Gary Sheffield
Encyclopedia
Gary Antonian Sheffield (born November 18, 1968), nicknamed "Sheff", is an American retired Major League Baseball
outfielder
. He played for eight major league ball clubs from 1988 to 2009, primarily as an outfielder
.
, though he has also played left field
, third base
, shortstop
, and a handful of games at first base
. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers
, San Diego Padres
, Florida Marlins
, Los Angeles Dodgers
, Atlanta Braves
, New York Yankees
, Detroit Tigers
, and the New York Mets
. Sheffield was a first-round pick of the Brewers, who selected him sixth overall in the amateur draft after a standout prep career at Hillsborough High School in Tampa. He bats and throws right-handed.
At the start of the 2010 season
, Sheffield ranked second among all active players in walks
(1,475), third in runs
(1,636), fourth in RBIs
(1,676), fifth in hits
(2,689) and home run
s (509), and sixth in hit by pitch
es (135). Sheffield hit his 500th home run on April 17, 2009.
, and grew up in Belmont Heights, near the Ponce de Leon
projects. He and his family lived with his uncle, Dwight Gooden
, who would go on to become the ace pitcher for the New York Mets
. They played baseball frequently and Sheffield learned how to hit a fastball
from Gooden, who is only four years older than he is. Sheffield has publicly said that his grandfather had a significant positive impact on his life, influencing him as a person and as an athlete.
Sheffield was a good hitter in the Little Leagues, but his son is said to be a lot better coming out of Arizona. However, Sheffield had problems with his temper and attitude, which would continue in the Major Leagues. Once, when he was late to practice, his coach benched him and Sheffield picked up a bat and chased the coach all over the field, resulting in him being kicked off the team for a year. When Sheffield was eleven, he was selected to the Belmont Heights Little League All-Stars, which included future Chicago Cubs
#1 pick Ty Griffin, future Major Leaguer Derek Bell, and other future MLB players. The team made it to the Little League World Series
finals, but lost to Taiwan
4-3.
and third baseman
. During his senior year, his fastball reached the upper 80's and he frequently showed home run power. As a batter, Sheffield hit .500 and 15 home run
s, in only 62 official at-bats. At the end of the season he was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year
.
drafted Sheffield with the 6th pick of the first round of the 1986 MLB Draft
. After being drafted he was shipped to Helena
of the Pioneer League, where he dominated with a .365 batting average
and 71 RBI in only 57 games. The only question was what position
he would play. He was slotted at shortstop, but struggled at the position, committing many errors
and wild throws. In 1987, he was assigned to Stockton
of the Class-A California League
, where his defense improved and he produced at the plate. His batting average went below .300, but he still led the league in RBI with 103, and at the end of the year he was voted the Brewers best prospect. In his third season, he went from Double-A all the way to the majors. In 134 games for El Paso
and Denver, he batted .327 with 28 homers and 118 RBI and was considered ready for the majors.
he moved to shortstop. He got off to a fast start with his first career hit being a home run off Mark Langston
. After a great start, his numbers started to decline. He finished the season with only a .238 batting average and 4 home runs in 24 games. After a decline in play and several injuries, he found himself competing with Bill Spiers
in a race for starting shortstop. After this, he was moved to third base and criticized the team saying it was a black and white issue. At the end of the 1989 season, he only batted .247 with only 5 home runs and 32 RBI. In 1990, he had had a solid season thanks to the hiring of Don Baylor
as their hitting coach. He finished the season batting .294, but still only had 10 home runs. The Brewers thought they were finally getting the player they drafted in the first round, but there was still one concern: he was becoming a pain in the clubhouse, and went as far as accusing the organization of being racist after keeping him at third instead of playing him at shortstop where the white Bill Spiers played. In his final season with the Brewers, he injured his wrist, thumb, and shoulder, playing in only 50 games.
for Ricky Bones
, José Valentin
, and Matt Mieske
on March 26, 1992. Sheffield faced his uncle Dwight Gooden
for the first time in a Major League game on May 24, getting one hit in 3 at-bats. In this, his first All-Star
season, he contended for the Triple Crown
for much of the year; while he missed out on the home run (33, two fewer than the leader, teammate Fred McGriff
) and RBI (100, nine fewer than leader Darren Daulton
) titles, he did win the National League
batting title with a .330 average. The batting title is currently the only one of the nine in Padre history won by someone other than Tony Gwynn
.
