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The throwback Wells has fun in and out of baseball
Posted: Tuesday July 04, 2000 03:15 AM
On February 18, 1999, pitcher David Wells was part of a three-for-one trade when the New York Yankees shipped him, fellow pitcher Graeme Lloyd and second baseman Homer Bush to Toronto for pitcher Roger Clemens. This is the 37-year-old's second stint with the Blue Jays, as he spent his first five years in MLB in Toronto from 1987-92. His 14-2 record is currently the best in baseball (he's 31-12 since the trade). Recently, CNNSI.com's Nancy Newman talked to Wells about the trade, today's players and the Cy Young Award. David Wells: When [the trade] first happened, it was a shock because I didn't understand why and all that. But I had three days to recoup. I went down to Miami, spent a couple of days with friends down there and did some golfing and just thought. And I just said, "I've got to look at this as a business transaction. It's something that happens in the game all the time." So in order for me to go out there and be successful, I've got to cut the ties and go out there and just worry about what I have to do. I don't hold any hard feelings against [the trade]. It was the place I wanted to be. I wanted to retire a Yankee. But sometimes your dreams change. Nancy Newman: Knowing you got traded for Roger Clemens, is there a little place in the back of your mind somewhere where there's an inner competition to out-pitch him? Wells: At first there was. But now it's not. Because to me, this is a serious game, and I take my job very seriously. So I can't worry about if Roger is winning or not and try and compete with him. I have a lot of fun. I'm a crazy guy, and I enjoy it. I do things a lot different, and my demeanor is something that people would look at and say, "You got to be kidding me." [laughs] Newman: You are a throwback? Wells: Yeah, and I wish I did play back in the [old] days, because I think the game meant a lot back then, more so than it does today. It's ridiculous how this game has changed. Newman: You mean with salaries? Wells: Salaries, the approach. I think guys holding out after one or two years, they're trying to hold out for $4 to $5 million. I mean, it's crazy. Guys signing out of high school expecting to get anywhere from $3 to $10 million and holding out? It's ridiculous. Newman: You are having a great year. Even if it's something you don't think about, it's going to be dealt toward you. Thoughts about the Cy Young? Wells: It has been mentioned. They did it last year and the year before. To me, I don't care if I get it. I don't care if I ever get it. It's nice to be mentioned. It's nice to be in the same category as the Pedros [Martinez] and the Randy Johnsons. And for me to go out there and do my job, I'm a whole different ballplayer than these guys are. They approach the game differently than I do. My ability between the lines speaks for itself. And I think if that time comes and when the voting comes, it's up to [the media]. I don't think it will ever happen because the press and I don't get along. I have my differences with them every year. I could pretty much care less what they say or do to me, because I've fought with them so many times. I think that if you kiss their butt a little bit you might get some votes. But I don't kiss anyone's butt. Never have and never will. My mom taught me very well, God bless her. I think that you lead by example and your pitching. Whatever you do out there speaks for itself.
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