Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 43

SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 1993 THE DETROIT NEWS 3E Wells signs with Tigers, lured by assurance he'll star I do or put a player on the disabled list. The only candidate for the latter, because of his pulled groin muscle, is Alan Trammell. Terms of the agreement were not announced, but it is believed the Tigers signed Wells for $1.5 million. Counting the $512,000 owed to him by the Blue Jays, he will now make the same salary he was going to make, had the Jays not cut him. The 29-year-old.

lefty has started and relieved in his career, but prefers starting to such an extent that he got into an ugly disagreement with Manager Cito Gaston concerning his dual role last year. Of Wells' 41 appearances in 1992, only 14 were starts. As much as Wells and Gaston didn't get along, however, Wells and Sparky Anderson do. "That's another of my big reasons for signing with the Tigers," he said. "Even as an opposing player, I've climbed to 239.

Anderson foresees no problems, though. "I like characters," he said. "They can do what they want as long as they live by my rules. The guys who are too serious about this game keep it inside them until they explode." Sparky has never professed a great love for characters before this. But if it's a lefty who can pitch, if it's a lefty good enough to go straight into his rotation, then a few quirks are easier to take.

i There were two seasons in which Wells was used primarily as a starter by Toronto. He was 10-5 with a 3.11 eamed-run average as a starter in 1990, and 14-10 with a 3.75 ERA in 1991. Last year, though, he dropped to 6-7 with a 6.39 ERA as a starter. Anderson said about his pitching staff, "I feel a lot better about it than I did before. I think we have a chance always been able to talk with Sparky.

I didn't have that with Cito." The origin of the friendship between Wells and Anderson was Wells' rookie season (1987) with Toronto. "I think I was hitting fungoes, or something like that," Sparky said, "and I said something to him as he walked past, something like 'I've heard of you. You can't sneak past me. You throw hard, don't "That's how it started. We've talked almost every time the two teams have played since.

I've been lucky like that with some of my conversations with young players." Wells, at first glance, is not a stereotypical Anderson player. He wears two earrings and is careless about his weight. When he reported to spring training at 235 pounds this year, the Jays told him to get down to 225. By the last weigh-in, he had to get in it now." The addition of Wells gives the Tigers two right-handers (Mike Moore and John Doherty) and two lefties (Wells and Bill Krueger) in their rotation. Bill Gullickson is on the disabled list, due to return by May 1.

Around the horn It wasn't the way he wanted it to be, but Sparky finally met Darrin Jackson, the outfielder the Tigers pursued all spring. Jackson, eventually traded by the Padres to the Blue Jays, introduced himself to Anderson before Saturday night's game between the Jays and Tigers. Extensive work was done on the dirt areas of the field at B.C. Place after the Mariners-Brewers game, which preceded the Tigers and Jays. The Mariners angrily blamed the field for Edgar Martinez's pulled hamstring, an injury which could keep him out six weeks.

By Tom Gage THE DETROIT NEWS VANCOUVER, B.C. On a pitching staff like the Tigers', there is always room for one more. At least more. So they signed ex-Blue Jay David Wells to a one-year contract Saturday night before losirig to Toronto 2-1, and promptly put him into their starting rotation. "That's one of the big reasons I decided on the Tigers," said Wells, who was released by the Jays earlier this week, but was pursued by several teams.

"I wanted to start, and they told me up front that's my role." Wells becomes the Tigers' fourth starter, with lefty Tom Bolton going the bullpen. To make room, which they haven't yet done, the Tigers either must option a pitcher to Tole David Wells will be the Tigers' fourth starter, with lefty Tom Bolton going to the bullpen. ALLlifnScS JLU virrn Taking a mini-tour of A.L.'s cities 1 mi. I' mmmmm rani) Impressions of the American League: Oakland: This is the shabbiest town of all, with garages, warehouses, gas tanks, broken-down houses and vacant lots all around the ball park. It i TQ WHEN YOU CUY 4 GZItXllAL GEN-SEALS On HYDRO 2000 STEEL BELTED RADIALS is very depressing because you know people have to live in this neighborhood.