In 1993, he started off what seemed to be a productive season with the Padres hitting 10 home runs and batting .295 but was unexpectedly traded midseason to the Florida Marlins
.
to the Florida Marlins
for Trevor Hoffman
, José Martínez
and Andres Berumen
. At first he wasn't thrilled about being traded to the expansion
Marlins, and would rather have played for a contending team like the Padres, but the Marlins offered some upside with their young talent. He finished the 1993 season hitting 10 home runs, batting .292 and knocking in 37 runs while with the Marlins, and was the starting third baseman in the All-Star Game
. At the end of the season, the Marlins gave him a four-year deal that made him the highest-paid player at the third base position. During the 1994 season, the Marlins moved him from third baseman to right field, where he showed great success with a rocket arm. Sheffield hit 112 home runs with the Marlins from 1994 to 1998, including 42 in 1996, making the All-Star Game in 1996, and leading them to victory in the 1997 World Series
against the Cleveland Indians
. He was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
in 1998 because the Marlins allegedly could not afford a contract extension and because the Dodgers parent company at the time, News Corporation
was looking to secure a television contract with the Marlins in exchange for trading massively popular Dodger Mike Piazza
.
, Charles Johnson, Bobby Bonilla
, and Jim Eisenreich
to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Mike Piazza
and Todd Zeile
. Sheffield finished the season with the Dodgers batting .316 and hitting 16 homers while driving in 57 runs. In 3½ seasons with the Dodgers, he hit 129 home runs and drove in 367 runs. He made three All-Star games while playing with the Dodgers and had become one of the best outfielders in the game. But during the offseason, he began lobbying for a trade because he thought the Dodgers were spending their money stupidly and sliding in the wrong direction, and publicly criticized coaches and teammates.
for Brian Jordan
, Odalis Perez
, and Andrew Brown. He spent two seasons with the Braves hitting 64 home runs and knocking in 216 RBI's including 132 in 2003. After two seasons with the Braves, he became a free agent
for the first time in his long career on October 27, 2003.
, he agreed to a deal with the New York Yankees
worth $39 million ($ today) over 3 years. This deal included $13.5 million in deferred money and a $13 million team option for 2007. He joined a lineup full of stars that included Derek Jeter
, Jason Giambi
and the newly acquired Alex Rodriguez
. In his first season with the Yankees, Sheffield started slow, but finished the season with 36 home runs, 121 RBI, and a .290 batting average, helping him finish second in the MVP voting at the end of the season, only behind Vladimir Guerrero
. In his second season with the Yankees, he continued to play well, hitting another 34 home runs and driving in 123 runs. Sheffield started the 2006 season strong, on pace for a .300 batting average and 30 homers, before he collided with Shea Hillenbrand
of the Toronto Blue Jays
on April 29, 2006. He tried to play in spite of the injury, but ultimately needed wrist
surgery. Sheffield didn't return until late September. He had lost his right fielding job to Bobby Abreu
, who the Yankees had acquired in a trade deadline transaction. The Yankees tried him at first base but with mixed results. Sheffield showed public distaste about the situation and claimed to be better than Abreu. His fiery personality also led him to have friction with other Yankees in the clubhouse despite his friendship with Alex Rodriguez. At the end of the 2006 season, the Yankees picked up his 2007 option and traded him.
for minor league pitchers Humberto Sánchez
, Kevin Whelan
, and Anthony Claggett
. After the trade, Sheffield agreed to a two-year $28 million extension. In his first season with the Tigers, he hit 25 home runs, with 75 RBI, and a .265 batting average. He also hit his first triple since 2004 and stole 20 bases for the first time since 1990. He was also one of only 6 batters in the AL
to have at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen base
s, along with Alex Rodriguez
, Grady Sizemore
, Ian Kinsler
, B.J. Upton and former teammate Curtis Granderson
.
On September 8, 2008 in a game against Oakland
, Sheffield hit the 250,000th regular season home run in Major League Baseball history, according to research by Baseball-Reference.com. The home run was a grand slam
off Gio Gonzalez
; Sheffield had hit baseball's 249,999th home run against Gonzalez in his previous at-bat. Despite a late season surge, Sheffield ended the 2008 season with 499 home runs.
On March 31, 2009, Sheffield was released by the Tigers despite owing him $14M. The Tigers said in a statement that they wanted to have more versatility with the DH position.
for the season, and he finalized the deal the following day. On April 17, Sheffield hit his 500th home run
in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers
, becoming the 25th player in MLB history to reach that milestone, the first player to achieve this as a pinch hitter, and the first to do so in a Mets uniform. Sheffield would also become the third player in Major League history to hit home runs before age 20 and after age 40, joining Ty Cobb
and Rusty Staub
. Sheffield sat out a game in August when the Mets declined to offer him a contract extension.
