David Wells
| Birthdate | 5/20/1963 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1986 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Blue Jays, Dodgers, Orioles, Padres, Red Sox, Reds, Tigers, White Sox, Yankees |
| Position | Pitcher |
Two-time World Series champion David Wells authored a perfect game, won 239 games, had two top-3 Cy Young finishes and a 53.4 career WAR.
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David Wells threw baseball's 15 perfect game on May 17, 1998 at Yankee Stadium
David Wells threw baseball's 15 perfect game on May 17, 1998 at Yankee Stadium
David Wells achieved baseball immortality when he threw the 15th perfect game in the sport’s history. Pitching before 49,820 fans at Yankee Stadium, the left-hander dispatched 27 straight Minnesota hitters on May 17, 1998.
It was the second Yankee perfect game, coming 42 years after Don Larsen’s gem in the 1956 World Series. Wells’ game was sandwiched between two fine Yankee pitching performances – Dwight Gooden’s 1996 no-hitter, and David Cone’s perfect game in 1999.
Shown here is the ticket to Wells’ masterpiece. The pitcher’s PSA-certified autograph adorns it.
Perfect game pitchers Wells and Don Larsen went to the same San Diego high school
Perfect game pitchers Wells and Don Larsen went to the same San Diego high school
David Wells’ 1998 perfect game was the second in Yankee history. It came 42 years after Don Larsen’s gem in the 1956 World Series. The two men are linked to another team they both played for – Point Loma High School in San Diego.
PLHS class of 1947, Larsen remains the only pitcher to retire 27 straight batters in one World Series game. Wells threw a perfect game for PLHS before graduating in 1982. After retiring from the big leagues, Wells became the school’s head coach.
David Wells completed his big league career with 239 wins, 2,201 strikeouts, and a 53.4 WAR.
Shown here is a 1959 Topps card titled “Words of Wisdom”. It features Yankee skipper Casey Stengel along with Larsen whose signature is authenticated by PSA.
A little over a year after Wells' gem, David Cone pitched a perfect game of his own
A little over a year after Wells' gem, David Cone pitched a perfect game of his own
The year after David Wells threw his 1998 perfect game fellow Yankee David Cone twirled one his own. Cone’s gem was particularly memorable. With the team celebrating Yogi Berra Day, the ceremonial first pitch was thrown by the first Yankee to author a perfect game – Don Larsen.
Cone dispatched 27 Expos in order on just 88 pitches on July 18, 1999. The Yankees became the first team in MLB history to claim three perfect game pitchers.
Shown here is a 1987 Topps traded card autographed by Cone. He’s depicted in a New York uniform with the Mets.
Wells bought a hat worn by Babe Ruth then wore it in a 1997 Yankee Stadium start
Wells bought a hat worn by Babe Ruth then wore it in a 1997 Yankee Stadium start
In addition to being a major league pitcher, David Wells is connoisseur of baseball history. When he signed with the sport’s most storied franchise on Christmas Eve, 1996, he asked for the uniform number of their greatest player. The Yankees denied Wells’ request citing the 1948 retirement Babe Ruth’s #3.
The newest Yankee doubled down on his tip of the cap to Ruth and took #33.
In his first season in New York, Wells saw another chance to honor the Babe. Earlier, the pitcher purchased Ruth’s 1934 cap for $35,000 at an auction. Wells decided to wear it on the mound at Yankee Stadium for his June 28th start. Because it wasn’t part of the official uniform, MLB fined Wells $2,500. For the pitcher it was well worth it.
Wells eventually sold that hat in 2012. He made quite a handsome profit as the Yankee headwear sold for over a half-million dollars.
Shown here is a photo signed by baseball’s greatest player.
Wells went 4-0 in the 1998 postseason as ALCS MVP and World Series champion
Wells went 4-0 in the 1998 postseason as ALCS MVP and World Series champion
As the Yankees Game 1 starter in the ALDS, ALCS, and the World Series, David Wells was magnificent in the 1998 postseason. The left-hander went 4-0 with a 2.93 ERA, 5 walks, and 31 strikeouts. Though he went deep into each of his four starts, Wells needed some support out of the bullpen. He got plenty from Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera.
As New York kicked off the postseason in the ALDS, Wells went a strong 8 innings. He surrendered 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 8. Rivera came on in the 9th and retired three Texas batters in order. Wells got the win, Rivera the save in the Yankee shutout. Together they helped the team brush aside the Rangers in three straight.
Lineup up for the Game 1 start of the ALCS against the Indians, Wells delivered again. This time he got one batter out in the 9th before yielding to the ‘pen. Wells allowed two runs on 5 hits. He finished with 1 walk and 7 Ks. In the non-save situation, manager Joe Torre summoned reliever Jeff Nelson to finish the game. Wells and the Yankees won 7-2.
With the Series tied at two games apiece, Wells took the hill in pivotal Game 5. He responded by leading his team to another victory. Wells tamed the Cleveland bats, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits in 7 1/2 innings. He walked one and struck out 11. When Wells’ night was finished, Torre called on Rivera to get the final 5 outs for the save. Two days later the Yankees closed the Series, earning a berth in the Fall Classic. For his efforts, Wells was named the ALCS Most Valuable Player.
Six days later the World Series opened at Yankee Stadium. It was 59 degrees when Wells took the mound at 8:00 on Sunday night, October 17th. Well’s scuffled bit, allowing a pair of homers to Greg Vaughn and one to Tony Gwynn in the first five innings.
After completing the 7th, Wells found his team down 5-2. That’s when the Yankee offense woke up. Behind a three-run homer by Chuck Knoblauch and a grand slam by Tino Martinez, New York exploded for 7 runs. That put Wells in line for the win.
Setup man Nelson replaced Wells, getting two outs while allowing two base runners. With four outs to go, Mariano Rivera came in and slammed the door. In Wells’ four 1998 postseason wins Rivera pitched 4 innings without allowing a run.
In the collection is a photo taken of the last Major League pitch in old Yankee Stadium. Fittingly Mariano Rivera is on the hill and has signed, this image adding the inscription, “Final Out 9.21.08”. Rivera was magnificent that season, posting a 1.40 ERA with 36 saves.
Wells and Kenny Lofton share the record of appearing in the postseason with 6 different teams
Wells and Kenny Lofton share the record of appearing in the postseason with 6 different teams
During his 21-year big league career David Wells suited up for 9 teams. With the help of the left-hander, six of those squads reached the postseason.
Twirling for the Blue Jays, Reds, Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox, and Padres, Wells went 10-5 with a 3.17 ERA in 27 postseason appearances. He pitched in the Division and League Championship Series for both the NL and the AL. All three of his World Series years came for the Junior Circuit.
His October highlights include titles with the 1992 Jays and the 1998 Yankees as well as the 1998 ALCS MVP Award. The 1998 postseason was Wells’ best. That year he was the Game 1 starter for the eventual champs in the ALDS, ALCS, and the World Series.
The only other player to appear in the postseason for six different teams is Kenny Lofton. The center fielder played October baseball with the Indians, Braves, Giants, Cubs, Yankees, and Dodgers. Lofton represented both the National and American Leagues in the Division, League Championship, and World Series.
Lofton played in 95 postseason games and finished with 97 hits, 38 walks, 12 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, 34 RBI, and 34 stolen bases. In the collection is this contract with Topps Chewing Gum signed by Lofton on February 25, 2005.
