Wells: 'I don't plan on coming back'
SAN DIEGO (AP) - David "Boomer" Wells blew into his hometown on Friday evening and let on that this is more than likely going to be the last season of successful, colorful big league career.
Wells, obtained Thursday by San Diego from the Boston Red Sox for the stretch drive, said he plans to retire regardless if he helps get the Padres into the playoffs.
"I'm going to pull a Junior Seau. I'm just graduating," Wells joked, referring to the former Chargers linebacker who announced recently that he was "graduating" from the NFL rather than retiring.
But unlike Seau, who signed with New England four days later, Boomer said he plans to walk away for good.
"I don't think I'm going to officially retire, but I don't plan on coming back, I'll tell you that right now," Wells said about an hour after arriving from the airport. "I've enjoyed my career, the ups and downs of it. It made me who I am today. I think it's time to pass the baton and let a young guy play."
Wells is scheduled to start Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds.
He said he's already booked several hunting trips for next year, and that he's going to Africa in November.
"I'm going to be out in the woods or somewhere having some fun," he said. "I think it's time. I'm not going to just come out and say I'm retiring, but just play it by ear. Unless there's something that's so stupid out there that I can't turn down, then so be it."
That might not be too likely for a guy who's 43 and was bothered by a knee injury most of this season.
But Wells has pitched well the last month, which is why the Padres will send one of their top prospects, believed to be catcher George Kottaras, or cash to the Red Sox for the lefty.
Wells is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA. Since returning from the disabled list on July 31, he is 2-2 in six starts. He has a 2.65 ERA in his last five outings beginning August 5.
Wells has been outstanding in October. He's pitched in the playoffs 10 times for five clubs - Boston, the New York Yankees, Toronto, Cincinnati and Baltimore, with a career record of 10-4 with a 3.15 ERA.
He won World Series rings with Toronto in 1992 and the Yankees in 1998, when they swept the Padres. He was with the Yankees when they lost the 2003 World Series to Florida.
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