While he was younger, Sheffield and his uncle, former MLB player Dwight Gooden
, were arrested after fighting with police and resisting arrest in Tampa, Florida.
He's been very verbal about his need for sufficient financial compensation and respect, demanding better pay when he was with the Dodgers, and refusing to play in the inaugural World Baseball Classic
, saying "[his] season is when [he's] getting paid."
On April 14, 2005, a Red Sox
fan
leaned over the railing at Fenway Park
and swiped at Sheffield as he was going to field a ball hit by Jason Varitek
. After Sheffield took a swing at him with his glove, he threw the ball back into the infield, and then got into a verbal altercation with him. The fan, who was under the influence of alcohol, was ejected from Fenway Park and his 2005 season ticket
s were revoked. Sheffield was fined for the incident. Charges were dismissed against both the fan and Sheffield.
In the June 2007 issue of GQ Magazine, Sheffield (a Detroit Tiger at the time) was quoted saying that there are more Latin baseball players than black players because Latinos are easier to control:
During an July 2007 interview with HBO's Real Sports, Sheffield said that Yankees manager Joe Torre
treated black players differently than white players during his time there. He also said that he thought that biracial Yankees player Derek Jeter
wasn't "all the way black."
On September 19, 2008, Sheffield was hit by a pitch from Cleveland Indians
pitcher Fausto Carmona
and walked to first base. When Carmona threw to first base, he and Sheffield exchanged words and Sheffield charged the mound, attempting to tackle Carmona but was caught in a headlock and punched a few times on the top of his head by the young pitcher. leading to a bench-clearing brawl
. Carmona and Sheffield were both ejected, along with Indians catcher Víctor Martínez and Tigers second baseman Plácido Polanco
. On September 22, the commissioner's office announced four suspensions resulting from the brawl: Carmona was suspended for six games, Sheffield received a four-game suspension, and Martinez and Indians infielder Asdrubal Cabrera
each received three-game suspensions. Sheffield made statements after the suspension that the involved players from the Indians would be "penalized" by him as well.
in 2001, a cream was applied to Sheffield's knee by a trainer to help heal ripped stitches from a knee surgery. Sheffield states in his book, Inside Power, that he had no knowledge of the cream containing steroids, and had no reason to assume so at the time. He goes on to say in his book that the cream did nothing to strengthen his knee, and also states that a look at his numbers shows no improvement of his numbers after the incident.
On December 13, 2007, Sheffield was named in the Mitchell Report
as one of the players who had obtained and used steroids.
reside in Tampa, Florida
during the off-season. They have three sons: Jaden, Noah, and Christian. Sheffield has four other children from previous relationships: Ebony, Carissa, Gary Jr., and Garrett. DeLeon is a gospel recording artist and has sung the National Anthem at both the old Yankee Stadium and Dodger Stadium
. On October 1995, Sheffield was shot in his left shoulder after an attempted robbery when he stopped his car at a traffic light. He now is an assistant coach on his son's youth tackle football league in Tampa. He coaches on the TBYFL (Tampa Bay Youth Football Leagues) Nuccio Jaguars.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
. He played for eight major league ball clubs from 1988 to 2009, primarily as an outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
.
Biography
For most of his career, Sheffield has played right fieldRight fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
, though he has also played left field
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
, third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
, shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, and a handful of games at first base
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, and the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. Sheffield was a first-round pick of the Brewers, who selected him sixth overall in the amateur draft after a standout prep career at Hillsborough High School in Tampa. He bats and throws right-handed.
At the start of the 2010 season
2010 Major League Baseball season
The 2010 Major League Baseball season began Sunday, April 4, when the Boston Red Sox defeated their long-time rivals, the 2009 World Series champion New York Yankees at Fenway Park, 9–7; the regular season ended on October 3. The 2010 All-Star Game was played on July 13 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim...
, Sheffield ranked second among all active players in walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
(1,475), third in runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(1,636), fourth in RBIs
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
(1,676), fifth in hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
(2,689) and home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s (509), and sixth in hit by pitch
Hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:...
es (135). Sheffield hit his 500th home run on April 17, 2009.
Early life
Sheffield was born in Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, and grew up in Belmont Heights, near the Ponce de Leon
Ponce de León
-People:* Juan Ponce de León, a Spanish explorer of the Americas and first Governor of Puerto Rico* Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the son of Juan Ponce de León II, and early settler of Ponce, Puerto Rico...
projects. He and his family lived with his uncle, Dwight Gooden
Dwight Gooden
Dwight Eugene Gooden , nicknamed "Doc Gooden" or "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s.-Career:...
