Gary Sheffield

For other people named Gary Sheffield, seeGary Sheffield (disambiguation).

Gary Sheffield
Sheffield with the New York Yankees in 2005
Outfielder/Third baseman
Born:(1968-11-18)November 18, 1968 Tampa, Florida,U.S.
Batted:Right Threw:Right
MLB debut
September 15, 1988, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Last MLB appearance
September 30, 2009, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Batting average	.292
Hits	2,689
Home runs	509
Runs batted in	1,676
Teams
Milwaukee Brewers(1988–1991) San Diego Padres(1992–1993) Florida Marlins(1993–1998) Los Angeles Dodgers(1998–2001) Atlanta Braves(2002–2003) New York Yankees(2004–2006) Detroit Tigers(2007–2008) New York Mets(2009)
Career highlights and awards
9×All-Star(1992,1993,1996,1998–2000,2003–2005) World Serieschampion (1997) 5×Silver Slugger Award(1992, 1996, 2003–2005) NL batting champion(1992)

Gary Antonian Sheffield(born November 18, 1968) is an American formerprofessional baseballoutfielderwho played inMajor League Baseballfor eight teams from 1988 to 2009. In retirement, he is asports agent.

For most of his career, Sheffield playedright field,though he has also playedleft field,third base,shortstop,and a handful of games atfirst base.He played for theMilwaukee Brewers,San Diego Padres,Florida Marlins,Los Angeles Dodgers,Atlanta Braves,New York Yankees,Detroit Tigers,and theNew York Mets.Sheffield was a first-round pick of the Brewers, who selected him sixth overall in the1986amateur draft after a standout prep career atHillsborough High SchoolinTampa, Florida.He batted and threw right-handed. Sheffield hit his 500th home run on April 17, 2009. As of his last game, Sheffield ranked second among all active players inwalks(1,475), third inruns(1,636), fourth inRBIs(1,676), fifth inhits(2,689) andhome runs(509), and sixth inhit by pitches(135). He is the only player in history to record 100 RBIs in a season for five different teams. Sheffield's batting swing was an exemplary mix of savage speed and pinpoint control. Despite his high home run total, Sheffield only topped 80 strikeouts twice in 22 seasons, while finishing his career among the all-time top 20 walks leaders. Because of his combination of skill, sportswriterJoe Posnanskiwrote, "I can't imagine there has ever been a scarier hitter to face." His first managerTom Trebelhornsaid, "Gary can turn on a 38-caliber bullet.”

He is the nephew ofDwight Gooden.After retirement, he started to work as an agent. His clients include former relieverJason Grilli.Sheffield was mentioned in the Mitchell Report and implicated in the 2004 BALCO scandal with respect to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Early life

Sheffield was born inTampa, Florida,and grew up inBelmont Heights,near the Ponce de Leon projects.He and his family lived with his uncle,Dwight Gooden,who would go on to become the ace pitcher for theNew York Mets.They played baseball frequently and Sheffield learned how to hit afastballfrom Gooden,who is only four years older than he is.

Sheffield was a good hitter in the Little Leagues. However, Sheffield had problems with his temper and attitude, which would continue in the Major Leagues. Once, when he was late to practice, his coach benched him and Sheffield picked up a bat and chased the coach all over the field, resulting in him being kicked off the team for a year.When Sheffield was eleven, he was selected to the Belmont Heights Little League All-Stars, which included futureChicago Cubs#1 pick Ty Griffin, future Major LeaguerDerek Bell,and other futureMajor League Baseball(MLB) players.The team made it to the finals of the1980 Little League World Seriesbut lost toTaiwan4–3. He set a record for doubles that would be broken in2012by Bradley Smith.

High school

In 1983, Sheffield made theHillsborough High Schoolvarsity baseball team. During his junior year, he bulked up to 175 pounds and was apitcherandthird baseman.During his senior year, his fastball reached the upper 80's and he frequently showed home run power. As a batter, Sheffield hit.500 and 15home runs,in only 62 officialat-bats.At the end of the season he was named theGatorade National Player of the Year.

