27
2009
Gary Sheffield Having An Impact On The Mets
An article by Hojo's Mojo
When the Mets signed Gary Sheffield on April 3, most of the talk was about him having a limited playing schedule. “Limited” would not be the word to describe Sheffield’s impact for the Mets. The veteran outfielder has become the everyday cleanup hitter, filling the void left by the injured Carlos Delgado.
Sheffield cranked his fifth home run of the season on Tuesday night, a three-run blast that got the Mets to a 6-1 victory over the Nationals. Sheffield had back-to-back games with a 3-run-homerun to help the Mets get a victory. He now has 504 career homeruns.
Since returning on Friday in Boston, Sheffield is 5-for-12 with two home runs and six RBIs.
Sheffield as of Tuesday has 9 RBIs in the last 5 games.
Lately it’s been the backups providing the power in the Mets’ lineup, with reserve catchers Omir Santos and Ramon Castro joining Sheffield as the only Mets to homer in the team’s last 12 contests.
The injuries have Sheffield playing every day in the outfield, something he hasn’t done since 2006. Still, he doesn’t feel fatigued, joking that he feels only 35 after the game.
“I’m just keeping everything in perspective, doing the job while someone else is out and holding down the fort until they get back,” he said.
Gary Sheffield is batting a .291 average, 5 homeruns, and 17 RBIs.
Not to mention his great defense. That was one the major factors of whether or not Sheffield would play as Jerry Manuel questioned him being able to play. More then once his defense has stopped a runner from getting a possible double off the wall.
Gary Sheffield has proven to be one of the best pre-season pick ups for the Mets.
About the Author: Rob Johnson
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 19 | .578 | 0.5 |
| Mets | 24 | 20 | .545 | 2.0 |
| Marlins | 24 | 20 | .545 | 2.0 |
| Phillies | 22 | 23 | .489 | 4.5 |
Last updated: 05/24/2012
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I’ll admit that I was against the signing of Sheffield and thought that he was basically done after he hit his 500th homerun. But boy has this turned out to be a GREAT signing. I’m not saying he is going to continue to hit the way he has been, or that he will remain healthy all season, but for the time being, he is really keeping this team in the chase for first place. Without him batting cleanup, this lineup is NOTHING to be scared about, especially with Beltran out the next couple of days. I still don’t think Sheffield’s attitude is great, but as long as he keeps hitting like this, then keep him in the lineup.
What’s wrong with his attitude? Seems fine so far. Picking Sheff up has saved the Mets’ butt so far. Let’s hope he can keep up the pace.
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
MYKEY, DID U REALLY NEED THAT ‘TUDE COMMENT? OTHER THAN HEDGING YOUR BETS, WE REALLY DON’T CARE IF U R RIGHT OR WRONG, LEFT HANDED OR RIGHT HANDED. I TRULY RECOMENEND U COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE, KEEP YOUR RESERVATIONS AT HOME, THEY’LL ONLY REDUCE YOUR POSSIBLE ENJOYMENT. PERSONALLY, IF SHEFF WERE(KNOCK ON LUMBER) TO GO DOWN AT THE MOMENT, HE’D STILL HAVE EARNED EVERY DIME WE’VE PAID HIM, NO WHERE NEAR WHAT TIGERS ARE PAYING; BUT CONSIDERING HIS 400K IS PRORATED FOR US. BOTH HE & LIVAN ARE CONTRIBUTING WELL ABOVE PAYSCALE WITH OR WITHOUT ANY ATTITUDINAL CONCERNS. BOTH HAVE BEEN MODEL CITIZENS & POSITIVE INFLUENCES. RESERVATIONS ABOUT THEIR CONTRIBUTION CONTINUATIONS SHOULD BE ELIMINATED BY PRODUCTION BEYOND WILDEST PROJECTIONS. IT’S CERTAINLY BOTHERSOME TO THIS GREYBEARD FAN, THAT METS’ FANS TODAY ARE MORE INVOLVED WITH BEING RIGHT ON THEIR ASSESSMENTS THAN HIGH ON THE PROSPECTS FOR THIS SEASON. SURE WE WERE ALL BURNED IN ’07 & ’08; BUT WHY SHOULD ANYONE LET THE PAST ROB THEM OF FUTURE JOYS THROUGH MITIGATION? THIS, I MAY BE WRONG, SEEMS LIKE AN UGLY BY-PRODUCT OF FANTASY BASEBALL, WHERE BEING RIGHT ON TALENT ASSESSMENT & PROJECTIONS ARE ALL SO IMPORTANT. AS A PURE FAN, RE. REAL LIFE SEASON. THOSE ARE NOT IMPORTANT ONE SMIDGE. I NEVER SAW ’69,73,’88.’00 OR ’06 COMING. ALL WERE AT LEAST AS ENJOYABLE AS ’86. IF NOT MORE SO, IN ’86 AFTER 8.2 INNINGS OF GAME 6, DESPAIR WAS MORE THICK THAN OLLIE PEREZ’ MIND.WITHOUT THAT DESPAIR, HAD THEY SIMPLY WON IT SANS DRAMA, I DOUBT THE JOY WOULD’VE BEEN AS HIGH AS WHEN “IT WENT THROUGH BUCKNER’S LEGS!” I’VE THE BROKEN CEILING PANEL TO PROVE IT!
I’D STINK AT FANTASY BASEBALL, SINCE MY ROSTER WOULD LOOK TOO SIMILAR TO PRESENT NYMs, WHILE I’D ASSUREDLY PREFER PUJOLS AS MY 1B TO DELGADO, I COULDN’T POSSIBLY WISH FOR HIM TO BE ANYTHING BUT INJURED BEFORE EVERY STL/NYM SERIES.I’M JUST A ONE TRICK PONY, ONE SPORT, ONE TEAM FAN FOR 347 YRS, DESPITE LIVING ALL OVER US, NY,NJ,DE,GA,NJ,CA,NC ALL IN THAT ORDER. ALWAYS WEARING BLUE/ORANGE ON GAMEDAYS, ANYTHING ELSE IS BAD KARMA. I HAVE SPECIFIC SHIRTS DESIGNATED PER SP, LIVAN HAVING INHERITED PEDRO’S. IF U ARE DRIVING THE BANDWAGON IT’S ADVISABLE BOTH FEET ARE OFF THE GROUND!
Nice article. Where would we be without Sheff and Livan ? 1 guy was on a minor league deal and the other guy was just let go by his previous team days before the season opener. Sheff is still a presence in a lineup, he’s not the player he once was 10 years ago but pitchers are still careful with him. The whole attitude thing was just a media creation. Give me the quote from a former teammate that’s ripping Sheff ? People especially the media just doesn’t like Sheff But so far it looks like from a distance that he’s been a solid teammate. They came out the dugout to greet him after his 500th HR and he listened to Beltran when Los was giving him hitting advice with breaking balls. I still don’t think Sheff is an everday player but right now we need him everyday.
What I find more amazing than anything else, is that the Tigers are paying him $14 million dollars to be our cleanup hitter, and at $400k we’re paying him less than any other Met on the roster.