, who would go on to become the ace pitcher for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. They played baseball frequently and Sheffield learned how to hit a fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
from Gooden, who is only four years older than he is. Sheffield has publicly said that his grandfather had a significant positive impact on his life, influencing him as a person and as an athlete.
Sheffield was a good hitter in the Little Leagues, but his son is said to be a lot better coming out of Arizona. However, Sheffield had problems with his temper and attitude, which would continue in the Major Leagues. Once, when he was late to practice, his coach benched him and Sheffield picked up a bat and chased the coach all over the field, resulting in him being kicked off the team for a year. When Sheffield was eleven, he was selected to the Belmont Heights Little League All-Stars, which included future Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
#1 pick Ty Griffin, future Major Leaguer Derek Bell, and other future MLB players. The team made it to the Little League World Series
Little League World Series
The Little League Baseball World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 11 to 13 years old. It was originally called the National Little League Tournament and was later renamed for the World Series in Major League Baseball. It was first held in 1947 and is held every August in South...
finals, but lost to Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
4-3.
High school
In 1983, Sheffield made the Hillsborough High School varsity baseball team. During his junior year, he bulked up to 175 pounds and was a pitcherPitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
and third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
. During his senior year, his fastball reached the upper 80's and he frequently showed home run power. As a batter, Sheffield hit .500 and 15 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, in only 62 official at-bats. At the end of the season he was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year
Gatorade Player of the Year awards
The Gatorade Player of the Year awards are given annually to male and female high-school student-athletes in the United States. They are given for boys' baseball, boys' football, girls' softball, girls' volleyball, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, boys' cross country, girls' cross country,...
.
Minor Leagues
After high school, the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
drafted Sheffield with the 6th pick of the first round of the 1986 MLB Draft
1986 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1986 Major League Baseball Draft was the 22nd MLB draft that took place in 1986. During this draft, five all-stars were drafted in five different teams.-First round selections:...
. After being drafted he was shipped to Helena
Helena Brewers
The Helena Brewers are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League and are the Advanced Rookie League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Helena, Montana...
of the Pioneer League, where he dominated with a .365 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
and 71 RBI in only 57 games. The only question was what position
Baseball positions
There are 9 fielding positions in baseball. Each position conventionally has an associated number which is used to score putouts...
he would play. He was slotted at shortstop, but struggled at the position, committing many errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
and wild throws. In 1987, he was assigned to Stockton
Stockton Ports
The Stockton Ports are a baseball team in Stockton, California. The Ports play in the Northern Division of the Class A – Advanced California League and are a Minor League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Their home field is Banner Island Ballpark which seats over 5,000 people and opened in...
of the Class-A California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
, where his defense improved and he produced at the plate. His batting average went below .300, but he still led the league in RBI with 103, and at the end of the year he was voted the Brewers best prospect. In his third season, he went from Double-A all the way to the majors. In 134 games for El Paso
El Paso
El Paso, a city in the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.El Paso may also refer to:-Geography:Colombia:* El Paso, CesarSpain:*El Paso, Santa Cruz de TenerifeUnited States:...
and Denver, he batted .327 with 28 homers and 118 RBI and was considered ready for the majors.
Milwaukee Brewers
Sheffield was called up from the minors when rosters were expanded in September and made his major league debut on September 3, 1988. At first, the team used him as a third baseman and outfielder, but after an injury to Dale SveumDale Sveum
Dale Curtis Sveum is a former Major League Baseball player and the current manager of the Chicago Cubs.-Playing career:A talented athlete, Sveum was an All-State and All-American quarterback while attending Pinole Valley High School, in addition to being a fine baseball player...
he moved to shortstop. He got off to a fast start with his first career hit being a home run off Mark Langston
Mark Langston
Mark Edward Langston is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners , Montreal Expos , California and Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians...
. After a great start, his numbers started to decline. He finished the season with only a .238 batting average and 4 home runs in 24 games. After a decline in play and several injuries, he found himself competing with Bill Spiers
Bill Spiers
William James Spiers III is a former infielder in Major League Baseball who played primarily as a shortstop and third baseman from 1989-2001. He was also a punter for Clemson University. He was a first round draft pick in the 1987 amateur draft...
in a race for starting shortstop. After this, he was moved to third base and criticized the team saying it was a black and white issue. At the end of the 1989 season, he only batted .247 with only 5 home runs and 32 RBI. In 1990, he had had a solid season thanks to the hiring of Don Baylor
Don Baylor
Donald Edward Baylor is a Major League Baseball coach currently the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a former player and manager. During his 19-year playing career, he was a power hitter who played as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter...
as their hitting coach. He finished the season batting .294, but still only had 10 home runs. The Brewers thought they were finally getting the player they drafted in the first round, but there was still one concern: he was becoming a pain in the clubhouse, and went as far as accusing the organization of being racist after keeping him at third instead of playing him at shortstop where the white Bill Spiers played. In his final season with the Brewers, he injured his wrist, thumb, and shoulder, playing in only 50 games.
