Gary Sheffield was released by the Tigers today. He is one home run shy of 500. Sheffield has had a great career. I think he’s a Hall of Famer, but he’s also burned more than a few bridges in his time.
The Blue Jays look like an obvious fit, as he can slide into the roll that Frank Thomas failed in last year. As long as Shef doesn't hold them up for an extension ....
Oh Sheff. He's considered a clubhouse cancer when dissatisfied, which is often. He isn't particularly happy coming off the bench, which is about all he's good for these days.
This said, in his heyday when he was at his most menacing, their was nothing more ominous than watching a Sheffield at bat.
499 would be poetic justice, but baseball doesn't always work that way.
I posted a rebuttal to [6] (showing that the statistical evidence doesn't support his claim about McGriff) but it seems to have been eaten by Word Press.
Sheff seems to have lost his bat speed which was well over 90 MPH. I saw him pull a low and outside fast ball for a 3 run homer a few years ago. He looks like someone Texas would pick up like they did for Sosa.
Any team would only have to pay him the league minimum, so I'm sure there's some team out there willing to pick him up. But I doubt he'll get more than 300 ABs
[9] Perhaps he's burned too many bridges to get the shot at that, Cliff (see also Petey and Schilling). I think it speaks volumes that Leyland cut 'em at the ass end of ST in favor of Marcus Thames, and they paid him $14M to take a hike (see also Giambi and the Yankees at almost a third of the cost). I laughingly said in an earlier article maybe Torre can stick him at 3B in reference to his "stint" there in the playoffs for the Yanks. I dare add he might get a career shot in the arm (pun intended) protecting Manny. I don't think he can cut it in the AL, and he loathes DH'ing, but he can still hit NL pitching. It's just a question of whether he wants to pretend to play defense any more or not. You have to believe he'll beg, borrow and steal his way onto some unfortunate roster, as he hits #500 in front of 10-15K fans in obscurity somewhere like Pittsburgh for the minimum in a losing effort. Heh heh
I thought Sheff was great. His ABs were no joke. That double against Curt Shilling's first closing appearance followed by the ARod HR - that's in the top 100 most joyous experiences of my life. Maybe not that high, but it was great.
[2] Yeah, I think Yankee fans should really curb their steroid talk when it comes to criticizing other players. We do have an admitted steroid user who could break the all-time homerun record. Not exactly the best PR.
[8] Me too! Steroids or not..watching him turn on a fastball was awesome..best bat speed I've ever seen. All the rest doesn't bother me (and I know I'll be called out on this but if he was white he's probbaly be known as "fiery" or "intense" and not a clubhouse cancer..)
[19] If he were white he wouldn't have said what he did about Jeter not being black enough. He also wouldn't have said that if he weren't a complete douchebag.
[15] He may still be able to hit NL pitching, but the problem lies in where exactly do you play him? He's a liability in the field at this point.
At this stage in the game, I'd say he's a RH bat coming off the bench, but I don't think he'd be too happy with that. Not only that, if you're going to sign someone to do that, why not Frank Thomas?
I sure hope not. Staying at 499 would be beautiful karma.
I hope the league pulls a Fred McGriff on him and he never gets 500. These guys wouldn't have even come close if not for steroids anyways.
I say Marlins
Yes, someone will take a flyer on him.
[2] Fred McGriff took steroids? I've never heard or read anything associating him with PEDs.
The Blue Jays look like an obvious fit, as he can slide into the roll that Frank Thomas failed in last year. As long as Shef doesn't hold them up for an extension ....
[4] No, McGriff has never been implicated, though his career trajectory is remarkably similar to Palmiero's.
Oh Sheff. He's considered a clubhouse cancer when dissatisfied, which is often. He isn't particularly happy coming off the bench, which is about all he's good for these days.
This said, in his heyday when he was at his most menacing, their was nothing more ominous than watching a Sheffield at bat.
499 would be poetic justice, but baseball doesn't always work that way.
Mets?
i have to admit i have a soft spot for sheff.
i realize he would be a pain to be around on a day to day basis, but i root for him to do well.
don't really see it, but maybe he goes back home to the rays.
Sheff's done, but you have to think some team would take him just for the cache of #500, no?
I hear there is an opening on Celebrity Apprentice. :-)
The Braves are desperate for outfielders. Can Sheff still play the field a bit?
I posted a rebuttal to [6] (showing that the statistical evidence doesn't support his claim about McGriff) but it seems to have been eaten by Word Press.
[10] Bobby Cox did seem to liek Sheffield, and Atlanta could use some power. It's not a bad fit, although Sheff is really just a DH now.
Sheff seems to have lost his bat speed which was well over 90 MPH. I saw him pull a low and outside fast ball for a 3 run homer a few years ago. He looks like someone Texas would pick up like they did for Sosa.
Any team would only have to pay him the league minimum, so I'm sure there's some team out there willing to pick him up. But I doubt he'll get more than 300 ABs
KC? Texas? Baltimore?
[9] Perhaps he's burned too many bridges to get the shot at that, Cliff (see also Petey and Schilling). I think it speaks volumes that Leyland cut 'em at the ass end of ST in favor of Marcus Thames, and they paid him $14M to take a hike (see also Giambi and the Yankees at almost a third of the cost). I laughingly said in an earlier article maybe Torre can stick him at 3B in reference to his "stint" there in the playoffs for the Yanks. I dare add he might get a career shot in the arm (pun intended) protecting Manny. I don't think he can cut it in the AL, and he loathes DH'ing, but he can still hit NL pitching. It's just a question of whether he wants to pretend to play defense any more or not. You have to believe he'll beg, borrow and steal his way onto some unfortunate roster, as he hits #500 in front of 10-15K fans in obscurity somewhere like Pittsburgh for the minimum in a losing effort. Heh heh
Marcus Thames...
;)
I thought Sheff was great. His ABs were no joke. That double against Curt Shilling's first closing appearance followed by the ARod HR - that's in the top 100 most joyous experiences of my life. Maybe not that high, but it was great.
[2] Yeah, I think Yankee fans should really curb their steroid talk when it comes to criticizing other players. We do have an admitted steroid user who could break the all-time homerun record. Not exactly the best PR.
[15] After calling out Torre as a racist? The closest he gets to LA is Death Valley...
[8] Me too! Steroids or not..watching him turn on a fastball was awesome..best bat speed I've ever seen. All the rest doesn't bother me (and I know I'll be called out on this but if he was white he's probbaly be known as "fiery" or "intense" and not a clubhouse cancer..)
[19] If he were white he wouldn't have said what he did about Jeter not being black enough. He also wouldn't have said that if he weren't a complete douchebag.
[20] He said that about Jeter?? well..I stand corrected then..that is douchebag worthy, even not knowing the context..
[15] He may still be able to hit NL pitching, but the problem lies in where exactly do you play him? He's a liability in the field at this point.
At this stage in the game, I'd say he's a RH bat coming off the bench, but I don't think he'd be too happy with that. Not only that, if you're going to sign someone to do that, why not Frank Thomas?