Tuesday, May 19, 1998

Perfect for an average guy

David Wells is not a giraffe, nor is he an improbable mound of muscle, nor does he throw tantrums. What he does is throw a baseball, and Sunday he did it as well as only 14 other pitchers in 118 years of major league history.

He threw a perfect game: 27 batters, 27 outs. No hits, walks or errors. Each batter struck, flied or grounded out.

What made Wells' feat so special is that more fans can relate to him than some improbable kid role model.

The Yankees' pitcher is middle-aged, about to turn 35. He is balding and hefty, has more than a trace of beer gut and has in fact been known to have a beer or two more than is good for him. He has a tattoo and a ragged mustache. He has on occasion been in hot water with his employer. He takes his craft seriously but not himself. He may not be totally like the rest of us, but he is someone we all know.

If Greg Maddux, the Braves pitcher who is the best in this baseball generation, looks like the guy who does your taxes, Wells, who has done what Maddux has not, looks like the guy who fixes your transmission. Let's hear it for real people.