Gary Sheffield News: Pro Sports Daily

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September 22

New York Post

columnist Kevin Kernan

"GARY Sheffield is coming back for one more year of baseball. The man who has never been afraid to fight is going to come back in fighting shape. He's going to train with boxer Winky Wright and get down to about 210 pounds. His goal, he said, is to play 150 games. He's not closing the door on the Mets -- they'll have to close it on him, and that's probably going to happen. If it does, he could land with one of the Mets' biggest rivals, a return engagement with the Marlins. If not the Marlins, the Tampa native would love to sign with the Rays or even the Astros or Rangers. Sheffield could become a thorn in the Mets' or Yankees' sides in 2010. A lot of people don't like Sheffield because ..."

Sheff coming 'back'

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September 11

New York Post

"In a surprising revelation, Gary Sheffield might return this season. Last Sunday, manager Jerry Manuel said that Sheffield, who has been suffering from back spasms, was unlikely to come back this year. "I would say he's pretty close to being out," Manuel said. But Sheffield's back apparently has improved. Though the 40-year-old hasn't played since Aug. 28, he resumed batting practice yesterday and said that he felt OK. Sheffield said he would see how he feels today but could potentially play this weekend versus the Phillies. Manuel, for his part, said yesterday that Sheffield can return this year if there are no setbacks. The Mets have 23 games remaining. Sheffield, who will be a free ..."

Gary Sheffield, Carlos Delgado doubtful to return this season

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September 7

New York Daily News

"Any Met fans still holding their breath to see Gary Sheffield or Carlos Delgado back in the middle of the lineup should stop. Jerry Manuel is doubtful either injured slugger will play again this season. When asked about Sheffield, the manager said, "I don't foresee him playing." And he described Delgado as "pretty close to being out" for the rest of the season. That would also mean their tenure as Mets is probably over. Each becomes a free agent after this season. Sheffield is batting .279 with a team-high 10 home runs in 95 games, but hasn't played the field since coming out of a game on Aug.26 (he pinch-hit on Aug.28). The team termed his injury "back spasms." Manuel said he tries to ..."

Gary Sheffield leaves NY Mets' 2-1 loss to Florida Marlins with lower back spasms

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August 26

Newark Star-Ledger

"Even meaningless games still bring bad news for the Mets, whose luck can't seem to get any worse. Until it does, again and again. On a day when the Mets had already gotten plenty of bad injury news, Gary Sheffield left with left lower back spasms in the seventh inning of a 2-1 loss to the Marlins on Tuesday at Land Shark Stadium. Sheffield said the injury wasn't serious and he expects to be back in the starting lineup Wednesday. Jeff Francoeur played with a brace to protect his torn left thumb ligament and went 2 for 4. Francoeur said he will need surgery in the offseason to repair the ligament. But he will try to play through it for the rest of the season, since doctors told him he can't ..."

Sheffield Stuck With Amazin's

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August 22

New York Post

"Gary Sheffield is stuck with the Mets, so he might as well make the most of it. The disgruntled outfielder yesterday pledged allegiance to his team, a day after asking out of the starting lineup because he wasn't happy about an afternoon meeting with general manager Omar Minaya in which the 40-year-old Sheffield's future -- or lack thereof -- with the organization was discussed. Sheffield, who went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in the Mets' 4-2 victory over the Phillies last night, said he never asked specifically for a contract extension, but didn't deny he wanted confirmation from the Mets that he's part of their 2010 plans. This after Sheffield was recently placed on waivers but pulled ..."

Giants Mistake Not to Waive Goodbye

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August 22

New York Post

columnist Jay Greenberg

"AS a player who never had a contract he didn't ultimately conspire to break, Gary Sheffield understands he made the rumpled bed from which he bounded yesterday morning, with what he claims is a renewed purpose in remaining a Met. "From the past, I understand people thinking what they thought and they have a right to," said a player with 509 home runs and almost as many bridges burned and who asked for Thursday night off after learning the Mets wouldn't trade him to the Giants. "First thing that crossed my mind when [general manager Omar Minaya] said he pulled me back [off waivers] was, 'That's good for me because I could just stay a Met this year and next year.' So I asked, 'If you are ..."

