Notebook: Sheffield speaks out
In an episode of HBO’s Real Sports scheduled to air Tuesday night, Gary Sheffield had strong words for New York Yankees manager Joe Torre and shortstop Derek Jeter, as well as Barry Bonds.
Sheffield claims black and white players in the Yankees’ clubhouse were treated differently. He said the black players on the roster would be “called out” in the clubhouse by Torre, while the white players would be called into Torre’s office to discuss matters.
“I just don’t even want to answer those types of questions because I feel comfortable not answering,” Torre said.
When it was mentioned that the Yankees’ most prominent player – Derek Jeter – is black, Sheffield quickly clarified that Jeter is “black and white.”
When asked the significance of that, Sheffield said, “It’s really no significance. It’s just you ain’t all the way black.”
Sheffield also addressed his past relationship with San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds. The two spent an off-season working out together after Bonds hit his record 73 homers during the 2001 season.
Sheffield claimed, “If I took what Barry Bonds took, why don’t I look like him?”
Clearing the bases
Rickey Henderson was named the new first-base coach for the New York Mets when Howard Johnson was promoted to hitting coach. … Jason Giambi met with George Mitchell, becoming the first active player known to talk with baseball’s steroids investigator. … Add Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to the list of potential Chicago Cubs buyers. “I submitted an app,” Cuban said. … Curt Schilling threw more pitches than expected during a bullpen session, another step toward him returning to Boston’s rotation from tendonitis in his right shoulder. … The Detroit Tigers traded pitcher Roman Colon to the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named. Colon was recently charged with felonious assault after a locker room scuffle with a Triple-A teammate. … Los Angeles Angels right-hander Justin Speier, sidelined since May 1 because of an intestinal infection, was activated. … Texas Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira was activated from the disabled list. … San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean received a two-year contract extension.