San Diego Padres
After 4 seasons of underperforming in Milwaukee and his numerous criticisms of coaches, the Brewers traded him to the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for Ricky Bones
Ricky Bones
Ricardo "Ricky" Bones is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who had a 10-year career from 1991 to 2001. He played for three National League teams - the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, and Florida Marlins - and four American League teams - the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, New York...
, José Valentin
José Valentín
José Antonio Valentín is a former Major League Baseball infielder, who played with the Milwaukee Brewers , Chicago White Sox , Los Angeles Dodgers , and New York Mets .-Early years:...
, and Matt Mieske
Matt Mieske
Matthew Todd Mieske is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks.-External links:...
on March 26, 1992. Sheffield faced his uncle Dwight Gooden
Dwight Gooden
Dwight Eugene Gooden , nicknamed "Doc Gooden" or "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s.-Career:...
for the first time in a Major League game on May 24, getting one hit in 3 at-bats. In this, his first All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
season, he contended for the Triple Crown
Triple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
for much of the year; while he missed out on the home run (33, two fewer than the leader, teammate Fred McGriff
Fred McGriff
Frederick Stanley McGriff is a left-handed former Major League Baseball player who starred for several teams from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s. A power-hitting first baseman with a tall, lanky build, the five-time All-Star became, in , the first player since the dead-ball era to lead both...
) and RBI (100, nine fewer than leader Darren Daulton
Darren Daulton
Darren Arthur Daulton , nicknamed Dutch, is a former catcher in Major League Baseball best remembered for his years with the Philadelphia Phillies...
) titles, he did win the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
batting title with a .330 average. The batting title is currently the only one of the nine in Padre history won by someone other than Tony Gwynn
Tony Gwynn
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Sr. , nicknamed Mr. Padre and Captain Video, is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the San Diego Padres...
.
In 1993, he started off what seemed to be a productive season with the Padres hitting 10 home runs and batting .295 but was unexpectedly traded midseason to the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
.
Florida Marlins
On June 24, 1993, he was traded along with Rich RodriguezRich Rodriguez (baseball)
Richard Anthony Rodriguez , a graduate of Mountain View High School in the city of El Monte, California, is a retired professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from -....
to the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
for Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...
, José Martínez
José Martínez (pitcher)
José Miguel Martínez Martínez is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He appeared in four games for the San Diego Padres in .- References :...
and Andres Berumen
Andres Berumen
Andres Berumen is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball in 1995-96 for the San Diego Padres....
. At first he wasn't thrilled about being traded to the expansion
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
Marlins, and would rather have played for a contending team like the Padres, but the Marlins offered some upside with their young talent. He finished the 1993 season hitting 10 home runs, batting .292 and knocking in 37 runs while with the Marlins, and was the starting third baseman in the All-Star Game
1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,...
. At the end of the season, the Marlins gave him a four-year deal that made him the highest-paid player at the third base position. During the 1994 season, the Marlins moved him from third baseman to right field, where he showed great success with a rocket arm. Sheffield hit 112 home runs with the Marlins from 1994 to 1998, including 42 in 1996, making the All-Star Game in 1996, and leading them to victory in the 1997 World Series
1997 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 18, 1997 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, FloridaThe first World Series game in the state of Florida, Game 1 featured a youngster and a veteran facing each other on the mound...
against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. He was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in 1998 because the Marlins allegedly could not afford a contract extension and because the Dodgers parent company at the time, News Corporation
News Corporation
News Corporation or News Corp. is an American multinational media conglomerate. It is the world's second-largest media conglomerate as of 2011 in terms of revenue, and the world's third largest in entertainment as of 2009, although the BBC remains the world's largest broadcaster...
was looking to secure a television contract with the Marlins in exchange for trading massively popular Dodger Mike Piazza
Mike Piazza
Michael Joseph "Mike" Piazza ; born September 4, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics....
.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On May 14, 1998, he was traded along with Manuel BarriosManuel Barrios
Manuel Antonio Barrios was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros and Florida Marlins. He pitched in 5 games during the 1997 & 1998 seasons.-External links:...