It is not the safest place to be. The curious thing is that the A'slook so colorful in iheir yellow and Preen uniforms. Everything out-'gideisgray. Not ECONOMY IMPORT RADIAL 155R12 JOE FALLS 145R13 155R13 165R13 17570R13 18570R13 18570R14 19570R14 IfESSH stfS Will A llp-pi 'wear vmt! njJ-' tibtL jdr Maximum wet handling Better Better WtitytWy lfCf? Stitf'U Treadwaar 32 Better than Aquatred ECONOMY RADIAL WHT. out WOfto HYDRO 2000 lefl Omirnix Ore Onem SBM I rS7sys- P15580R13 P16580R13 P18575R14 P19575R14 P20575R14 P21575R15 P23575R15 50,000 MILE ALL SEASON DUAL STEEL RADIAL WHITES mm seats, the hassle at immigration.

How nice to get a chair in the parlor car and travel as they did in the old days. Some wonderful meals are served on the 412-hour trip. Best of all, it is safe to walk the streets, and they are so well kept. If I could work anywhere else, it would be in this city. Kansas City: Another open-air furnace in the summer but I like it, because of its tradition.

The old brick buildings, the stockyards, the juicy steaks. The hotel Westin Crown Center is as fine as any in the league. Not the fanciest; just great service. It is the first place I ever knew where the maids folded the toilet paper to a point when they cleaned up your room. I never get tired of looking at the water fountain in Royals Stadium.

So cool. So calming. So relaxing. Boston: This is like San Francisco, a little on the overrated side. There is plenty to do but the downtown sector seems surprisingly dirty.

I try not to pay attention since I love the cobblestone streets and the red brick buildings. Where else can you see Quincy Market, North Church and Bunker Hill and eat that great roast pork at Durgin Park, where you sit around tables with people you don't even know. Of course, I could die happy looking out at the left-field wall in Fenway Park, though our view is now blocked in their awkward new press box. New York: The first thing I do when I get to my old home town is call my wife on the phone and tell her how much I hate being here. Big, hot, dirty, impersonal, impolite, crowded, dangerous.

I wonder how I lived here for 25 years, but I did and I enjoyed it. But then, the subways, streets, elevators, back alleys everything was safe. You could walk around Manhattan at two o'clock in the morning and not fear a thing. Now you'd better take a taxi everywhere and never walk anywhere after 10 at night. Baltimore: Another favorite and not just because the downtown area around the harbor has been fixed up.

I liked it even when it was run-down. That was just Baltimore: old and shabby but traditional. The people seemed so friendly. They all spoke like Al Kaline, with that Maryland accent, and I found it fetching. Cleveland: Very depressing, I suppose, but I have always liked it probably because it was so close to Detroit.

It's more than that, though. It is the longtime rivalry between the Tigers and Indians, and I cannot see a game here without thinking of Bob Feller, Early Wynn, Bob Lemon, Lou Boudreau, Bobby Avila, Luke Easter, Lary Doby and even George Strickland, the light-hitting shortstop. One day we even drove out to see where old League Park used to be. Milwaukee: Maybe the most ordinary town of all, with a ball park that creates exactly no emotions in you. But again, I like it.