Gary Sheffield and Mets management cool down

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August 22

New York Daily News

"That didn't mean it was a calm day for Sheffield, as he was ejected in the seventh inning of the Mets' 4-2 win over the Phillies last night for flipping his bat after a called third strike. But even in that, there was harmony, as Jerry Manuel had been tossed two innings earlier for arguing a call at second base. Sheffield uttered the word "never" five straight times when asked before last night's game against the Phillies if he had demanded a contract extension or requested his outright release after the Mets pulled him back from waivers once he was claimed earlier this month by an undisclosed team, believed to be the San Francisco Giants. Still, Sheffield admitted that he asked out of ..."

Sheffield Doesn't Get New Deal, Threatens To Leave Mets

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August 21

New York Post

"The ever-combustible Gary Sheffield was overdue for some drama this season, and he finally provided it last night. The veteran slugger was a late scratch from the lineup, and a high-ranking club source confirmed that Sheffield threatened to leave the team after the Mets rejected his request for a contract extension. Neither Sheffield nor manager Jerry Manuel did much to clear up the situation before or after last night's 3-2 loss to the Braves at Citi Field, though Sheffield stayed with the team and struck out as the tying run in an eighth-inning pinch hit role. Sheffield avoided reporters after the game, quickly ducking out of the clubhouse, while Manuel claimed he wasn't aware of ..."

Gary Doesn't Expect to End Year With Mets

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August 19

New York Post

columnist Larry Brooks

"THE Mets pulled Gary Sheffield off waivers last week when he was claimed by an unidentified team. This means Sheffield cannot be traded for the remainder of the season. He can be placed on waivers again, but this time, the Mets would not be able to negate a claim. This means that they would lose their most professional hitter left standing for nothing by going that route, not even financial relief, since the Mets are only paying him $400,000 for the season after the Tigers released him toward the end of spring training. Still, even given that set of circumstances, Sheffield told The Post last night that he does not expect to finish the year in a Mets uniform and he might not even finish ..."

Gary Sheffield has closed-door meeting with NY Mets' Jerry Manuel about decision to keep him out of lineup

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August 11

Trenton Times

"The door to Jerry Manuel's office remained shut for 40 minutes Monday. Inside, the Mets manager had what he called a "private conversation" with outfielder Gary Sheffield. Manuel said they reminisced about their shared time on the 1997 Marlins, talked about gospel music and, oh yes, that other thing: why the Mets were keeping Sheffield out of the lineup despite the fact that he declared himself "ready to go." Sheffield said his balky right hamstring, which has kept him out since Wednesday, would not prevent him from playing in Monday's series opener against the Diamondbacks. But Manuel said he wanted to rest Sheffield at least one more day. Whether Sheffield plays Tuesday will depend on ..."

Mets Lose Niese, Sheff While Clobbering Cards

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August 6

New York Post

"Even when the Bad News Mets win, they lose. The latest subject of the forgotten verse to "Meet the Mets" -- East side, west side, everybody's falling down -- is Jonathon Niese. The rookie left-hander's season is finished after he tore his right hamstring while covering first base during yesterday's 9-0 demolition of the Cardinals at Citi Field. The Mets last night received results of an MRI exam that confirmed fears of a complete tear. Niese will undergo surgery and is expected back for spring training next season. On top of that, Gary Sheffield departed with a cramp in his right hamstring and Luis Castillo remained sidelined a day after he slipped on the dugout steps and sprained his ..."

With Mets, Gary Sheffield trying to prove he's still got game

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August 4

New York Daily News

"Gary Sheffield just wanted a chance to prove himself correct. The 40-year-old, nine-time All-Star came to the Mets after being released by the Tigers in April with a chip on his now-healthy shoulder. "It's something I have always said: When I am healthy I know what I can still do," Sheffield said. "I've seen older players try to convince organizations that they can do this, they can do that and all they get is a 'Yeah, yeah, right.' They never get the opportunity to prove what they are saying. "This allowed me to prove it," Sheffield said. "Whether people respect that or not, I can live with that now." While the Mets' season continues its downward spiral, Sheffield returned to the ..."