, Charles Johnson, Bobby Bonilla
Bobby Bonilla
Roberto Martin Antonio "Bobby" Bonilla is a former player in Major League Baseball who played from 1986 to 2001. Known in his playing days as "Bobby Bo," Bonilla is of Puerto Rican descent.-Playing career:...
, and Jim Eisenreich
Jim Eisenreich
James Michael Eisenreich is an American former Major League Baseball player with a 15-year career from 1982–1984 and 1987–1998. He played for the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals of the American League, and the Philadelphia Phillies, Florida Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers of the National...
to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Mike Piazza
Mike Piazza
Michael Joseph "Mike" Piazza ; born September 4, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics....
and Todd Zeile
Todd Zeile
Todd Edward Zeile is a former catcher, third baseman, and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1989 to . After graduating from UCLA, where he played as a catcher, Zeile played for 11 Major League teams during his career: the St...
. Sheffield finished the season with the Dodgers batting .316 and hitting 16 homers while driving in 57 runs. In 3½ seasons with the Dodgers, he hit 129 home runs and drove in 367 runs. He made three All-Star games while playing with the Dodgers and had become one of the best outfielders in the game. But during the offseason, he began lobbying for a trade because he thought the Dodgers were spending their money stupidly and sliding in the wrong direction, and publicly criticized coaches and teammates.
Atlanta Braves
On January 15, 2002, Sheffield was traded to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Brian Jordan
Brian Jordan
Brian O'Neal Jordan is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder and National Football League safety. In the NFL, he played for the Atlanta Falcons, while he played in the MLB for the St...
, Odalis Perez
Odalis Pérez
Odalis Amadol Pérez is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He played with the Atlanta Braves , the Los Angeles Dodgers , the Kansas City Royals , and the Washington Nationals ....
, and Andrew Brown. He spent two seasons with the Braves hitting 64 home runs and knocking in 216 RBI's including 132 in 2003. After two seasons with the Braves, he became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
for the first time in his long career on October 27, 2003.
New York Yankees
On December 19, 2003, after intense negotiations between Sheffield and George SteinbrennerGeorge Steinbrenner
George Michael Steinbrenner III was an American businessman who was the principal owner and managing partner of Major League Baseball's New York Yankees. During Steinbrenner's 37-year ownership from 1973 to his death in July 2010, the longest in club history, the Yankees earned seven World Series...
, he agreed to a deal with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
worth $39 million ($ today) over 3 years. This deal included $13.5 million in deferred money and a $13 million team option for 2007. He joined a lineup full of stars that included Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
, Jason Giambi
Jason Giambi
Jason Gilbert Giambi is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball.He was the American League MVP in 2000 while with the Oakland Athletics, and is a five-time All-Star who has led the American League in walks four times, in on base percentage...
and the newly acquired Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
. In his first season with the Yankees, Sheffield started slow, but finished the season with 36 home runs, 121 RBI, and a .290 batting average, helping him finish second in the MVP voting at the end of the season, only behind Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Alvino Guerrero is a free agent Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter.In , he was voted the American League MVP...
. In his second season with the Yankees, he continued to play well, hitting another 34 home runs and driving in 123 runs. Sheffield started the 2006 season strong, on pace for a .300 batting average and 30 homers, before he collided with Shea Hillenbrand
Shea Hillenbrand
Shea Matthew Hillenbrand is a professional baseball player who last played for the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League....
of the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
on April 29, 2006. He tried to play in spite of the injury, but ultimately needed wrist
Wrist
In human anatomy, the wrist is variously defined as 1) the carpus or carpal bones, the complex of eight bones forming the proximal skeletal segment of the hand;...
surgery. Sheffield didn't return until late September. He had lost his right fielding job to Bobby Abreu
Bobby Abreu
Bob Kelly "Bobby" Abreu , nicknamed "El Comedulce" and also "La Luche", is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim....
, who the Yankees had acquired in a trade deadline transaction. The Yankees tried him at first base but with mixed results. Sheffield showed public distaste about the situation and claimed to be better than Abreu. His fiery personality also led him to have friction with other Yankees in the clubhouse despite his friendship with Alex Rodriguez. At the end of the 2006 season, the Yankees picked up his 2007 option and traded him.
Detroit Tigers
On November 10, 2006, he was traded to the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for minor league pitchers Humberto Sánchez
Humberto Sánchez
Humberto A. Sánchez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball...
, Kevin Whelan
Kevin Whelan
Kevin J. Whelan is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
, and Anthony Claggett
Anthony Claggett
Anthony Paul Claggett is an American Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.-Career:...
