One on One with Jane Mitchell featuring the Legend David Wells
David Wells is one colorful character with a baseball resume that lands him in the legends category for our special One on One series. With much of his story of growing up in Ocean Beach and the bulk of his career covered in the archived copy of the show, our update of this legend’s story would include what has he been doing since retiring in 2007? I first interviewed him for a show in 2004 and again in 2006 upon his return to San Diego. While it took some convincing and wrangling back then, I do think he appreciated the final product. So with a phone call and an email, he was willing, and maybe even happy? to do another interview on life after the big leagues. He’s head coach of his alma mater’s baseball team, the Pt. Loma Pointers.
On a warm St. Patrick’s Day, photographer Dan Roper and I met “Coach” Wells at the field (which bears his name) before practice. Greeted with a big hug, we sat down to zip through the last several years – including the tough transition out of the game and how he’s found his calling – at least for the time being. Interviewing some of his students and listening in on his coaching and talk with the team shows a different side of David Wells and offers some great insight not only about him, but how hard a road it is and what it takes to make it through. Great advice for young players as well as entertaining.
A more in-depth back story is in the chapter in my book featuring David Wells.
Show Summary:
One on One with Jane Mitchell featuring the legend David Wells is a story about coming home for a man on a mission – to help his hometown team get to the 2006 post-season. Traded from Boston late in the 2006 season, the big-game pitcher returned to San Diego for the second time. He’s as colorful a character as you’ll find in baseball. His achievements for two decades are impressive, including pitching the elusive and rare perfect game in 1998 as a New York Yankee. All this starting out as a poor kid in Ocean Beach with his mother who hung with the Hell’s Angels crowd.
The 2015 Legends version to bring his story up to date finds David Wells as the coach of his alma mater at Point Loma High School. As candid as ever, wearing sunglasses and his heart on his sleeve, Boomer reflects on the highs and lows of life after the pros.