In 1997, after a poor performance against the Montreal Expos, David Wells did the unthinkable: he challenged Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to a fistfight in the Yankees clubhouse. he revealed in “Pardon My Take.”
Wells explained that his slump continued after allowing six runs (four earned) in eight innings in a 7-2 loss to the Expos on August 30, 1997.
Wells said Steinbrenner was waiting for him in the locker room after the game and told the left-hander, “You’re not the pitcher I signed you to be,” and the argument gradually escalated from there.
Wells was outraged by what he felt was an unfair call by the umpire for a home run to right field, and claimed that a fan had leaned over the fence to snatch the ball from outfielder Paul O’Neill.
“Excuse me?” Wells replied. “Well, if you don’t like me, just trade me.”
Steinbrenner cheekily responded, “I tried, but nobody wants you,” a comment that angered Wells.
“It’s my dream to play for you, but if you’re a jerk, get out. I don’t want anything to do with it,” Wells said.
“Actually, I’m going to put ice on my shoulder, back and knee. When I come back, if you’re here, I’ll beat you up.”
The late Steinbrenner, then 67, stood his ground and retorted, “I’m not afraid of you.”
When Wells returned to the clubhouse, Steinbrenner was greeted with, “You’re still here, you son of a bitch!”, and he promptly ripped off all the ice packs and charged at Steinbrenner, forcing the owner out.
After the incident, Wells sobered up and expressed deep regret, claiming that he had acted in a threatening manner in the heat of the moment.
Two days later, at the next game, the two settled things.
But that was another story.
Wells answered a ringing phone in the clubhouse and greeted the caller, “Yankee Stadium, second base. How can I help you?”
When the caller spoke, Wells connected the dots: It was Steinbrenner.
Wells pretended not to know who was on the phone, which again infuriated Steinbrenner.
He yelled into the phone, “It’s George Steinbrenner, dammit!”
Wells was upset and later offered a sincere apology over the phone and in person.
At the end, Steinbrenner hugged Wells, kissed him on the cheek and said, “You’re my man.”