. After the trade, Sheffield agreed to a two-year $28 million extension. In his first season with the Tigers, he hit 25 home runs, with 75 RBI, and a .265 batting average. He also hit his first triple since 2004 and stole 20 bases for the first time since 1990. He was also one of only 6 batters in the AL
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
to have at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s, along with Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
, Grady Sizemore
Grady Sizemore
Gradius "Grady" Sizemore III is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
, Ian Kinsler
Ian Kinsler
Ian Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
, B.J. Upton and former teammate Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
.
On September 8, 2008 in a game against Oakland
2008 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' season marked their 40th year in Oakland, California, after the franchise move from Kansas City, Missouri in 1968.-Potential free agents:...
, Sheffield hit the 250,000th regular season home run in Major League Baseball history, according to research by Baseball-Reference.com. The home run was a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
off Gio Gonzalez
Gio Gonzalez
Giovany A. Gonzalez is a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.-Early life:...
; Sheffield had hit baseball's 249,999th home run against Gonzalez in his previous at-bat. Despite a late season surge, Sheffield ended the 2008 season with 499 home runs.
On March 31, 2009, Sheffield was released by the Tigers despite owing him $14M. The Tigers said in a statement that they wanted to have more versatility with the DH position.
New York Mets
On April 3, Sheffield agreed to a deal with the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for the season, and he finalized the deal the following day. On April 17, Sheffield hit his 500th home run
500 home run club
In Major League Baseball , the 500 home run club is a term applied to the group of batters who have hit 500 or more regular-season home runs in their careers. On August 11, 1929, Babe Ruth became the first member of the club. Ruth ended his career with 714 home runs, a record which stood from 1935...
in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, becoming the 25th player in MLB history to reach that milestone, the first player to achieve this as a pinch hitter, and the first to do so in a Mets uniform. Sheffield would also become the third player in Major League history to hit home runs before age 20 and after age 40, joining Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
and Rusty Staub
Rusty Staub
Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
. Sheffield sat out a game in August when the Mets declined to offer him a contract extension.
Retirement
Sheffield did not play in 2010. Though he initially suggested he wanted to sign with a team for the 2011 season, he announced his retirement at the beginning of 2011 spring training.Highlights
- 9-time All-Star (1992–93, 1996, 1998–2000, 2003–05)
- 5-time Silver Slugger Award (1992, 1996, 2003–05)
- 1993 ESPYEspy-People:* Cecil Espy , American baseball player* Duane Espy, American baseball figure* James Pollard Espy , American meteorologist.* Mike Espy , American politician* William Gray Espy , American actor...
- Breakthrough Athlete - Led National League in batting average (.330) and total bases (323) in 1992
- Member of the 1997 World Series Champions Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
- Led National League in on-base percentage (.465) and OPS (1.090) in 1996
- Los Angeles Dodgers career leader in on-base percentage (.424), slugging percentage (.573), OPS (.998) and at-bats per home run (14.5)
- Holds Los Angeles Dodgers single-season record for at-bats per home run (11.7 in 2000)
- His Tampa team finished second in the 1980 Little League World SeriesLittle League World SeriesThe Little League Baseball World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 11 to 13 years old. It was originally called the National Little League Tournament and was later renamed for the World Series in Major League Baseball. It was first held in 1947 and is held every August in South...
- Is the first player to represent five different teams in the All-Star GameMajor League Baseball All-Star GameThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
. - Holds Florida Marlins franchise record for home runs in a season (42) in 1996
- Tied Paul O'Neill as the oldest player to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a season, at age 38 (2007)
- First player to hit at least 25 home runs for 6 different teams
- 25th player in MLB history to reach 500 home runs, and the first player to do so as a Met
- Had 8 seasons with 30 or more home runs
- One of 2 players in MLB history, along with Fred McGriff, to have 30 or more home runs in one season for 5 different teams (Los Angeles Dodgers [×3]; New York Yankees [×2]; Atlanta Braves [×1]; Florida Marlins [×1]; San Diego Padres [×1])
Controversy
Sheffield has often put himself in controversial situations with his confrontational attitude, which sometimes leads to remarks construed as offensive.While he was younger, Sheffield and his uncle, former MLB player Dwight Gooden
Dwight Gooden
Dwight Eugene Gooden , nicknamed "Doc Gooden" or "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s.-Career:...
, were arrested after fighting with police and resisting arrest in Tampa, Florida.
He's been very verbal about his need for sufficient financial compensation and respect, demanding better pay when he was with the Dodgers, and refusing to play in the inaugural World Baseball Classic
World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and created by Major League Baseball , the Major League Baseball Players Association , and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world...
, saying "[his] season is when [he's] getting paid."
