11/17/24
August 05, 2005
Gary Sheffield is a cranky man: "The 17-year veteran blasts the media for hyping team captain Jeter and third baseman Alex Rodriguez over every other player on the team - and says the Yankees lack family values, chemistry and trust. "Why shouldn't I tell the truth?" Sheffield told writer Stephen Rodrick. "I ain't trying to get no Pepsi commercial."
posted by Marla Singer to baseball at 09:14 AM - 28 comments
it's just gary being gary.
posted by goddam at 10:07 AM on August 05, 2005
Yes, Gary's reputation aint the greatest. I do think that he has a point. With all of the egos that get thrown togather in that locker room, its not surprizing that team chemistry is bad.
posted by daddisamm at 10:09 AM on August 05, 2005
Judging from his time in Texas, I certainly dont think that A-Rod fits the ideal "leadership model". I think Jeter can lead when others want to follow. Right now I dont see that happeeing with the Yankees!
posted by daddisamm at 10:11 AM on August 05, 2005
it's just gary being gary. Are you calling somebody out?
posted by NoMich at 10:12 AM on August 05, 2005
I doubt that any Major League clubhouse is exactly what you'd call lovey-dovey nowadays. Team or no team, I'm sure that most of those guys see each other as direct competitors for the Big Contract. So who, exactly, has got this thing called "chemistry" in any authentic sense, and just what would "family values" mean among a group of people who aren't related by blood or marriage? IOW, it's a dog-bites-man story, hence a big so-what.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:15 AM on August 05, 2005
"I ain't trying to get no Pepsi commercial." Perhaps, through his double-negative, he means to suggest that he does in fact desire a Pepsi commercial. He could intentionally flub multiple takes in a television spot to, you know, get transferred to doing Coke promos. "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." Well, hell. If it isn't Tony Womack, he must be talking about himself.
posted by rocketman at 10:20 AM on August 05, 2005
Just a lot of ego gathered together for the common idea...to collect a big fat paycheck while getting Big George the massive corinary he's been begging for since the Billy Martin days. Sheffield as always calling attention to himself in whatever way he can. It's no secret that the team he couldn't wait to play for turns out to be the wrong team for him. He needs to play for a team where his ego can be properly utilized. The Royals maybe or how about Tampa Bay? It seems everybody who gets in their later years goes there and it always turns out that they somehow grew up there {Boggs, McGriff, Tino}. These guys have more chemistry with their personal bankers than with their team-mates.
posted by melcarek69 at 10:25 AM on August 05, 2005
That " family oriented" comment did stike me as odd as well. I think it has more to do with the wives and children being involved in team functions.
posted by daddisamm at 10:28 AM on August 05, 2005
Who didn't realize Gary Sheffield had an attitude ? The media , especially in NY, loves stirring up controversy when it comes to the Yankees . As for Jeter not being a team leader , it was a job shoved upon him that he really didn't want , but assumed it anyways . It was given to him not just by his play on the field but also his conduct off field . You won't see him listed on a police blotter or in the news creating controversy , which would count out Sheffield among others . You lead by example .
posted by evil empire at 10:41 AM on August 05, 2005
The Royals maybe or how about Tampa Bay? It seems everybody who gets in their later years goes there and it always turns out that they somehow grew up there {Boggs, McGriff, Tino}. Sheffield is from Tampa, too. We will gladly take him off the Yankees hands if his ego is too bothersome for them. I have an affinity for those unpopular athletes who call it as they see it.
posted by bperk at 10:48 AM on August 05, 2005
Ironically Pete Rose was on Jim Rome yesterday going on and on about the yankees having a class organization and never hearing any dissension from the clubhouse and now this. I hope he didn't make any bets. Are you calling somebody out? posted by NoMich I know. My first thought was what did I do?
