 innings, dating back to Saturday at Detroit. The Yankees have sorely missed Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada, who remain sidelined with injuries.
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| Yankee closer Mariano Rivera finally gave up a run Tuesday night. PHOTO COURTESY OF MLB |
“We miss those two guys, but we can’t do anything about it,” Rivera said. “We continue playing and have to play hard. They will come, but right now we have to figure out how to score runs and pitch better.”
Moose Calling
The Yankees could use another strong pitching performance from Mike Mussina Wednesday night.
The veteran has faced the Rays more times than any other Major League pitcher, going 17-7 with a 3.44 in 30 career starts. Mussina won his last start against Tampa Bay on April 7, allowing two hits and one run over six innings, and he is riding a four-game win streak into his ninth start of the season. However, he’s 7-5 in 16 career starts at Tropicana Field.