On April 14, 2005, a Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
fan
Red Sox Nation
Red Sox Nation refers to the fans of the Boston Red Sox. The phrase "Red Sox Nation" was first coined by Boston Globe feature writer Nathan Cobb in an October 20, 1986, article about split allegiances among fans in Connecticut during the 1986 World Series between the Red Sox and the New York...
leaned over the railing at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
and swiped at Sheffield as he was going to field a ball hit by Jason Varitek
Jason Varitek
Jason Andrew Varitek is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox...
. After Sheffield took a swing at him with his glove, he threw the ball back into the infield, and then got into a verbal altercation with him. The fan, who was under the influence of alcohol, was ejected from Fenway Park and his 2005 season ticket
Season ticket
A season ticket is a ticket that grants privileges over a defined period of time.-Sport:In sport, a season ticket grants the holder access to all regular-season home games for one season without additional charges. The ticket usually offers a discounted price over purchasing a ticket for each of...
s were revoked. Sheffield was fined for the incident. Charges were dismissed against both the fan and Sheffield.
In the June 2007 issue of GQ Magazine, Sheffield (a Detroit Tiger at the time) was quoted saying that there are more Latin baseball players than black players because Latinos are easier to control:
During an July 2007 interview with HBO's Real Sports, Sheffield said that Yankees manager Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
treated black players differently than white players during his time there. He also said that he thought that biracial Yankees player Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
wasn't "all the way black."
On September 19, 2008, Sheffield was hit by a pitch from Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
pitcher Fausto Carmona
Fausto Carmona
Fausto C. Carmona is a right-handed pitcher for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. Carmona made his major league debut with the Indians on April 15, 2006...
and walked to first base. When Carmona threw to first base, he and Sheffield exchanged words and Sheffield charged the mound, attempting to tackle Carmona but was caught in a headlock and punched a few times on the top of his head by the young pitcher. leading to a bench-clearing brawl
Bench-clearing brawl
A bench-clearing brawl, sometimes known as a basebrawl or a rhubarb, is a form of ritualistic fighting that occurs in sports, most notably baseball and ice hockey, in which every player on both teams leave their dugouts, bullpens, or benches and charge the playing area in order to fight one...
. Carmona and Sheffield were both ejected, along with Indians catcher Víctor Martínez and Tigers second baseman Plácido Polanco
Plácido Polanco
Plácido Enrique Polanco is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies and has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. He is a third baseman, but in the past has played second base and shortstop...
. On September 22, the commissioner's office announced four suspensions resulting from the brawl: Carmona was suspended for six games, Sheffield received a four-game suspension, and Martinez and Indians infielder Asdrubal Cabrera
Asdrúbal Cabrera
Asdrúbal José Cabrera is a switch-hitting infielder for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.After coming up through the Seattle Mariners organization, he was acquired by the Indians on June 30, 2006, in exchange for Eduardo Perez...
each received three-game suspensions. Sheffield made statements after the suspension that the involved players from the Indians would be "penalized" by him as well.
Steroid allegations
During a workout with Barry BondsBarry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
in 2001, a cream was applied to Sheffield's knee by a trainer to help heal ripped stitches from a knee surgery. Sheffield states in his book, Inside Power, that he had no knowledge of the cream containing steroids, and had no reason to assume so at the time. He goes on to say in his book that the cream did nothing to strengthen his knee, and also states that a look at his numbers shows no improvement of his numbers after the incident.
On December 13, 2007, Sheffield was named in the Mitchell Report
Mitchell Report (baseball)
The Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball, informally known as the "Mitchell Report", is the result of former Democratic United States Senator from Maine...
as one of the players who had obtained and used steroids.
Personal
He and his wife DeLeonDeleon Richards
Deleon Richards is an American gospel singer. She is the wife of baseball player Gary Sheffield. DeLeon Richards was a child star in the gospel music industry...
reside in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
during the off-season. They have three sons: Jaden, Noah, and Christian. Sheffield has four other children from previous relationships: Ebony, Carissa, Gary Jr., and Garrett. DeLeon is a gospel recording artist and has sung the National Anthem at both the old Yankee Stadium and Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
. On October 1995, Sheffield was shot in his left shoulder after an attempted robbery when he stopped his car at a traffic light. He now is an assistant coach on his son's youth tackle football league in Tampa. He coaches on the TBYFL (Tampa Bay Youth Football Leagues) Nuccio Jaguars.
See also
- List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
- List of major league players with 2,000 hits
- List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
- List of Major League Baseball batting champions
- List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences
External links
- cnn.com Sports Illustrated Interview