Sheffiled At Home In Lineup

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August 4

New York Post

"The closest thing to a Mets power threat was back in the cleanup spot last night. That would be Gary Sheffield, who made his first start since July 17 when he left the game at Atlanta with a cramp in his right hamstring. Sheffield played left field and went 1-for-4 with a double in the Mets' 6-5 loss to Arizona. Sheffield is the only Mets player in double digits in homers (10). His .476 slugging percentage is the highest among the team's active players. But manager Jerry Manuel said the plan is to exercise caution with the 40-year-old Sheffield to ensure he stays healthy for the long haul."

Not Wanting to Mess With Success, Mets Don't Start Healthy Sheffield

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August 3

New York Times

"In one sense, Gary Sheffield said he was surprised that he was not starting Sunday. Coming off the disabled list, Sheffield said he expected to play immediately. But in another sense, Sheffield sort of expected this. He and 1:10 p.m. start times do not mix well. "I don't really like day games," Sheffield said. "I've made that very clear all my career." Manager Jerry Manuel received the message but left Sheffield on the bench for another reason. In Sheffield's absence, Manuel had liked the way the Mets' lineup - Cory Sullivan in left field and Daniel Murphy batting cleanup - was producing against right-handed starters. The day after the Mets scored nine runs, Manuel was not about to make ..."

Sheffield says he could have returned to team last week

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August 1

New York Daily News

"Maybe putting Gary Sheffield on the disabled list wasn't such a great idea after all. Scheduled to come off the DL onÂ Sunday, Sheffield likely won't start but is almost guaranteed to be used as a pinch-hitter, Jerry Manuel said followingÂ Friday night's 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks at Citi Field. It's a role the Mets desperately needed him to fillÂ Friday night - and it's one Sheffield could have easily handled had the team not been overly cautious about his right hamstring. With the bases loaded and two out in the sixth, Manuel called on Angel Berroa - he of the .125 batting average and three RBI this season - to pinch-hit for Livan Hernandez in a bid to break a 2-2 tie. Berroa bounced ..."

Sheffield's Next Move Could Be to DL

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July 22

New York Post

"The injury hits just keep on coming for the Mets. Gary Sheffield appears on his way to making it an even 10 players on the Mets' disabled list, judging by Jerry Manuel's increasingly pessimistic comments before last night's game with the Nationals. Sheffield was out of the lineup for the fourth consecutive game after leaving Friday's 11-0 loss in Atlanta with what the Mets originally described as cramps in his right hamstring. But following a familiar pattern with the Mets and their description of injuries this season, Sheffield's problem isn't getting any better despite the four days of rest. Manuel indicated if the 40-year-old slugger's leg doesn't improve by Friday, when the Mets open ..."

Gary Sheffield still out of NY Mets lineup; Livan Hernandez to first base?

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July 20

Trenton Times

"Outfielder Gary Sheffield remained out of the Mets' starting lineup Sunday with soreness in his right hamstring. Manager Jerry Manuel said he is hoping Sheffield can return Monday or Tuesday against Washington. In the meantime, the Mets will have to get by with just three position players on their bench. They could release Tim Redding to make room for another position player, but if they don't, Manuel said he could use Livan Hernandez as a pinch hitter or a corner infielder if he runs out of options on the bench. Hernandez is a .229 career hitter, pretty good for a pitcher. But Hernandez at first base? Apparently Manuel was being serious."

Sheffield Injury Apparently More Than Just Cramp

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July 20

New York Post

"Here we go again. Despite suffering from what the Mets initially described as a cramp in his right hamstring, Gary Sheffield wasn't in the starting lineup here last night and doesn't have a firm target date to return. Manager Jerry Manuel said tomorrow night in Washington against Nationals left-hander John Lannan is a good possibility for Sheffield to be in the lineup, but the manager wasn't making any promises. "He's sore," Manuel said of the 40-year-old Sheffield, who exited early from Friday's game after suffering the injury. When a reporter remarked how unusual it is for a player to still be sore if the injury was just a cramp, Manuel became circumspect -- still mindful, it seemed, ..."

