Gary Sheffield and Barry Bonds shared a personal trainer, a drug connection, and one of the most ridiculous excuses ever put forth by any human beings, ever. Back in 2002 Sheffield and Bonds had a bit of a tiff because Gary blamed Barry for getting him mixed up in the whole BALCO mess.
But now that Bonds is on the threshold of breaking Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record, Sheffield is offering an olive branch to the San Francisco slugger. Here’s what Sheffield had to say: “I want him to break the record so bad because of the way they are treating him. Barry transcended the game, Barry changed the game.”
Sheffield also calls Bonds “the best who ever lived.” Bonds is the best who ever lived, the best who ever lived during baseball’s “Steroid Era.”
But really, how much weight should be given to the statements of a man who took steroids and said he didn’t know what he was taking? Who really cares what Sheffield says, a guy who shared BALCO, Greg Anderson and a dim-witted steroid defense with Bonds?
Here’s what Sheffield has said about his involvement with steroid use – the clear and the cream – and his tenure under the tutelage of Greg Anderson, Bonds and BALCO. He says that he never took steroids even though he’s admitted to taking the both the cream and the clear. Here is Sheffield’s justification: “I don’t care what nobody say. Steroids is something you shoot in your butt. You know, I do know that.” Um, no you don't, Gary.
Spelling and grammar check really had a hard time with that statement, but I digress.
Looking at the honorable way that Hank Aaron played the game of baseball and comported himself during his chase of Babe Ruth, should we be surprised that Sheffield, a career malcontent and recidivist trouble maker, supports Bonds, one of the most selfish and unlikable players ever to don a uniform?
Keep in mind that Sheffield recently claimed that New York Yankees manager Joe Torre treated black players differently than white players, by “calling them out” in front of the team where white players were spoken to in the manager’s office. When Sheffield was reminded that the Yanks' most prominent and popular player – and team captain - Derek Jeter is black, Sheffield said that Jeter is “black and white” and when asked to clarify he said, “It’s just (he) ain’t all the way black.”
So this is the guy that supports Bonds. Shocker, eh?
I’ll tell you what would be newsworthy-- if Sheffield came out and said that he felt bad that someone like Bonds would break Hank Aaron’s record. People would be shocked if Sheff expressed remorse for being tied up with Bonds and BALCO and came clean about his involvement in the sordid case which sullied the reputation of an entire era of baseball.
Article comments
1 - RJ
Great post, and I agree.
I am so disappointed in the Tigers for picking up Sheffield during the off-season. He is to the Tigers what Rasheed Wallace is to the Pistons: A talented athlete, but such a whiny, arrogant loudmouth that his negatives outweigh his positives.
IMO, of course...
2 - Jose
I just recently wrote about my p.o.v. on Bonds breaking the record, so I'm in the right frame of mind to read this. I'm happy the Tigers picked up Sheffield because, while he does have a "way with words," he's also very talented, and changes the game with his presence. He's not afraid to speak his mind, but he's a trusted teammate, which I believe is necessary in a clubhouse.
Now as for Gary agreeing with Barry, people have to realize that, in sports, 2 years is a lot of time and one can change his / her opinion within that time.
MLB has the cockiest group of players out of the 4 major sports, even the NBA. And looking at the list of people within the "character" guys that are listed, I do remember Ken Griffey being a complete media jerk and only an on-the-field darling according to media sources. Only after he got over all those crazy injuries did he really calm himself down. The same can be said for Frank Thomas, whose own GM in Chicago called him out only a couple of years ago. Wow. A lot of the guys we love and admire have done things we're not supposed to be proud of, but essentially, that's just a reflection of us as fans.
This was a good post. Good discussion starter ...
3 - Ernie Stankowitz
I think steroids are great. They make you feel good. I think everybody should take them...
4 - The Haze
"He ain't all the way black." Is it just me or does that have a racist tinge to it? Where was the media when that "tripe" came out of his mug? Oh yeah, "he ain't white enough" to get blistered for such a racist comment.He's also been in sports long enough to know the difference between sports cream and steroid cream. I don't see sports(I use that term loosely) getting any better in the future either Sal,so I guess all we have is the memories of "when it was a game". Hey,there's always Ron Mexico in the remake of "Dog Day Afternoon"! What a bunch of maroons!!
5 - sal m
you are right haze, it won't get any better, but at least from now on the dickheads will all be younger guys. i hate it that the guys my age - my generation - are the guys who have screwed it up. at least with the younger guys i can chalk it up to those darn kids....
6 - The Haze
Just got done watching the HOF inductions. Tony and Cal. Twenty years each with the same team. Thats another thing this generation will never see.......or learn - LOYALTY. It seems all their taught is win,win,win and when they don't,all the parents do is appease and coddle,instead of preparing them for a world where you don't win all the time.That's why L.L. umps get punched by Dad and youth hockey refs get assaulted. The only loyalty they know is to themselves. God save us all.
7 - RJ
Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn: Two of my all-time favs. Class and hard-work all the way.
Congratulations, gentlemen.
8 - Jelly B
Shut UP