NEW YORK -- The greatest constant of Gary Sheffield's career has been not home runs nor postseason appearances but his overriding concern with his next contract.According to reports on the websites of the New York Post and Newsday, Sheffield Thursday asked the Mets for a contract extension and was refused.
That led to his being pulled from the lineup as, according to the Post, he threatened to leave the team. But Sheffield stayed for the game, striking out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.
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This is basically a repeat of how Sheffield's tenure with the Marlins, Dodgers and Braves all came to their ends.
Before Thursday's game, when asked about his removal from the lineup, Sheffield only said he was physically fine and needed a break.
On his way out of the stadium after the game, he said only, "I'm done."
Whether that means for the night or the rest of the year -- we'll have to see.
"He's OK," manager Jerry Manuel said before the game. "He asked for a day off to kind of clear some thoughts and things."
Sheffield, 40, has been the Mets' primary cleanup hitter with the injuries to Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado. Sheffield leads the team in homers (10) and RBI (43)
He signed with the Mets in early April after the Tigers released him. He became the 25th player to reach 500 career homers with a shot on April 17.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-20-2009 @ 8:29PM
egoer said...
He had the same problems with the Yankees. This guy is a head case.
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8-20-2009 @ 9:08PM
Lakergregg said...
Augh oh, somebody better get ready to be called a racist.
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8-20-2009 @ 10:17PM
drfastiggi said...
He can't play on turf. He can't play 3 days in a row. He can't sprint so he's a station to station baserunner. He's a defensive liability. He's on a team with no DH. He's on the most disappointing team in baseball that will get a makeover within weeks. He's got 10 homers. The team is 952 games out of first. He is incapable of playing 30 days without conflicting with management. He can't go 2 quotes without inserting his foot into his mouth. He's 40 yrs old and declining rapidly. No longer hits for average. Will get less extra base hits because he can no longer run.
Yet when people give him credit for being an upbeat story in a dismal season on a bad team he wants a guarenteed contract. I absolutely guarentee he plays the race card before everything is done. Bank on it. He will be incapable of moving on to an AL team like he should without burning every bridge in sight. All because he still jacks the occasional homer.
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8-25-2009 @ 10:38AM
machadobrad said...
The most disappointing team in baseball? What a moronic statement. Take Jeter, Gay-Rod, Texeira, and Sabathia off the Yankees and you have the same type of team. Without ALL the injuries, the Mets would be right there.
8-20-2009 @ 11:15PM
matthewcornell said...
One of the few players in the league that I think a lot of people hoped would fail. Simply put. . . . he is a jerk.
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8-21-2009 @ 1:03AM
mantaent said...
He leads them in homeruns and RBI's so he must being doing something right.
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8-21-2009 @ 9:44AM
drfastiggi said...
I believe it to be more of a testimony to the Mets must be doing something right. Leading a MLB team in homers at the end of August with 10 is hardly something to brag about.
8-21-2009 @ 4:37AM
qongquest said...
what team wants someone that poisons the team, he poisoned the yankees and he poisoned the tigers.
intelligent fans tried to explain it to the mets and their fans. the mets can redeem themselves by getting rid of him. he does not deserve to be on a team close to getting to the world series or the playoffs period.
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8-21-2009 @ 6:28AM
deerrunantiq said...
This guy was Manny before there was a Manny. Remember, he came up with the Brewers & as much as admitted he quit on them because he didn't want to play there anymore.
He complained about being cut by Detroit shy of his historic home run total well, if he had played all out for the Brewers, he probably would have hit that long ago.
Someone should tell him there is NO I in Team but he probably wouldn't believe them anyway.
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8-21-2009 @ 7:51AM
Butch said...
This has happened everywhere he`s played ! He is the consummate..... I am the team player. The guy
Always has a problem , in L.A. Shawn Green playing Right field and him having to play Left field. In Atlanta where is was batting in the lineup. Bitched about everything in N.Y., In Detroit about being DH. ( He was told that when he signed extension.). He was mad at Bonds, I guess cuz he got caught with Clear he was using on his knee and Bonds got it for him. Now, he`s pissed and decides he needs a day off at the last minute, right.
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8-21-2009 @ 11:37AM
mikerat42 said...
He's not happy unless he's in conflict.. Would really have been pi--ed if the Mets said OK...
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8-21-2009 @ 12:03PM
WT said...
I try to like Sheffield. I even give him a pass for using steroids. But, he has been the T.O. of baseball for years. Its all about themselves. They will never be happy, even with all their millions, and just play the game.
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8-21-2009 @ 12:27PM
richcantwell109 said...
While I agree that Sheffield has been difficult in the past, he seems to have a point on this one. Why would the Mets pull him off waivers because some other team claimed him? They are totally out of the pennant race & wild card, he is old & injured. AND they say he is not in their plans for next season. I don't get it either.
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8-21-2009 @ 12:41PM
suitman36 said...
well, you can be sure that mr. sheffield will be dissing the mets, as he has done to the other teams he has played for. someone will be called disrespectful, not honorable or even a racist. this seems to be how he leaves every team. nothing is ever his fault.
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8-21-2009 @ 12:43PM
billyp01 said...
actually hes tied for the lead in home runs, and third on the team in rbi's
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8-21-2009 @ 12:48PM
Billybrw said...
The guys a bum 10 hrs leads the team The mets bite and the headline says "STAR" ha ha ha ah
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8-21-2009 @ 12:52PM
bulldog said...
Multi Million dollar contracts,Billion dollar stadiums built,$8 dollars for a beer,$400 dollars for a family of 4 to the ballpark..and a bunch of whiny over paid athletes..You couldn't give me a ticket to any sporting event for free..What A bunch of sh*t..and all from your pockets..Saps..!!
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8-21-2009 @ 1:03PM
Hello Mark said...
Hi Met's fans, well not only should Gary not get a new contract he should watch the door on his way out, so should Omar and the Manager go. We can't blame them for the injuries but we can sure blame them for not developing some talent in the minor's over the past years, look at the Marlins, with No payroll and how they at least put a contender on the field.
As for our SS Reyes and Centerfielder Beltran run them out of town, they have No heart to help this team, why haven't they returned. The only true star's on this team is Wright and Santana. Trade Beltran and Reyes and lets rebuild NOW. Also fire that So Called GM Omar Minaya, he's also useless.
In business as in life you have to perform every day to keep your job, with Minaya record he should have been gone a while ago. We Met's Fans are tired of the Wilpons spending all this money and getting nothing in return. Mr Wilpon Senior get a real baseball man in there to run the team.
I could go on and on but until Mr Wilpon gets someone other than Minaya he will have the same result. We need someone that's going to light a fire under these ball players behinds.
A Frustrated Fan!
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8-21-2009 @ 1:23PM
lcb1246 said...
I will say what no one else has the balls to say. Omar caves to Latin and minority players. Look at Olliver Perez's contract. I rest my case. If it weren't for Latin playes baseball would be dead. They are the most exciting and innovative group of players. But, if they don't perform, don't reward them with ridiculous contracts.
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8-21-2009 @ 1:32PM
lcb1246 said...
While I'm ranting, Delgado, Castillo, Reyes, Beltran, Tatis, Rodriguez, and an assortment of fringe Latin players. Is there a pattern or coincidence? In view of the Met's failures the last two years, one would surmise a change is in order. Oh, I forgot to mention Sheff. Enough said.
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