Professional baseball career

Minor leagues

After high school, theMilwaukee Brewersdrafted Sheffield with the sixth pick of the first round of the1986 MLB draft.Sheffield later said that if he had not been drafted in the first round, he probably would have playedcollege baseballfor theMiami Hurricanes.After being drafted he was shipped toHelenaof thePioneer League,where he had a.365batting averageand 71 RBIs in 57 games. The only question was whatpositionhe would play. He was slotted at shortstop, but struggled at the position, committing manyerrorsand wild throws. In 1987, he was assigned toStocktonof theClass-ACalifornia League,where his defense improved and he produced at the plate. His batting average went below.300, but he led the league in RBIs with 103, and at the end of the year he was voted the Brewers' best prospect. In his third season, he went from Double-A to the majors. In 134 games for theEl Paso DiablosandDenver,he batted.327 with 28 homers and 118 RBIs.

Milwaukee Brewers

Sheffield in 1988

Sheffield was called up from the minors when rosters were expanded in September and made his major league debut on September 3, 1988. As a teenager, he got off to a fast start, with his first career hit being a home run offMark Langston,though Sheffield finished the season with a.238 batting average and four home runs in 24 games. After a decline in play and several injuries, he found himself competing withBill Spiersin a race for starting shortstop. After this, he was moved to third base and criticized the team, saying it was a black and white issue.At the end of the 1989 season, he batted.247 with five home runs and 32 RBIs. In 1990, he worked underDon Baylor,who had been hired as theirhitting coach.He finished the season batting.294, with 10 home runs. While his playing improved, there were issues with Sheffield in the clubhouse, and went as far as accusing the organization of being racist after keeping him at third instead of playing him at shortstop where the white Spiers played.In his final season with the Brewers, he injured his wrist, thumb, and shoulder, playing in only 50 games.

San Diego Padres

After four seasons in Milwaukee, the Brewers traded Sheffield to theSan Diego PadresforRicky Bones,José Valentin,andMatt Mieskeon March 26, 1992. Sheffield faced his uncleDwight Goodenfor the first time in a Major League game on May 12, 1992, getting a hit in three at-bats. In his firstAll-Starseason, he contended for theTriple Crownfor much of the year; while he missed out on the home run (33, two fewer than the leader, teammateFred McGriff) and RBIs (100, nine fewer than leaderDarren Daulton) titles, he won theNational Leaguebatting title (the only one of the nine in Padre history not won byTony Gwynn) with a.330 average. In 1993, he started the season by hitting 10 home runs and batting.295 and was traded in midseason to theFlorida Marlins.

Florida Marlins

On June 24, 1993, he was traded, withRich Rodriguez,to theFlorida MarlinsforTrevor Hoffman,José MartínezandAndrés Berumen.He finished the season hitting 10 home runs, batting.292 and knocking in 37 runs while with the Marlins, and was the starting third baseman for the NL in theAll-Star Game.At the end of the season, the Marlins gave him a four-year deal that made him the highest-paid player at third base.During the 1994 season, the Marlins moved him from third base to right field. Sheffield hit 112 home runs with the Marlins from 1994 to 1998, including 42 in 1996, making the All-Star Game in 1996, and leading them to victory in the1997 World Seriesagainst theCleveland Indians.On July 13, 1997, Sheffield became the first player in Florida Marlins history tohit two home runs in one inning.He was traded to theLos Angeles Dodgersin 1998 because the Marlins allegedly could not afford a contract extension and because the Dodgers' parent company at the time,News Corporation,was looking to secure a television contract with the Marlins in exchange for trading popular DodgerMike Piazza.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On May 14, 1998, he was traded along withManuel Barrios,Charles Johnson,Bobby Bonilla,andJim Eisenreichto the Los Angeles Dodgers forMike PiazzaandTodd Zeile.Sheffield finished the season with the Dodgers batting.316 and hitting 16 homers while driving in 57 runs. In 3½ seasons with the Dodgers, he hit 129 home runs and drove in 367 runs. He made three All-Star games while playing with the Dodgers and had become one of the best outfielders in the game. But during the off-season, he began lobbying for a trade because he thought the Dodgers were spending their money stupidly and sliding in the wrong direction, and publicly criticized coaches and teammates.