Despite age, Mets' Gary Sheffield has avoided the disabled list

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July 9

New York Daily News

"There's not a whole lot of Amazin' happening with the Mets these days, except for Gary Sheffield, who has surprised everyone but himself by becoming a dependable everyday player and, at the tender age of 40, being one of the few veterans to avoid the disabled list. "I'm surprised and impressed, more impressed with the fact that he's able to go out and defend and still be a threat at the plate," Jerry Manuel said before the Mets took on the Dodgers Wednesday night at Citi Field. "He is really carrying us." Entering Wednesday night's game, Sheffield was hitting .361 (22-for-61) with five home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored over his last 17 starts. He started once again Wednesday night, ..."

Rest pays off for Sheffield

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June 27

New York Post

"Four days of rest evidently did Gary Sheffield some good. On a night almost nothing worked for the Mets, the one positive they could glean from their 9-1 loss to the Yankees was Sheffield not only survived nine innings in right field at Citi Field, he was his old self at the plate. Sheffield, who received a cortisone shot for his ailing right hamstring and knee earlier in the week, gave the Mets their only run, launching a fifth-inning home run against CC Sabathia. The 40-year outfielder later said the cortisone shot must have hit the spot. "I felt good -- especially going at balls in the corner," Sheffield said. "I went pretty hard, and that was encouraging. I did get something out of it ..."

Sheffield's Knee Didn't Need MRI

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June 16

New York Post

"The Mets now say Gary Sheffield will continue to play on his sore right knee after an exam by team doctors Sunday at Yankee Stadium showed the 41-year-old slugger didn't need an MRI exam. The sudden about-face came after Sheffield said Saturday he had been bothered by pain behind the knee since late last month and was expecting to have an MRI yesterday. Jerry Manuel agreed with Sheffield at the time and had claimed that because of the knee, Sheffield's playing status was iffy beyond the interleague series that begins here tonight at Camden Yards. The Mets, though, now say Sheffield will return to his outfield duties when the Mets get back to NL rules Friday at home against Tampa Bay. ..."

Sheffield: No Kneed To Worry

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June 15

New York Post

"Already battered with eight players on the disabled list, the Mets now have another injury worry. Manager Jerry Manuel admitted yesterday that slugger Gary Sheffield's availability is in question beyond Thursday, pending the results of an imminent MRI exam on his sore right knee. Sheffield will continue to DH through Thursday, when the Mets complete an interleague series in Baltimore. Manuel, however, isn't sure if the 40-year-old veteran can start playing the field again when the Mets return to NL rules next Friday at home against Tampa Bay. It's a concern because Sheffield, despite his age, is the Mets' lone remaining power threat with Carlos Delgado out until at least the end of July ..."

Mets' Sheffield homers, giving Gooden a blast

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June 14

Newsday

"To fans he's "Doctor K," or simply "Doc." To the record books, he's Dwight Gooden, three-time world champion pitcher for the Mets and Yankees. To Gary Sheffield? He's just "uncle." And that's a word Yankees pitchers likely were screaming after Sheffield drove in four runs in the first two games of the Subway Series, powering two homers against his former team as Gooden watched. Sheffield was 3-for-28 with no home runs coming into Friday's game. "It's a great feeling sitting down here," Gooden said, relaxing by the third-base line during yesterday's 6-2 Mets win at the Stadium. "I know he was struggling a little bit coming in here, but this is probably just what he needed to get going. The ..."

Sheffield Too Much For Old Mates

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June 14

New York Post

"Sore right knee and all, Gary Sheffield has been quite a handful for the Yankees over the last two days. Sheffield yesterday launched his second homer in as many games, a solo blast to left field in the seventh inning, that helped the Mets get back on course a day after the Luis Castillo fiasco, with a 6-2 victory at the Stadium. The 40-year-old Sheffield later said he's planning to have an MRI exam on his right knee in the near future in an effort to determine the cause of his chronic pain. But he vowed, regardless of the results, not to become the latest addition to the Mets' disabled list. "I just want to know what's behind my knee and I want to make sure it's nothing major," Sheffield ..."

