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Tuesday, March 28, 2006
ON BASEBALL: Kevin Thomas
Though it takes a bit longer, he'll be ready
Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||||||||||
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Also on this page: DAVID WELLS | |||||||||
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The skinny left-hander kept jerking his head to the left or right, watching hit after hit fly past him. It's easy to see why the Boston Red Sox finally gave up on Casey Fossum, who now pitches for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Meanwhile, the other lefty, the not-so-skinny one, was doing what he does best. David Wells threw strikes and hit spots, retiring six of the first seven batters he faced. Boston led, 7-0. Then came the third inning, when Wells got peppered for six runs on five hits, including two home runs, and a rare walk. "It's good to get all the kinks out right now," Wells said. "I'd get behind in the count and have to come to them. When you have to make that pitch, you have a tendency to aim it and throw a cookie. "But I responded. I came back out, 1-2-3." Wells came out for the fourth and faced just three batters, giving up a single but inducing a grounder for a 6-4-3 double play. It was the final major-league spring-training game in a 25-year pro career for Wells, who turns 43 on May 20 and already has said this will be his last season. "Twenty-five spring trainings is a lot," Wells said in the Red Sox clubhouse as he leaned back in a chair, ice bags wrapped around his left shoulder and right knee. "I would have never thought I'd make it 25 years. "Basically, it's the love of the game. You come out year after year and do something that you grew up admiring. To do that and stay this long . . ." Wells didn't finish the sentence, but he knows he's a fortunate man. Still, it's a little early to get sentimental about his career. He's still got work to do. Wells will pitch in a minor-league preseason game Sunday while the Red Sox play an exhibition in Philadelphia. When the Red Sox are in Texas Monday for the regular-season opener, Wells said he will be there to "play catch and do some stuff." Then he will likely head to Triple-A Pawtucket for a rehab start. If all goes well, Wells will make his first start on April 12 at Fenway Park. Wells originally balked at being taken out of the rotation at the start of the season; Boston needs only four starters because of two off days before the seventh game of the season. But it was obvious Monday that Wells is not ready. He started spring training with only long tosses while recovering from minor surgery on his right knee. Monday was just his second start of the spring. "The only thing that was wrong was location," Wells said. "I had good location for a couple of innings. "I'm not holding back. Do I wish (the knee) felt better? Yeah, but I'm good enough to go. In due time, everything will fall into place." Wells did acknowledge "it's getting tougher and tougher every day. I'm not 25. I see these young guys, the way they work out. I can't do that. I just do what I need to do. "If it takes a little bit longer, I'm satisfied with that. I know how I can pitch. I know what I'm capable of doing." The Red Sox are counting on a capable Wells. He did not get traded as he wanted in the off-season. He won't be on the opening-day roster, but he is on a team capable of playing well into October, which would be a fitting way to end a long career. For now, we will simply note one small landmark: David Wells' last spring-training start. "I never really reflected on it," Wells said. "I'm sure I'll miss it, but I won't have to get up at 7 in the morning (in the spring anymore)." Wells corrected himself. "Yes, I will, when I take the kids to school. But coming in here, stretching and going through that soreness . . . I won't have to deal with that any more, and that will be cool." Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:
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