The hotel is old and friendly, and so are the people. I have always enjoyed Bud Selig, owner of the Brewers, coming into the press box and kibitzing with GEN-SEAL SELF-SEAL STEEL BELT RADIALS Anwrlct's Most Advanced Salt Sealing 71 ra Ultra Pramlum Quality Mud A Snow Rated Newly Designed for O.E. Excellent Traction 4 Month FREE Replacement On Road Hazard ft Workamanahlp Soft, Smooth Ride Whltewalla 80,000 MILE pXS' ALL NEW "HYDRO 2000" WATER REPELLANT RADIALS HydroChanneT" help reduce the risk of hydroplaning Mud and anow rated for all-eeaeon performance "Better treadwear and maximum wet and consumer dry handling than Goodyear Aquatred." 60-Month Tread Wearout Limited Warranty Speed-rated tor apeeda of up to 1l2mphor ISO Kph. LU FREE P15580R13 P16580R13 P17580R13 P18575R14 P19575R14 P20575R14 P20575R15 P22575R15 P23575R15 P18570R14 P20570R14 ECON. PERFORMANCE RADIAL P18570R14 P19570R14 P20570R14 P21570R14 P20570R15 P21570R15 P22570R15 80,000 MILE P18570SR14 P19570SR14 P20570SR14 P20565SR15 P20570SR15 P21570SR15 a FREE U.S.

boVd BOND fcven the hotel where the Tigers stay is considered safe. In fact, I've always wondered why Oakland is even in the Jeague. The fans must come from far away to see the games. Anaheim: It is always strange to leave your hotel and see Disneyland fight across the street. There it is, just a few yards away, so why don't you go in? Search me, but I never do.

Another strange thing is that the streets always seem to be baking in sun. The heat shimmers up and all you want to do is return to your 'air-conditioned room. Seattle: I can't believe how hilly it is. Just like San Francisco. You can walk only one way down.

If you go jlown to the wharf, and there isn't tnuch else to do, you have to take a back. I like the smell of the water Jand remember the time we took the ferry over to Bremerton and stood on deck of the U.S.S. Missouri, Jvhere Gen. MacArthur accepted the surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II. The Kingdome is built of gray concrete and is foreboding.

Minneapolis: This is a lot ter, sunny but cool, with clean streets and fine stores within walking dis- Jance of the downtown hotel. I keep saying we're going to rent a car, drive 5nto the country and look at the lakes Jmt we haven't done it yet. There are Jio special sights to see in town but doesn't seem to matter because bf the cleanliness. of Chicago: Everything is worth- Jvhile just because of Michigan Ave- tiue. If I am jealous of anything in Ihis country, it's that Chicago has Such a fine boulevard to stroll and shop and we don't.

Nothing is better jthan to go window shopping on a ipring day. Sometimes the wind Wows too hard and musses your hair ut there are so many restaurants along the way that you can always Jiuck into one and have a good meal. JI Arlington: The Rangers' home is a lot like Anaheim. It's usually so liot you don't want to leave the hotel, you can walk to the ball park it's fight next to the hotel but even that isn't very appealing because the hall park is so shabby. The new one Jvill be a welcome addition, but until ihey can do something about the awesome humidity, it won't matter.

