Gary Sheffield News: Pro Sports Daily

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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

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"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 ..."

Sheffield Unlikely To Fit In

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April 1

Tampa Tribune

"The Rays' newly acquired status as a destination spot for free agents comes with a caveat: They don't have nearly enough room to accommodate players who might otherwise be attractive to them. Gary Sheffield would seem to be in that category after the Tigers released him Tuesday. The Tampa native told reporters in Lakeland that he would prefer to stay at home and play for the Rays, but the chances of that happening appear slim. Though the Tigers are responsible for most of the $14 million Sheffield is due, leaving the team that signs him to pay only $400,000 for the slugger's services this year, the Rays already have Pat Burrell in the role Sheffield would play. The 40-year-old could ..."

Phillies unlikely to pursue Sheffield

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April 1

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Gary Sheffield was one of the preeminent righthanded sluggers of his generation, and the Phillies need a righty bat for their bench.Yesterday, they released a lefthanded slugger, Geoff Jenkins.Although neither side would eliminate the possibility of the 40-year-old Sheffield's becoming a Phillie, multiple team sources told The Inquirer that the chances of signing him are, in the words of one official, "very slim."General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. would say only that the parties had spoken yesterday after Sheffield was released by the Detroit Tigers. Amaro declined to say if he knew whether Sheffield would accept a part-time role.Rufus Williams, Sheffield's agent, was also noncommittal. "As ..."

Don't lay all Tigers' woes on Sheffield

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March 31

Detroit Free Press

columnist Drew Sharp

"Some will stamp Gary Sheffield's abrupt spring training release with a "Good riddance." But that would be an injustice. Sheffield wasn't a troublemaker during his two years with the Tigers. He wasn't a "clubhouse lawyer," disrupting delicate team chemistry as was his reputation in some of his previous major league locales. His only vice was a chronic inability to stay healthy. His Tiger years were a disappointment considering the high expectations when they acquired him from the Yankees for prospects following their 2006 World Series season. But there are no regrets because constantly pushing yourself to a higher level requires bypassing the safe route for a more daring path. The Tigers ..."

Tigers release DH Gary Sheffield

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March 31

Detroit Free Press

"The Tigers released designated hitter Gary Sheffield this morning, a startling development and one that will force them to pay him $14 million this season even though he will never play a game for them. It's the second-highest amount owed to a released player in club history, behind Damion Easley's $14.3 million in 2003. The decision is surprising from a historical perspective, because Sheffield's next home run will be the 500th of his career. The team was hopeful Sheffield would be a powerful presence at the plate in the final season of the $28 million, two-year contract extension it gave him after acquiring him from the Yankees for prospects. But he failed to deliver in large part ..."

Tigers release Gary Sheffield

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March 31

Detroit News

"In a stunning move, because they will eat the $14 million they owe him for 2009, the Tigers have released designated hitter Gary Sheffield. Sheffield, who said he was enjoying this spring camp and looking forward to the season because he was not experiencing pain in his troublesome shoulders, could not have seen his release coming. But he was called into manager Jim Leyland's office before 9 a.m. Tuesday and was given the news. Sheffield, 40, played in 114 games last season, hitting .225 with 19 home runs and 57 RBI. He missed portions of the season with a sore right shoulder and strained left oblique. Sheffield has played for seven teams in a major league career that began in 1988 with ..."

Tweaks benefit Gary Sheffield, Justin Verlander

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March 12

Detroit News

"Gary Sheffield entered Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees with an .063 batting average -- one single in 16 at-bats. He headed for the clubhouse midway through the Tigers' 7-4 victory with two home runs and a walk in three trips to the plate. Some extended work with Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon led to an adjustment that had Leyland raving about his 40-year-old designated hitter even before Wednesday's game. He was stinging the ball loud today in batting practice," Leyland said before Sheffield's blasts to left field, and deep left-center, gave him three RBIs. "He has his hands up higher to start with, so he can take the bat right to the ball," Leyland said afterward. ..."

