Wells Backs Jeter’s No-Party Line

David Wells can’t believe Derek Jeter’s work ethic is being questioned.

Wells, a veteran of New York nightlife, read the comments by New York Yankee owner George Steinbrenner and found both the statements and the widespread coverage in New York to be out of line.

“That was blown way out of proportion,” Wells said Friday. “Derek is not a party guy. He’s not out there every night. Trust me.”

In December comments to the New York Daily News, Steinbrenner said: “How much better would he be if he didn’t have all his other activities? I tell him this all the time....”

Jeter said the criticism was unfair and is angry that when he said he didn’t feel any need to change his lifestyle, the Daily News ran a back page headline that blared: PARTY ON.

Wells, similar to Yankee Manager Joe Torre, said he thinks the comments were an attempt by Steinbrenner to motivate Jeter. To Wells, Steinbrenner was frustrated that Jeter’s production tailed off.

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An arrest warrant was issued for Jose Canseco for violating his probation stemming from a nightclub brawl at Miami.

Circuit Judge Leonard E. Glick issued the warrant after being told Canseco has failed to begin community service, take anger control classes and not leave Florida for longer than 30 days. Those were among the conditions of his probation

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A former flight attendant who said she was sexually harassed by Detroit Tiger players on a team flight in 2000 was awarded $200,000 by a federal jury. Lisa Kesner, 38, of Lima, Ohio, filed a federal lawsuit in May 2001 against the Tigers, three holding companies and Olympia Aviation, which handled charter flights for the Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings.

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Kevin Millar was returned to the Florida Marlins after the Japanese team he agreed to sign with last month released him from his contract. Florida is expected to trade him to the Boston Red Sox soon.... Baltimore pitcher Sidney Ponson avoided arbitration by signing a one-year contract for a guaranteed $4.25 million.... The Kansas City Royals won their arbitration case with center fielder Carlos Beltran, who will make $6 million this season instead of the $6.95 million he sought.... Syd Thrift was hired as a major league consultant by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.