Toronto: Love to take the train from Windsor. What a relief to get away from the airplanes: the jam at I the terminal, the crowding in the P17570SR13 P21570SR14 P19560SR14 P21560SR14 P19560SR15 P23560SR15 P21560SR15 mMij.mi...jmji.iPiL M.ii,i i ii-ut' ji; i 'pi Vaal ECONOMY LIGHT TRUCK 750.1 6D 800x1 6.5D 875x1 6.5D 950x1 6.5D 12x1 6.5D 8x14.5D 8X17.5D 23585x1 6D SPORT IMPORT 1000 STEEL RADIAL SERIES Designed for Sport Cars Europeana Tread Design Excellent Traction, Response and Handling COBRA GT RATED RADIAL PERFORMERS Tested to 112 MPH Aggressive Black Tread Low Noise, Smooth Ride Raised White Utters MS Designed for All-Sea son Application CS24 PREMIUM 70 SERIES STEEL BELTED RADIALS 70.000 mill mill mnwl limited mmiriy' Onlgmd lo dtsperu water tor Hcmwd trydraplanino arotectloa Engineered lo entimce directional control led Smile driving He-lllty Mud-tnd-nw riled lor tll-niin pertormintl eed-rilid lo pravlda euilim hindlinj it ill legal speeds BOYD'S BY CRAGAR CRAGAR ASTRO M00 P17570SR13 P19S70SR13 P19570SR14 P22570SR15 P23570SR15 P19560SR14 P21560SR14 P23S60SR15 P27S60SR15 P21560SR16 P22560SR16 155R12 16570TR13 17570TR13 18570TR13 17570TR14 18570TR14 19570TR14 20570TR14 18560SR14 19560SR15 2056OSR15 21S65SR15 Cobra OT P18570R14 P19570R14 P20570R14 P21570R14 P20570R15 P21570R15 P22570R15 BOYD'S BY CRAGAR 213 SERIES 15x8 5 ON 5 74" VfeyfV- 9 113 SERIES 15x7 5 ON 5 C9" 15x75 0N5Vt 58" 7 t-r; amn MANGEL'S 89 SERIES BOYD'S BY CRAGAR STEEL-TECH AQUATRED STEEL RADIAL XGT4 STEEL RADIAL Ameri -k Sport ,99 MANGEL'S as SERIES 14x6 5 ON 100 MM 72" 14x6 5 ON 100 MM 99" 4" 200 SERIES 14x6 4 4 59" 235 B5R16 ASR L.R.D. 215 85R16 RS4 L.R.D. 165SR13 BLACK P19570R14 BLACK P18570R14 BLACK cw REPLACEMENT American League Probable I 1992 I 1992 vs opp. I Last 3 games "Teams Pitchers W-L, EP W-L IP EP W-L IP ER Detroit at M.

Moore (R) 0-0 0.0 O.OC 0-0 0-0 0-0 Oakland, 11:05 Welch (R) 1-2 18.0 4.50 0-0 0-0 0-0 at Lefferts(U) 0-0 0.0 O.OC 0-0 0-0 0-0 'Baltimore, 1:05 Sutcliffe(R) 16-15, 4.47 1-2 18.1 5.89 0-0 0-0 0-0 "New York at Key(L) 0-0 7.0 5.14 0-0 0-0 0-0 Cleveland, 1:35 Nagy(R) 3-0 26.1 1.37 0-0 0-0 0-0 Boston at Clemens (R) 1-0 9.0 0.00 0-0 0-0 0-0 Kansas City, 2:35 Appier (R) 15-8 2.46 2-0 22.1 2.01 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 'National League Probable I 1992 I 1992 vs opp. Last 3 games Pitchers W-L, EP W-L IP EP W-L IP ER at D. Martinez(R) 1-0 8.0 2.25 0-0 0-0 0-0 'Cincinnati, 2:05 Rijo (R) 1-1 24.0 1.50 0-0 0-0 0-0 Angeles at Hershiser(R) 0-0 0.0 0.0C 0-0 0-0 0-0 Florida, 2:05 Hough (R) 0-0 0.0 O.OC 0-0 0-0 0-0 Colorado at Nied(R) 1-0 7.0 1.29 0-0 0-0 0-0 'jvew York, 2:10 Gooden (R) 10-13, 3.67 0-0 0.0 O.OC 0-0 0-0 0-0 "Atlanta at G. Maddux (R) 0-0 0.0 O.OC 0-0 0-0 0-0 Chicago, 2:20 Morgan (R) 0-0 SO 0.00 0-0 0-0 0-0 jPhiladelphia tVMhollandlL) 1-2 28.1 4.13 0-0 0-0 0-0 Houston, 7:35 OMbek(R) 3-1 3.54 0-0 0-0 0-0 TMONROEF GAS-MATIC SHOCKS OR GAS-MATIC STRUTS ANN ARBOR 3250 Carpenter at Packard Shopping Ctt. DETROIT 6400 Tirwiian 1 Blk oILrvwitois DETROfT-WESTSIDE 14595 LtvemeU FRASER 3100 Groestcck at 13 Mile Rd GARDEN CfTY 33535 Ford Rd.

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