Mets' walking wounded grows as Gary Sheffield hobbles with knee pain

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June 2

New York Daily News

"Add Gary Sheffield to the list of hobbled Mets. Sheffield moved gingerly going from first to third on Jeremy Reed's third-inning double, then labored going after Adam LaRoche's double to right-center off Pedro Feliciano in the eighth. He acknowledged afterward that he's been dealing with discomfort behind his right knee. Sheffield pledged to fight through the trouble by being smart about exerting himself. He noted he still stole second base in the 11th inning Friday to set up the winning run. Jerry Manuel also sought to offset Sheffield's mobility trouble by flip-flopping his outfield alignment. With left field more spacious at PNC Park, Fernando Martinez manned that corner and Sheffield ..."

Sheff Providing Amazin' Lift

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May 28

New York Post

"Gary Sheffield was going into second base after watching Daniel Murphy's sixth-inning smash rocket toward right. Sheffield thought he saw Murphy slow up. "That tells you the ball is out of the park," Sheffield said. "I went around third base and Razor [coach Shines] put the stop sign up so I hesitated a little, just cruising into third. I saw a sign it was a home run so I put a jog on and then he said, 'Go, go, go.' It was a confusing play. By the time I picked up speed, they were already throwing the ball in." So Sheffield was thrown out at home as the crowd booed another apparent lack of Mets hustle play. But there were several asterisks. Turns out it was a home run after all. Umps said ..."

Sheffield's 'Replay' HR Cooks Nats

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May 26

New York Post

"The 2009 Mets have their unofficial rallying cry. Cue Warner Wolf hollering "Let's go to the videotape!" Fast becoming the kings of instant replay, the Mets last night got a sixth-inning call upheld that gave Gary Sheffield a three-run homer, the decisive jolt in a 5-2 victory over the Nationals at Citi Field. The Mets won Saturday in Boston after replay overturned the umpires' original call, giving Omir Santos a ninth-inning go-ahead homer, and a day later they were the beneficiaries when replay upheld a foul-ball ruling on a Kevin Youkilis shot. After a six-minute delay for replay last night, Sheffield had his fourth homer of the season. The shot to left field against John Lannan hit the ..."

Sheff leads Mets' hit parade to support Santana

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May 17

1111122222

"he story keeps getting better, for Gary Sheffield, for the Mets. The man who was unwanted the first day of April now is described as the man who has given character to a team criticized the previous two years for lacking it. Three in a row for the Mets over San Francisco. Yesterday, when the fog was absent and the temperature reached the high 70s by the bay, the Mets pounded the Giants, 9-6, before another sellout of 41,336 at AT&T Park. Three in a row, 11 out of 13, and Mets manager Jerry Manuel talking not about what but how, about the "little things,'' primarily from Sheffield. "Our biggest at-bat'' is what Manuel said of Sheffield at the plate in the first. There already were two runs ..."

Perfect Time For Gary's Blast

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April 18

New York Post

"If there was a better circumstance in which Gary Sheffield could have hit his 500th career home run, he couldn't think of it last night. It was the perfect storm: a crucial at-bat, playing for the Mets -- whom he rooted for as a kid when his uncle, Dwight Gooden, pitched for the team -- and facing the Brewers, the team with which he broke into the major leagues in 1988. "Everything happens for a reason," Sheffield said after his pinch-hit, game-tying homer in the seventh inning helped the Mets beat the Brewers 5-4 at Citi Field. "There's a reason why I hit 19 home runs instead of 20 last year," Sheffield said. "I could have hit it then [with Detroit], but there was a reason why they had ..."

Fans pumped for tainted milestone as Sheffield reaches 500 HRs during steroid era

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April 18

New York Daily News

"Gary Sheffield was chopping the ball foul, spraying it hard everywhere, his swing zoning right in on Mitch Stetter's slow inside stuff and biorhythms. The home plate umpire, Derryl Cousins, kept pulling these specially marked balls out of his pocket, putting them in play, and you just knew the explosion was coming. Then it arrived, a sharp liner off a fat 3-2 pitch that traveled 385 feet and jetted over the left-field wall in no time at all, into the hands of Chris Matcovich, a 22-year-old fan from Suffern. Matcovich, an accommodating sort, would soon trade the treasure right back to the slugger nearly as quickly as it had flown to him, for a handful of signed jerseys. Sheffield rounded ..."