posted by justgary at 10:58 AM on August 05, 2005
Right on target evil.. Jeter is a credit to the way baseball should be played..I don't ever recall his causing a ripple in the water as longs he's been a pro,a real class act.I'm a life long Red Sox fan and naturally hate the Yankees and all they stand for,but I do appriciate a good player...Sheffields been a pain in the ass every where hes been..
posted by maclmn at 11:04 AM on August 05, 2005
Are you calling somebody out? heh, yeah, i thought about that after i hit post.
posted by goddam at 11:05 AM on August 05, 2005
it's a dog-bites-man story, hence a big so-what. Yeah right. Between Buddy Groom and this, it's more like man-bites-dog, given the national media's slobbering over the Torre Administration.
posted by yerfatma at 11:25 AM on August 05, 2005
Ya Know, I also feel that Jeter is a fine credit to baseball and the Yankee organization. I admit, I am not even close to a Yankee fan, but if there was ever a credit to a sports team it would be him for sure. They say he is having an off year because his numbers are down just a tad, but any team would be thrilled to have those numbers with the defense he provides. Sheffield on the other hand is good for two things...Homeruns and Bitching! Also has a great arm. Just wish he'd use it to plug up his mouth.
posted by melcarek69 at 11:29 AM on August 05, 2005
Must....resist....temptation....to....post....Jeter's....range....factor...numbers.
posted by holden at 11:40 AM on August 05, 2005
Gary cranky? Say it ain't so.
posted by dbt302 at 12:30 PM on August 05, 2005
Let's guess who the real leader is on the team. Who are the other teams really gunning for if it isn't Jeter or A Rod? It's Matusi, him and his translator are known for their wild team bonding parties and leadership. BTW, I heard an interview with Sheff a month ago saying that the Yankees had rallied aroud each other, and were never closer. I have to ask, Sheff, why you hatin?
posted by jbou at 12:58 PM on August 05, 2005
Must....resist....temptation....to....post....Jeter's....range....factor...numbers. Just a reminder, that's "Gold Glove winner" Derek Jeter. *snicker*
posted by grum@work at 01:01 PM on August 05, 2005
You guys are going to bitch about Jeter all the way to the Hall of Fame. You know this, right?
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:06 PM on August 05, 2005
It's Matusi, him and his translator are known for their wild team bonding parties and leadership. well, he is known to have an extensive porn collection.
posted by goddam at 01:14 PM on August 05, 2005
he's not the only one dam
posted by melcarek69 at 01:17 PM on August 05, 2005
He's not the only one in this thread, in fact... looking accusingly at Weedy...
posted by The_Black_Hand at 02:19 PM on August 05, 2005
Thanks for that link, goddam. I now have an even greater appreciation for Matsui!
posted by crank at 06:14 PM on August 05, 2005
"I know who the leader is on the team," Sheffield said in an explosive New York magazine interview set to hit newsstands Monday AND WE KNOW WHO THE ASSHOLE IS ON THE TEAM .
posted by evil empire at 06:36 PM on August 05, 2005
well, he is known to have an extensive porn collection. "Doesn't everybody do this?" Perfect comeback. What a guy. Go go Gojira!
posted by lil_brown_bat at 07:44 PM on August 05, 2005
I will trade with Godzilla anyday those japanese chicks are hot!
posted by azdano at 01:50 AM on August 07, 2005
Well, he's certainly not going to get no English degree neither. On one hand, I'd like to see the Yanks suspend Sheffield for this. Here's a guy bitching about the lack of team chemistry while doing nothing but trying to glorify himself. I mean, c'mon, Gary, you're the same jackass who admitted to committing errors on purpose in an effort to get out of Milwaukee. On the other hand, it's always funny to see the Yankees go through these little melodramas, and Sheffield is most likely right -- New York doesn't seem like a real pal-around bunch of guys, do they? Amazing how $200M will cover that up nicely, though. I suspect Sheff will now claim he was misquoted and we'll go back to focusing on what an absolutely atrocious defensive team the Yanks are this season.