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Wells disagrees with Clemens’ special treatment

Allowing pitcher to avoid travel, ‘not the Yankee way’, lefty says

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updated 3:17 a.m. ET May 8, 2007

The New York Yankees are certainly thrilled to have Roger Clemens back in the fold — too thrilled, some seem to think.

David Wells, another 40-something pitcher and former Yankees teammate, told the Florida Sun-Sentinel that he thinks it's wrong that the Yankees are giving Clemens special treatment, including not making the right-hander travel with the team if he is not scheduled to pitch.

"I don't think I would ever do it because of the fact I personally think it would disrespect the team and your teammates," the San Diego Padres left-hander told the newspaper. "You look at the other players. How are they going to respect you? What are they going to think if you're not there pulling for the team?"

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Wells' teammate Greg Maddux was more genial than Wells, but also said he would not consider taking part in such a deal himself.

"I can't imagine doing that," Maddux said, the Sun-Sentinel reported. "I like the game. I like the atmosphere. I appreciate what it has to offer. I want to play the whole year."

The Yankees, however, were desperate for pitching, and apparently willing to bend their rules to snair Clemens.

"That's not the Yankee way," Wells told the paper, shaking his head. "The Yankees have changed."

Maddux was less concerned.

"More power to him," Maddux said. "Whatever. It's Roger Clemens. Let him be happy. Maybe he'll help the Yankees win some more games."

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