You have to admit, no matter what, David Wells brought something to baseball no other seemed to match – gumption.

After being released by the Padres, Wells, 44,  will have some difficult decisions to make over the next few days.

Every day I check the internet to see if he landed on another team, or decided to call it a day.

This search led me to a column by Tim Sullivan of the Union-Tribune in San Diego.  Mr. Sullivan spelled it out – time goes on, but look at what he’s done. I think at the very least he deserved to be recognized for his accomplishments in the game, and not just on recent performance. 

(http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/sullivan/20070809-9999-1s9sullivan.html)  It’s a great read btw.

I was only 6 years-old when Wells pitched his perfect game. How cool it would have been to be there.

Having spent most of his time in the AL while I was growing up, I never got to see him in person until two-weeks ago in Houston.  I was in complete awe. 

I have interviewed a lot of high profile major leaguers, and I was very excited when he was scheduled to pitch on this trip. I submitted my interview request and  I couldn’t wait to try and sit and talk with him.  Unfortunately, after the shaky outing, the interview didn’t happen.  I hope to get the opportunity to interview him one day, but of course, that would mean him not retiring, and then playing with a NL team that makes its rounds to Houston or close by. 

But don’t rule me out hoping on a plane if he signed with another team and the opportunity presented itself. (Right mom?  Hop on a plane? With a little – ok a lot – of nudging from me, who knows, she just might do it!  She’s one of Boomer’s biggest fans, and being a sports photographer, took about a million pictures of him when he was here. There will certainly be no shortage of David Wells photos  if anyone needs one. BTW, she taught me to love baseball early on, and I thank her for that. )

If I could make the decision for Wells, I would say kick the mud off the shoes, saddle up and give it another go.  Go out your way – when you want – and show ‘em you still got game. 

But if he decides to retire, that’s ok too. He has nothing to hang his head over and we wish him the very best.