Yankees’ David Wells defends Brian Cashman, calls out players in Old-Timers’ Day rant

“It always seems that the GM and managers are getting fired and blamed,” Wells said. “If I was the GM, I would start sending a message. I don’t care who it is. If he’s in the stink hole, send that son of a gun to Triple-A or Double-A and send him a wake-up call. I don’t care how much money they’re making. Send a message to them and let them go sit down there and think about it.”

Wells proceeded to criticize the Yankees’ clubhouse culture, as well as their usage of analytics — something that’s “ruining the game.” The three-time All-Star and two-time World Series winner thinks the Yankees have a great team with plenty of talent, but they don’t have the camaraderie necessary to win.

“I go into clubhouses, guys have their headphones on, they’re hiding in the back room,” Wells said. “If somebody walked into my clubhouse, the first thing I did is introduce myself, can I get a signed ball and how’d you get this guy out? I ask questions. And these guys don’t ask questions. This is analytics.

“These guys don’t have free will to be themselves and try to find their own identity. They’re having an identity brought to them. There’s a game plan. Our game plan was go out there and win. How are we going to do it? Best nine guys are gonna play.”...

And before Wells was pulled away to gather with his former teammates for the on-field ceremony: “It’s such a different world, it’s why everyone should carry a gun. I do!”