Atlanta Braves

On January 15, 2002, Sheffield was traded to theAtlanta BravesforBrian Jordan,Odalis Pérez,andAndrew Brown.He spent two seasons with the Braves hitting 64 home runs and knocking in 216 RBIs including 132 in 2003. After two seasons with the Braves, he became afree agentfor the first time in his long career on October 27, 2003.

New York Yankees

On December 19, 2003, after negotiations between Sheffield andGeorge Steinbrenner,a contract was agreed upon with theNew York Yankeesworth $39 million over three years. This deal included $13.5 million in deferred money and a $13 million team option for 2007.He joined a lineup that includedDerek Jeter,Jason Giambiand the newly acquiredAlex Rodriguez.In his first season with the Yankees, Sheffield started slowly, but finished the season with 36 home runs, 121 RBIs, and a.290 batting average, helping him finish second in theMVPvoting behindVladimir Guerrero.On July 27 Sheffield hit his 400th career home run off ofMicheal Nakamuraof theToronto Blue Jaysin the top of the 9th inning.

In his second season with the Yankees, he continued to play well, hitting another 34 home runs and driving in 123 runs.

On April 14, 2005, aRed Soxfan leaned over the railing atFenway Parkand distracted Sheffield as he was going to field a ball hit byJason Varitek.After Sheffield took a swing at him with his glove, he threw the ball back into the infield, and then got into a verbal altercation with him. Fan Interference was not called, resulting in a game tying RBI triple for Varitek. The fan, a long-time season ticket holder, was not ejected from Fenway Park, but he donated his remaining 2005season ticketsto charity in an effort to avoid any controversy for the remainder of the season. Sheffield was fined for the incident. Charges were dismissed against both the fan and Sheffield.

Sheffield started the 2006 season on pace for a.300 batting average and 30 homers, before he collided withShea Hillenbrandof theToronto Blue Jayson April 29, 2006. He tried to play despite the injury, but ultimately needed wrist surgery. Sheffield did not return until late September. He had lost his right field job toBobby Abreu,whom the Yankees had acquired in a trade deadline transaction. This forced Sheffield to play first base for the first time in his MLB career.At the end of the 2006 season, the Yankees picked up Sheffield's 2007 option and traded him to theDetroit Tigers.

During a July 2007 interview withHBO'sReal Sports,Sheffield said that Yankees managerJoe Torretreated black players differently from white players during his time there, citing himself,Kenny LoftonandTony Womackas examples. Lofton later agreed with Sheffield's comments about being treated differently, but disagreed that race was the motivating factor. After it was pointed out that Derek Jeter isbiracial,Sheffield responded that he wasn't "all the way black."

Detroit Tigers

Sheffield (right) with the Tigers in2007.

On November 10, 2006, the Yankees traded Sheffield to theDetroit Tigersfor minor league pitchersHumberto Sánchez,Kevin Whelan,andAnthony Claggett.After the trade, Sheffield agreed to a two-year, $28 million extension.In his first season with the Tigers, he hit 25 home runs, with 75 RBIs, and a.265 batting average. Sheffield also hit his first triple since 2004 and stole 20 bases for the first time since 1990. He was also one of only six batters in theALto have at least 20 home runs and 20stolen bases,along withAlex Rodriguez,Grady Sizemore,Ian Kinsler,B.J. Uptonand teammate at the timeCurtis Granderson.

On September 8,2008in a game againstOakland,Sheffield hit the 250,000th regular season home run in Major League Baseball history according toBaseball-Reference.The home run was agrand slamoffGio González;Sheffield had hit baseball's 249,999th home run against Gonzalez in his previous at-bat. Sheffield ended the 2008 season with 499 career home runs.