Sheffield's 500th Ties the Game

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April 18

New York Times

"Gary Sheffield has been a Met for all of two weeks, a period defined more by his perceived weaknesses than by his obvious strengths. He may no longer throw as well as he once did, or patrol the outfield as deftly, but Sheffield, even at age 40, can still hit. One of his vicious swings Friday night launched him into the record book, as the 25th player to hit 500 home runs. His pinch-hit, bases-empty blast tied the score in the seventh inning, and the Mets, despite later squandering two bases-loaded opportunities, defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-4, when Luis Castillo's infield single scored Carlos Delgado with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. As soon as Sheffield made contact, crushing ..."

Manuel: Gary Sheffield may start in left for Mets as well

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April 14

New York Daily News

"Jerry Manuel plans to proceed with Gary Sheffield making his first start as a Met Wednesday in right field, after Tuesday's off-day. But in an apparent acknowledgment to regular right fielder Ryan Church's solid beginning to the season, the manager suggested Sheffield's second outfield appearance would be in left field in place of Daniel Murphy. Sheffield's second start could come in Friday's series opener against Milwaukee, although Manuel didn't want to commit this soon. The manager did indicate that he'd leave Church, the more accomplished fielder, in right and move Sheffield to left when they're starting together. Sheffield, who didn't even pick up a glove in spring training with the ..."

Sheffield Misses Opener, But Will Start Tomorrow

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April 14

New York Post

"Gary Sheffield wasn't in the historic starting lineup yesterday as the Mets christened Citi Field, but he won't have to wait long to test out right field. Manager Jerry Manuel said the 40-year-old slugger -- who stands just one homer away from the 500 mark -- is expected to get his first start as a Met tomorrow night. "In this game, you can practice, practice, practice, but eventually you have to play, you have to get on the field," Manuel said. "We have to put him out there, watch him play, and if there's a chance to defend for him, we'll do that." Sheffield would start tomorrow in place of Ryan Church despite being just a third of the way to losing the 20 pounds Sheffield wanted to shed ..."

Sheffield to Start Wednesday for Mets Instead of Church

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April 14

New York Times

"Once again, Ryan Church is off to a spectacular start, batting .423 for the Mets and making juggling catches in right field. But he is not scheduled to be in the starting lineup Wednesday night against the San Diego Padres. Instead, he will be benched in favor of Gary Sheffield, who did not play the outfield in spring training for Detroit because he never thought he would be asked to do so during the season, by the Mets. Still, ready or not, Sheffield will be in right field at Citi Field, manning what could be one of the trickiest corners in baseball, with an upper-deck overhang and assorted quirky angles. And the left fielder will be Daniel Murphy, who is still learning on the job. Add ..."

Gary Sheffield might be with Mets, but he brought prestige to Marlins

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April 11

Palm Beach Post

columnist Dave George

"In one way, Gary Sheffield looked exactly the same way on Friday night as he did in 1997, when the most prolific slugger ever to wear a Florida Marlins uniform closed down October puffing on a World Series victory cigar. It was the haircut that was so familiar, cropped close, just the way Sheff likes it and just the way he got it after taking a break during Friday's pre-game workout to hunt down his old Marlins barber, Hugo Tandron, in a room over by the Florida clubhouse. Post your comments on this story below More in SportsGet the latest news, photos and more for S. Fla. teams. Share This Story "I've been on the go ever since coming over (from Detroit to the New York Mets)," said ..."

Sheffield OK With Limited Role

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April 9

New York Post

"Gary Sheffield didn't sound like someone about to take over as the Mets' predominant right fielder yesterday, nor did he look like it. The 40-year-old slugger was the picture of exhaustion after taking 140 swings and then running down 30 fly balls in the outfield for the first time in longer than he could remember. The Mets talked about Sheffield displacing Ryan Church in right field when they added Sheffield last weekend, but that possibility seemed remote before last night's 9-7 victory over the Reds. Even Sheffield predicted his role with the Mets likely would be limited, something he claimed is not a problem. "No, I'm not trying to [take Church's playing time away] at all," Sheffield ..."

