Let's remember Gary Sheffield not for the way he left, or for what he did or didn't do on the field. But, rather, let's remember him for what he does best, and that's speak his mind. So here's my favorite Sheffield quotes from the past three years:
July 1, 2004
"I know Leskanic. His brother did my pool."
This is Sheffield's explanation as to why he wasn't angry that Boston's Curtis Leskanic hit Sheffield with a pitch in a situation when Sheffield was going to be walked. Earlier in the game Sheffield was hit by a pitch by Pedro Martinez and yelled at him. But the second HBP -- the more egregious one -- didn't bother him, because of the pool.
Feb. 28, 2005
"It's kind of a mutual thing."
This was Sheffield's reaction when he was asked if the option year in his contract -- which he negotiated himself -- was a player or team option. Of course, when Brian Cashman was asked a few hours later, the GM informed us it's strictly a team option.
July 18, 2004
"If it was up to me, I would never even speak to the media, never say another word."
This one still makes me laugh. Sheffield told me this in the visiting clubhouse in Detroit as he vented his frustation over how he felt the media presented his image. Still, everyone knows he can't stay quiet for long. And it IS his choice to talk to us.
Feb. 27, 2004
"We all say we don't play for the money. That's hogwash. We want to be respected and paid like the rest of the guys. But anything more than $10 million is Monopoly money."
I just like the image of Sheffield sitting down and playing Monopoly.
June 29, 2005
"I made a lot of concessions to come here. And I'll make it clear: If I have to go somewhere else, a lot of things are going to have to change. Or else they're going to have a headache on their hands."
Sheffield at his best, using his words to block a potential trade to the Mets.
Feb. 24, 2006
"I trust him, but I don't trust him totally. I don't trust anyone totally. Until it's on paper, I don't trust you."
This was Sheffield's view of his relationship with Brian Cashman.
March 30, 2006
"I'll do whatever they ask me to do, but it's a waste of my time."
Sheffield on the George Mitchell steroids investigation. Tell us what you really think.
Nov. 8, 2006
"He's a good player, but like I say, you can draw it up any kind of way. He ain't me. And that's the bottom line."
Sheffield's scouting report on Bobby Abreu. At least Sheff doesn't have a big head.
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I've probably missed so many other good ones over the years, but these came to mind right away. If you remember any other memorable Sheffield quotes, please post them.
Comments (11)
Good riddance. Jim, what about that magazine article where he ripped Jeter and some other players when he first came here?
Here's the quote you're talking about, Ralph. Good call.
"I know who the leader is on the team. I ain't going to say who it is, but I know who it is. I know who the team feeds off. I know who the opposing team comes in knowing they have to defend to stop the Yankees. I know this. The people don't know. Why? The media don't want them to know. They want to promote two players in a positive light, and everyone else is garbage."
The leader he's referring to was Felix Heredia, right?
Have you ever wondered how people like Sheffield make it in life. Its not all about hitting a baseball. And Detroit will pay him 41 million over the next 3 years. This is insane.
Jim,
That's the quote. Sheffield has some serious problems, and now those problems are Detroit's problems. When he gets through with Leyland, he's going to wish he was back in Colorado.
Get ready for a new slogan to appear in Detroit- "It's just Sheff being Sheff".
Sheff's sterling playoff numbers with the Yanks ought to fit right in w/ Detroit's .192 WS batting average.
No matter what your opinion of Sheff is, he came away from this trade in great shape. He is now with the American League champions, and got a 2 year extention on his contract. He knows what he is doing.
How are Detroit fans feeling about this trade?
Roy, Sheffield may have gotten a good deal out of all this but this is not due to the stunts he pulled.
He is simply getting rewarded because he can still hit the ball.
If he couldn't hit, it wouldn't matter what he says or does, no one would give him anything.
As a Tigers fan, word of the trade had me a bit worried at first because Sheffield could be such a distraction. He sounds happy with it and Leyland and Dombrowski sound happy with it, so now I'm looking forward to seeing his bat in the middle of the lineup every night. We've been hearing Sanchez has great potential, but the Tigers have an abundance of good young pitching so what they gave up is acceptable at this point. After so many down years, it's exciting just to have the Tigers discussed nationally as relevant and a contender. Detroit was a fun ballpark last year with a lot of energy and hopefully Sheffield will feed off that. Overall, right now I'm optomistic and looking forward to spring training.
Yep, he's happy now. But what happens when Soriano or Lee gets a bigger contract than he does? It's gonna piss him off.
Yep, Detroit will be "Team Harmony" now that the ultimate team guy Sheff is on board. I can't wait until the rightfielder makes a crucial error and Sheff let's it slip that he saw it coming and asked to play right that day but all the haters told him no.
Good luck Tigers..you'll love Sheff for about an hour and he'll love you for about 30 mins.