Minor injury keeps Sheffield out of Tigers' lineup

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February 25

Detroit News

"First game, first lineup, first injury. But not a major one. Gary Sheffield was held out the Tigers' exhibition opener on Wednesday against Atlanta because his left arm was still swollen from the Chris Lambert pitch that hit him during batting practice on Tuesday. "Oh yeah, it still aches," Sheffield said. "They want to wait until the swelling goes down.""

Tigers' Sheffield recovered, relaxed and ready to rip

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February 6

Detroit News

"In a sense, Gary Sheffield can relax, right from the get-go. The Tigers designated hitter has a possible 162 games ahead of him in 2009 to hit one home run, which will be the biggest of his career, statistically speaking. It will be the 500th home run of a 40-year-old slugger's big league career that now heads into its 22nd season. And yet, Sheffield, for all the obvious ways that the 500-homer realm was weighing on him at the end of the 2008 season, will have other goals in 2009. He will fundamentally hope to stay healthy, given that an intact Sheffield, even at 40, probably bolsters a team that seems always to get a special bounce from his hot streaks. "This guy's gonna have a good ..."

Sheff and Miggy: Hall-bound? Depends on 'roids and doughnuts

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January 18

Detroit Free Press

"Who's your Tigers Hall of Famers? ESPN.com's David Schoenfield updated his 2005 list of 40 likely future Baseball Hall of Famers among current players, and two Tigers are on it: Gary Sheffield at No. 25 and Miguel Cabrera at No. 26. But both come with qualifiers. Sheffield has been linked -- by rumors -- to steroid issues, and Schoenfield admits that doesn't bode well in the current climate of Hall voters. As for Cabrera, it's another vice. Schoenfield writes that it's very early in his career, "so pay attention to Cabrera's doughnut consumption.""

Everett passes physical, Rangers look at Sheffield and Leyland talks about his contract

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December 11

Detroit Free Press

"Free agent shortstop Adam Everett passed a physical with the Tigers on Wednesday, cementing his one-year, $1-million contract. An official announcement on Everett's contract is expected within the next several days. The team may wait until the end of the week in order to maintain flexibility with its 40-man roster through Friday's deadline to tender contracts. The medical clearance was not a mere formality for Everett, who was limited to 48 games this season because of shoulder woes. Everett, 31, is regarded as an expert defender and batted .213 with two home runs and 20 RBIs this year with the Minnesota Twins."

Rangers have expressed interest in trading for Gary Sheffield

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December 10

Detroit Free Press

"The Texas Rangers have some interest in trading for Tigers designated hitter Gary Sheffield, the Free Press has confirmed. The Rangers have a tight budget this off-season, so Detroit likely would need to eat a portion of the $14 million owed Sheffield or take back one or two unfavorable contracts in return. The teams have yet to have any serious trade talks involving Sheffield. Foxsports.com first reported the Rangers' interest earlier today. Sheffield, 40, batted .225 with 19 home runs and 57 RBIs this year. His next home run will be the 500th of his career. Sheffield's current contract, which is set to expire after the 2009 season, includes no-trade protection. It's not clear whether ..."

Suspensions, fines expected Monday

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September 21

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Monday is the earliest that suspensions and fines will be announced for Friday's fight between the Indians and Tigers at Progressive Field. "Since it's the weekend, and I haven't had a chance to look at the film I need to look at, I'd say it would be Monday," said Bob Watson, MLB's vice president of on-field operations. Watson is MLB's dean of discipline. Suspensions could be in store for Indians Fausto Carmona and Victor Martinez, and Tigers Gary Sheffield and Placido Polanco. They were ejected during a seventh-inning brawl that started when Sheffield charged Carmona from first base after Carmona hit him with a pitch following Miguel Cabrera's two-run homer earlier in the inning. ..."

Sheffield awaits word on suspension

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September 21

Detroit News

"Gary Sheffield was able to play in Saturday night's game against the Indians as he awaits a probable suspension for charging the mound on Friday night. It was thought that Major League Baseball might choose to act quickly on the matter, in order to have Sheffield, and any suspended Indians, serve their penalties while still facing the team with which they fought. But that was not the case. Meanwhile, Sheffield -- as well his teammates -- watched as Magglio Ordonez pursued a second consecutive batting title. Going into Saturday night's game, Ordonez had passed Boston's Dustin Pedroia (.326-.324), but trailed Minnesota's Joe Mauer (.328-.326). The Tigers are also watching Miguel Cabrera's ..."