Hard to get pumped up over Gary Sheffield's 500th homer

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April 8

New York Daily News

columnist Filip Bondy

"It isn't likely to happen here at the Great American Ballpark, because the Reds are laden, and leaden, with righthanded pitching. But you never know. Maybe southpaw Arthur Rhodes or Daniel Ray Herrera comes out of the bullpen at an opportune time, then Jerry Manuel nods to Gary Sheffield to grab a bat, and Sheffield tomahawks his 500th homer over the left-field wall. Then what happens? Does tradition-bound Cincinnati cheer? Does it grimace? It was hard to find a spectator at the opener on Monday who was even aware of Sheffield's impending mark. "I wouldn't cheer for him," said Candace Barrone, a Reds fan, when apprised of the numbers. "He's just another one of the cheaters. I cheer for ..."

Gary Addition Better Never Than Late

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April 4

New York Post

columnist Joel Sherman

"RANDY Johnson and Gary Sheffield were teammates on the 2004-05 Yankees, glum and glummer. Johnson was a Yankee, essentially, because he was the organization's white whale. They had begun pursuing him earnestly in the late 1990s, thought they were on the brink of obtaining him on a few occasions and had become so blind with lust to eventually obtain him that they failed to notice he was not Randy Johnson any more. He was a 41-year-old with diminished skills, entrenched unhappiness and a long-standing inability to mix well with the other children. Sheffield and Manny Ramirez have been the white whales of the Mets and GM Omar Minaya for what feels like a baseball lifetime. The Mets nearly ..."

Mets Hope Controversial Slugger A Good Fit At 40

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April 4

New York Post

"The Mets made a splash yesterday, and not just with the major-league opening of sparkling new Citi Field. Shaking up both their outfield and clubhouse practically on the eve of Opening Day, the Mets landed 40-year-old slugger Gary Sheffield three days after his abrupt release by the Tigers. The signing, which came just hours before the Mets hosted Boston in the first of two weekend exhibition games at their new 42,500-seat stadium, is contingent on a physical. Sheffield is scheduled to join the team today and could be on the Mets' Opening Day roster Monday in Cincinnati. Financially, it is a low-risk move because the Tigers will pay $13.6 million of Sheffield's scheduled $14 million salary ..."

Mets add a big bat, agree to sign veteran slugger Gary Sheffield

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April 3

New York Daily News

"Surly slugger Gary Sheffield is back in the Big Apple. The Mets agreed Friday afternoon to sign Sheffield after he was unexpectedly released on Tuesday by the Tigers. Detroit still owes Sheffield $14 million for this season, so the Mets are only obligated to pay him the major-league minimum of $400,000. Other teams reportedly interested in Sheffield included the Phillies and Reds. The Daily News first reported in Friday's editions that the Mets were going to "discuss" adding the 40-year-old slugger with 499 career home runs to their roster. Now that those discussions have turned into reality, Sheffield will likely take playing time away from either Dan Murphy or Ryan Church. Jerry Manuel ..."

Sheffield signing with Mets

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April 3

SI.com

"Gary Sheffield has agreed to sign with the New York Mets, SI.com has learned. An official announcement is expected this afternoon. It is presumed that the Mets will pay him the pro-rated portion of the $400,000 minimum. The Tigers are obligated to pick up the rest of Sheffield's $14 million salary. Sheffield chose the Mets over the Phillies and Reds because he believes he'll get more playing time with the Mets -- although Mets people have said no promises have been made. The New York Post first reported that the Mets were closing in on a deal with Sheffield earlier on Friday. He's expected to be mainly a right-handed pinch hitter off the bench and to occasionally spell Ryan Church in right ..."

Sheffield has Mets stirred up

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April 3

New York Daily News

"As the Mets broke camp, this news broke, too: slugger Gary Sheffield's availability intrigues team officials, the Daily News has learned. Rufus Williams, who represents Sheffield, would not disclose whether the Mets had contacted him. And with the team flying to New York after their game Thursday afternoon, it was believed an internal meeting had yet to take place among team brass. But "it's got to be discussed," a source with ties to the team said. The Tigers released the 40-year-old Sheffield on Tuesday despite owing him $14 million this season. Any team signing Sheffield - Dwight Gooden's nephew - would only be obligated to pay the major-league minimum ($400,000). The ex-Yankee hit ..."

