Vernon Wells should gain from playing on left field position
Vernon Wells will be looking to make the most of his career with his new team. The centre fielder, who was recently traded to the Los Angeles Angels by the Toronto Blue Jays, is looking at a new opportunity with the California
based ball club. The outfielder has the chance to make his mark with a club that could make its way to the playoffs, this year. The club is strong and it could give the Texas Rangers a tough competition in the coming season, which starts in April.
Wells has an option to opt out of his contract after the 2011 season, but that does not scare the management at his new team. The reason being that the Angels’ Anaheim stadium has a natural grass field that does not draw similarities
from most clubs on the east side of the American League.
The artificial grass in Toronto could put any player to the test. The challenge is reminiscent of Andre Dawson’s struggle. The Chicago Cubs’ legend was part of Montreal’s roster for 10 years before moving over to the West side
at Wrigley Field. Over there, he settled as the club’s right outfielder and mustered an extraordinary performance between the age of 35 and 37. In addition, he was awarded the 1987 National League Most Valuable Player trophy at the age of 32.
Wells is also 32 and it only means there is potential to register a constructive season this year with the Angels. Whatever the potential may be, his inclusion in the roster means manager Mike Scioscia is going to be at an advantage
for his selection for the three top fielders in the exterior pitch. Wells and Torii Hunter have something in common and that is their general position. However, they will not be playing in the same spot as young prospect Peter Bourjos will be featuring in
that position.
For Wells, that does not matter as he is looking forward to some adjustment with the help of Hunter. The two players know each other well through their affiliation in charity work. With Torii in the right field, Bourjos on centre
field and Wells coming in on the left side, Angels would be the toughest team to beat in the outfield.
Torii is expecting to see Vernon join the group and he is someone he compares to his personal hero, Andre Dawson.
"Andre had a huge influence on me with the way he played the game - his aggressive, all-out style," Hunter said. "You could tell the man loved to play and was a fierce competitor, and that's how I've always tried to be. I even
copied his batting stance when I was a kid, before I found my own. I heard about how great he was in Montreal, and how that artificial turf in the Expos' park he played in for 10 years messed up his knees. I can relate to what he went through, now that I've
moved from the artificial turf in Minnesota to the natural surface, God's green grass, in Southern California with the Angels.
"It makes a huge difference over the course of the season. I used to feel so beat up playing on that carpet. It tells you a lot about Andre Dawson that he was able to get through that, get to Wrigley Field as a free agent, and
show his stuff when he won the NL MVP award in 1987. If anybody had any doubts about him being a Hall of Fame player that should have taken care of them."
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