On September 19, 2008, Sheffield was hit by a pitch fromCleveland IndianspitcherRoberto Heredia Hernándezand walked to first base. When Hernández threw to first base, he and Sheffield exchanged words and Sheffield charged the mound, attempting to tackle Hernández but being caught in a headlock and punched a few times on the top of his head by the young pitcher, leading to abench-clearing brawl.Hernández and Sheffield were both ejected, along with Indians catcherVíctor Martínezand Tigers second basemanPlácido Polanco.On September 22, the commissioner's office announced four suspensions resulting from the brawl: Hernández was suspended for six games, Sheffield received a four-game suspension, and Martinez and Indians infielderAsdrúbal Cabreraeach received three-game suspensions. Sheffield made statements after the suspension that the involved players from the Indians would be "penalized" by him as well.

On March 31, 2009, Sheffield was released by the Tigers despite being owed $14M. The Tigers said in a statement that they wanted to have more versatility with the DH position.

New York Mets

Sheffield with the New York Mets in 2009

On April 3, Sheffield agreed to a deal with theNew York Metsfor the2009season,and he finalized the deal the following day.

On April 17, Sheffield hithis 500th home runin a game against theMilwaukee Brewers,becoming the 25th player in MLB history to reach that milestone, the first player to achieve this as a pinch-hitter, and the first to do so in a Mets uniform.Sheffield would also become the third player in Major League history to hit home runs before age 20 and after age 40, joiningTy CobbandRusty Staub.Alex Rodriguezbecame the fourth player to do so in 2015.Sheffield sat out a game in August when the Mets declined to offer him a contract extension.

Retirement

Sheffield did not play in 2010. Though he initially suggested he wanted to sign with a team for the 2011 season,he announced his retirement at the beginning of 2011 spring training.

Career highlights

Championships earned or shared

Title	Times	Dates	Ref
National Leaguebatting champion	1	1992
National Leaguechampion	1	1997
World Serieschampion	1	1997

Awards received

Name of award	Times	Dates	Ref
ESPY Awardfor Best Breakthrough Athlete	1	1993
Florida Marlins Most Valuable Player Award	1	1996
Gatorade National High School Baseball Player of the Year	1	1986
Major League Baseball All-Star	9	1992–93,1996,1998–2000,2003–05
Major League Baseball Player of the Month	1	August 1992
Major League Baseball Player of the Week	12	1992 May 24, 1993 Jun 13, 1994 May 1, 1995 Sep 24, 1996 Aug 11, 2000 Jun 18, 2000 Jul 16, 2001 Apr 15, 2003 May 18, 2004 Jun 6, 2005 Jul 17, 2007 Jun 10
Silver Slugger Award atthird base 4× atoutfield	5 1 4	1992 1996, 2003−05
Sporting NewsComeback Player of the Year	1	1992
Sporting NewsMajor League Player of the Year	1	1992
Sporting NewsMinor League Player of the Year	1	1988
USA TodayTop High School Baseball Player	1	1986

Achievements

• Became only the second Padres hitter in franchise history to win a batting title joiningTony Gwynn
• Holds Los Angeles Dodgers single-season record for at-bats per home run (11.7 in 2000)
• His Tampa team finished second in the 1980Little League World Series
• Is the first player to represent five different teams in theAll-Star Game.
• TiedPaul O'Neillas the oldest player to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a season, at age 38 (2007)
• First player to hit at least 25 home runs for 6 different teams
• 25th player in MLB history to reach 500 home runs, and the first player to do so as a Met
• Had 8 seasons with 30 or more home runs
• Holds the record for most MLB ballparks played in (51)
• One of 2 players in MLB history, along withFred McGriff,to have 30 or more home runs in one season for 5 different teams (Los Angeles Dodgers [3×]; New York Yankees [2×]; Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins and San Diego Padres [1×])

Statistical leader

• Led National League in batting average (.330) and total bases (323) in 1992
• Led National League in on-base percentage (.465) and OPS (1.090) in 1996

National Baseball Hall of Fame consideration

Sheffield first appeared on balloting for theNational Baseball Hall of Famein2015,when he received 11.7% of the vote, well short of the 75% required for election, but above the 5% minimum required to remain on the ballot. In 2024, his tenth and final appearance on the BBWAA ballot, he received 63.9%, falling short of the necessary threshold.