Sheffield would play just a bench role for Reds

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April 3

Dayton Daily News

"The Buzz around the City of Sarasota Sports Complex wasn't about The Last Day of the Cincinnati Reds. It was more about a possible arrival, the possible signing of free agent Gary Sheffield. It hasn't happened, and may not happen. Sheffield wants a playing role and it isn't likely the Reds have that kind of employment for the 40-year-old outfielder who is one home run shy of 500 Manager Dusty Baker said there were never plans to meet with Sheffield, "That I was just talking with him," and general manager Walt Jocketty said there are no plans to meet with Sheffield or his people. If Sheffield played, left field is the location, but Sheffield hasn't played regular defense in nearly three ..."

Phillies talk to Sheffield's agent

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April 3

Camden Courier-Post

"As expected, Gary Sheffield cleared waivers Thursday, and his agent had another conversation with Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. But there weren't any indications that a deal may be imminent. Rufus Williams, Sheffield's Chicago-based agent, said several teams have shown interest in the 40-year-old slugger. Williams said "playing is important" to Sheffield, who has no reservations about playing the outfield after spending most of the past two seasons as a designated hitter with the Detroit Tigers. But the Phillies would use Sheffield primarily as a right-handed pinch-hitter. The Cincinnati Reds view Sheffield in a similar role and also planned to speak with him Thursday. "We're ..."

Reds join Phillies in running for Gary Sheffield

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April 2

Detroit Free Press

"The Cincinnati Reds wrapped up training camp with an overture to Gary Sheffield. Manager Dusty Baker said today that he's interested in adding Sheffield - a friend for many years - to the roster. The trouble is that he can't offer regular playing time to the 40-year-old free agent, who is hoping for a full-time job and a multiyear deal. Baker got permission from general manager Walt Jocketty to call Sheffield and see whether he would consider the Reds, who don't have a starting job open. Sheffield, who was released by the Tigers on Tuesday, could start in leftfield when the Reds are facing a left-handed pitcher, fill in at first base on occasion and pinch-hit. "I don't even know if we're ..."

Thoughts drifting as Sheffield floats

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April 2

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Tim Sullivan

"Gary Sheffield left San Diego too soon, and he would likely be coming back too late. He is 40 years old, defensively deficient, burdened by a recent history of shoulder problems and a 2008 batting average of .225. Fresh from a last-place season, located at the epicenter of America's economic turmoil, the Detroit Tigers have nonetheless chosen to swallow Sheffield's $14 million salary rather than allow him to earn it - this though his next big league home run would be No. 500. This means that once Sheffield clears waivers this morning, any club can sign him for the major league minimum of $400,000. This does not mean, however, that the waiver-watching, Dumpster-diving Padres will make a ..."

Reds will talk to Sheffield

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April 2

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Manager Dusty Baker said the Reds will meet Thursday with veteran slugger Gary Sheffield, released on Tuesday by the Detroit Tigers. Speaking to Enquirer columnist Paul Daugherty on WLW-AM's "SportsTalk" on Wednesday night, Baker said, "I've already approached Walt (general manager Walt Jocketty) and we're going to talk again tomorrow. "I talked to Gary just to find out where he was and his interest. I kind of presented to him what we have available here. … There are about four or five teams interested in him. Right now, he's looking for everyday playing time, which I couldn't promise him - with Chris Dickerson and Jay Bruce - and at his age, he's not a center fielder." Jocketty confirmed ..."

Tigers release Sheffield, one homer away from No. 500

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April 1

Contra Costa Times

"Gary Sheffield's next home run will be his 500th in the major leagues. The question is: What uniform will he be wearing when he hits it? The Detroit Tigers released the nine-time All-Star on Tuesday, leaving him without a team as he closes in on becoming the 25th player to reach the milestone. The World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, however, quickly called the slugger to see if there was a fit. Sheffield left Tigers camp in Lakeland, Fla., as the rest of his former teammates were reporting for an afternoon game against the Washington Nationals. "I wouldn't say I'm shocked, but I am surprised," Sheffield told the Oakland Press of Pontiac. "To do this when somebody is one home ..."