David “Boomer” Wells Biography - Athletes Living with Diabetes

David “Boomer” Wells Biography
dLife

Claim to Fame: San Diego Padres Pitcher
DOB: May 20, 1963
Diabetes Type: 2

David Lee Wells was born May 20, 1963 in Torrance, California. A true athlete, he played both basketball and baseball at Point Loma High School in San Diego. Not long after he graduated in 1982, he debuted for the Toronto Blue Jays where he played until 1992.

Although Wells was always a tremendous athlete, he really emerged as a top tier pitcher in 1995. He was however traded around quite a bit during this time period, starting out the season with the Detroit Tigers, finishing it with the Cincinnati Reds, and then moving to the Baltimore Orioles in 1996. He was signed as a free agent in 1997 with his long-time favorite team, the New York Yankees. It was for this club that Wells pitched a perfect game, had an 18-4 record, and finished fifth in the league in ERA (3.49).

Wells has spent the last 10 years jumping around from team to team. He went back to the Blue Jays in 1999 where he pitched 169 strikeouts. He then went to the White Sox in 2001, and then back to the Yankees in 2002. He played for the San Diego Padres and the Boston Red Sox from 2004 to 2007.

Wells revealed his diabetes diagnosis in March of 2007. Speaking to the press, he said: "Obviously, this is a concern. But it's beatable. And I'm going to beat it. It's going to take some lifestyle changes. And I'm already making them. From the time I found out, I made changes. No more starches and sugar. No more rice, pasta, potatoes and white bread. No more fast food. I've cut out alcohol."

On August 23, 2007, Wells was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers where he is still a member of the team.

Over his professional baseball career Wells has had 2,201 strikeouts and has been a 3 time All-Star selection in 1995, 1998, and 2000. He helped the Blue Jays win the World Series in 1992, and then in 1998 he led the Yankees to their World Series Championship and was the ALCS MVP.