Sheffield hits Majors' 250,000th homer

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September 9

MLB.com

"Gary Sheffield still needs a few home runs to get to his career milestone. In getting closer on Monday, however, his two-homer game reached a Major League mark that has been 133 years in the making. When Sheffield went deep off Oakland starter Gio Gonzalez in the second inning of Monday's 14-8 Tigers victory, he hit the 250,000th home run in big league history. The statistic comes courtesy of Sean Forman at Baseball-Reference.com, which has been conducting a countdown toward the milestone event on his site with research from David Vincent with the Society for American Baseball Research. The list includes home runs starting with the National League -- where Chicago White Stockings infielder ..."

Source: Tigers put disgruntled Sheffield on waivers

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August 12

ESPN.com

"One day after Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he was "flabbergasted" by Gary Sheffield's complaints about playing time, Sheffield was among several Tigers placed on waivers by the club Tuesday, according to a major league source. Teams aren't permitted to comment on the waiver process, so it's possible the timing is coincidental. But there were indications that the Tigers floated Sheffield's name in trade talks before the July 31 trading deadline. So it seems likely that Sheffield's latest remarks have prompted them to see if interest in him may have picked up this month in the wake of a number of injuries to prominent players on several contenders. Other teams would have until ..."

Sheffield, Leyland spar over DH, playing time

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August 12

Detroit Free Press

"Describing himself as "blindsided ... but not mad," Tigers manager Jim Leyland objected Monday to Gary Sheffield describing himself as a "platoon" player. Sheffield said in response that because he isn't starting every day, he considers that to be platooning. In Sunday's Boston Globe, Sheffield said, "I don't prefer platooning here, but I understand because I got off to a slow start, that's part of it, but I feel I'm playing better now. I'm back to being a threat I need to be." "Gary Sheffield has never platooned as long as he's been here," Leyland said Monday. "A platoon is when you have a left-handed hitter and a right-handed hitter. One plays against right-handed pitching, and one plays ..."

He feels like a caged Tiger

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August 10

Boston Globe

"Gary Sheffield is healthy enough to help a team in the pennant race; problem is, the Detroit Tigers, the team he plays for, isn't in one. Such is the frustration surrounding the latter part of Sheffield's career. After about a year of dealing with a bad shoulder - the surgery, the rehab, the reduced performance - he has reached the point where he is a platoon DH and part-time outfielder, not what he had in mind for the final two years of his career. Sheffield, 39, still puts fear into pitchers. His numbers don't show it, but lately the thump has begun to reemerge. Would he waive his no-trade provision to join a contending team? Most likely. He lives in Tampa Bay, and wouldn't that be ..."

Sheffield, Renteria could sit if they don't produce

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July 17

Detroit Free Press

"Near the end of his news conference after Sunday's victory, Tigers manager Jim Leyland made one statement that could resonate for the rest of the season. "The one thing a manager always has is the lineup card," he said. "That's the only trump card you've got. And I'm going to make that perfectly clear. If guys aren't going to play hard -- if they're going to cash in -- I'm going to play other guys. That's the way it is." Leyland emphasized that he has not seen any lack of effort this season. If anything, he believes some players tried too hard in the face of elevated expectations. He described it as "a little stage fright.""

Slumping Sheffield: 'Don't worry about me'

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July 14

Michigan Live

"The trainers say he's as healthy as he's been in his two years with the Detroit Tigers, but Gary Sheffield and his numbers say otherwise. "I'm healthy enough to play. It's better than at the start of the season. I'm encouraged by that," the 39-year-old said of his surgically repaired shoulder, scoffing at the notion that he's better than he was before his torn labrum was discovered. Sheffield, a career .296 hitter in his 19 previous seasons in the big leagues, is batting .217 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in 55 games this summer."