By JOHN DELCOS
The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News

TAMPA, Fla. - David Wells always said a hot night in May of 1998 molded his career.

New York Yankees manager Joe Torre pulled him from a game in Texas after Wells blew a big lead, questioning the left-hander's conditioning and intensity. Wells criticized his manager for not having faith in him. From then on, Wells repeatedly pointed to that game, saying he was always prepared to pitch - until he wrote his upcoming autobiography, Perfect I'm Not! Boomer on Beer, Brawls, Backaches and Baseball.

The book, which is being published by William Morrow, a subsidiary of News Corp., which also owns The New York Post, which printed excerpts from the book quoting Wells saying he pitched his perfect game, May 17, 1998, against Minnesota with a hangover. Wells also said up to 40 percent of the players in the game are on steroids and took a jab at Roger Clemens, with whom his relationship has always been cool.

"As of this writing, 15 men in the history of organized baseball have ever thrown a perfect game," Wells wrote. "Only one of those men did it half-drunk, with bloodshot eyes, monster breath and a raging, skull-rattling hangover. That would be me."

The night before, said Wells, he was drinking at a "Saturday Night Live" cast party.

Wells, who did not pitch in the Yankees' exhibition opener Thursday, made an early exit from Legends Field. He is scheduled to start Friday against Philadelphia.

Torre said he doesn't remember Wells showing up to pitch that day with a hangover, and neither did general manager Brian Cashman or pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre.

"Nothing surprises me with Boomer," Torre said. "We always knew he was a cartoon character."

The release of Wells' book, April 1, comes on the heels of his revelation that his treatment for an irregular heartbeat in 1996 while with Baltimore was because of the use of the supplement ephedrine, which he still uses on an occasional basis.

Wells has said this will be his last season.

A call to Wells' agent, Gregg Clifton, was not returned.

Wells also wrote, "I'd estimate 25 to 40 percent of all major leaguers are juiced, but that number's fast rising," and amphetamines are common to the point where a player can "walk 10 feet in any direction, chances are you'll find what you need."

Wells was critical of Clemens when the Yankees traded him to Toronto for the future Hall of Famer prior to the 1999 season, but has since claimed to have made his peace with him.

However, his statement that "a huge percentage of this team hates Clemens' guts," will undoubtedly raise more questions.