Steroid allegations

During a workout withBarry Bondsin 2001, a cream was applied to Sheffield's knee by a trainer to help heal ripped stitches from a knee surgery. Sheffield states in his book,Inside Power,that he had no knowledge of the cream containing steroids, and had no reason to assume so at the time. He goes on to say in his book that the cream did nothing to strengthen his knee, and also states that a look at his numbers shows no improvement after the incident.

On December 13, 2007, Sheffield was named in theMitchell Reportas one of the players who had obtained and used steroids.Sheffield agreed to meet with the report's investigators for an interview but, due to the unavailability of his attorney, no interview could be scheduled before the report was published.

In their bookGame of Shadows,reportersMark Fainaru-WadaandLance Williamsallege that Sheffield worked with and received steroids such as testosterone and human growth hormone from his and Barry Bonds's personal trainer Greg Anderson. The book also details steroid calendars found in possession of Anderson outlining numerous steroid cycles Sheffield was to have undertaken after the 2001 season.

Personal life

In 1986, Sheffield was arrested alongside his uncle,Dwight Gooden,and fellowTampabaseball playerVance Lovelaceand charged with resisting arrest with violence and battery on a police officer. He pleaded no contest in January 1987 and was sentenced to two years probation.

In October 1987, while still on probation, Sheffield was arrested and charged withdriving while intoxicatedand related offenses. Those charges were eventually consolidated into one reckless driving charge. His probation was extended for an additional 18 months.

On December 5, 1993, Sheffield was arrested after being clocked driving aFerrari Testarossa110 miles per hour (180 km/h) onInterstate 4in Florida and failing abreathalyzertest. In May 1994, he pleaded no contest to reckless driving and was sentenced again to nine months of probation and 40 hours of community service.

In October 1995, Sheffield was shot in his left shoulder after an attempted robbery when he stopped his car at a traffic light in Tampa.

Throughout his career, Sheffield was verbal about his need for sufficient financial compensation and respect, demanding better pay when he was with the Dodgers, and refusing to play in the inauguralWorld Baseball Classic,saying the regular "season is when [he's] getting paid."

Sheffield and his wifeDeleonreside inTampa, Florida.They have three sons Jaden Sheffield, Noah Sheffield, and Christian Sheffield. Sheffield has five other children from previous relationships. Deleon is a gospel recording artist and has sung the National Anthem atYankee Stadiumduring a playoff game with Sheffield on the lineup.In February 2005, a man was arraigned in federal court on charges ofextortingSheffield by threatening to release a sex tape of Deleon with an ex-boyfriend.In January 2006, the man was sentenced to 27 months in prison.

Sheffield's cousin, Derrick Pedro, played outfield in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.Sheffield's cousin,Tim Carter,played professionalfootballas awide receiver.

In the June 2007 issue ofGQmagazine, Sheffield (a Detroit Tiger at the time) was quoted saying that there are more Latin baseball players than African-American players because Latinos are easier to control. "What I said is that you're going to see more black faces, but there ain't no English going to be coming out.... (It's about) being able to tell (Latin players) what to do — being able to control them.... Where I'm from, you can't control us." He continued "They have more to lose than we do. You can send them back across the island. You can't send us back. We're already here."

See also

• List of Major League Baseball batting champions
• List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career total bases leaders
• List of Miami Marlins team records
• List of Major League Baseball players named in the Mitchell Report
• List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromMLB,orESPN,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors)
• cnnSports Illustrated Interview

• Gary Sheffieldat theSABR Baseball Biography Project