David Wells sees Roger Clemens pitching at 45 years old and figures, “Why not me?”
Evidently, Wells won’t quit until the uniform is torn from his back.
The 44-year-old lefty arrived to the visitor’s clubhouse at Shea Stadium yesterday, a day after the Dodgers signed him for the rest of the season.
Wells is scheduled to make his Dodgers debut tomorrow night against the Mets.
“I still feel I have a lot left in the tank, and obviously I want to play in the postseason,” said Wells, who was released by the Padres last month. Wells was 5-8 with a 5.54 ERA.
As for his future, Wells, with his 235 career victories, is prepared to keep going if offered the opportunity. But he doesn’t envision his career ending in The Bronx, where he already has made two stops in his career, winning a World Series with the Yankees in 1998.
“I cut the cord with them in 2003 – you just don’t hang on,” Wells said, noting that he still considers many Yankees as friends.
Surprisingly, perhaps, that list includes Clemens, whom Wells has taken verbal shots at over the years, most recently when The Rocket re-launched with the Yanks this season.
Wells questioned the “family plan” that allows Clemens to return home to Houston on days he’s not pitching.
“I like Roger, I think he’s a great guy, a great teammate, he’s funny,” Wells said. “And he’s still a great [bleeping] pitcher. He can go out there and deal, and that’s great. I’ve never had a problem with him. I had a great time being a teammate with him and I wish him nothing but the best in his career and his decisions.
“I’m doing the same thing – I’m only a year behind him. We’re trying to get our age some support, turn some heads.”
But Wells said fences haven’t been mended with Joe Torre, with whom the lefty sparred during both his stints with the Yankees.
“Since the day I left I haven’t talked to him,” Wells said. “It was something I felt strongly that I didn’t think he respected me as a player. It’s tough, because Joe is a good manager and we just didn’t see eye to eye on a lot of things. He runs his clubhouse the way he runs it, and I respect that. But on the fifth day, that’s my clubhouse and he’s got to respect that.”
As for his future, Wells said he will go to spring training next season if the Dodgers make him an offer.
“San Diego would have been an ideal place, because that’s where I live,” Wells said. “But Los Angeles is right up the road. My goal is to keep this thing going and contribute as much as I can.”
mpuma@nypost.com