Was it great to see Gary Sheffield speak out?

Actually, it's not. It's almost embassing to be a Tigers fan because of his mouth.

Granted this is a free country and all, and he certainly can say what he wants, but I do wish he would tone it down a notch or two.

I feel like I owe an apology to everyone.

I don't think that it was actually for that. More like for an extra bat off the bench and to rest the outfielders once in a while. Part of what you are saying is true though. When the Mets signed Gary Sheffield, Ryan Church knew that he was a proven player and that even if he hit .235 he would still knock 15 Homeruns. The fact that Church knows he is playing for a spot is helping his gameplay.

People always say, well if a white person said this and that, well Al Sharpton would be on his doorstep. Well, you know what? Al Sharpton is a little punk media whore. That's how I feel about that!

And yeah a white person can't say a lot of things without some repercussion. And that's how it should be. White people in this country are not the minority and when they actually experience being the minority in this country and anywhere else then maybe they can talk about what is fair and unfair.

That said, people want to rip Gary for his comments. Well, news flash, last time I checked he was a minority in this nation and a minority within his own sport. He never even mentioned racism but he mentioned race. The media spun things so nicely so you Sheffield opponent's can sound off against him for saying Torre was racist. Now he never said that. The media said that and you said that. Some commentator's even pointed that out, and they weren't black.

Yeah, it’s a double standard. It shouldn’t be but it is and we just need to live with it. Because no matter how much people want to brush the past under the rug it’s not gone. It’s not 1960 but it certainly not like it should be. The book “Black Like Me” still applies to today in some respects.

That said, I don’t dislike Gary but I’m not part of his fan club either. Gary is a punk. My Dad dated his sister and he said he was a punk back then too, this being when he (Gary) was in High School in Tampa. But I will tell you this much. I automatically don’t discredit everything he says just because he happens to be a big jerk!

I have seen a lot that I should have never seen in my short lifetime, but I have seen it because it’s there. But you know what I keep trucking along because this is still the greatest country on this planet and hard work can get you anywhere you want to be in life. I have never blamed anyone for the past and I could hate a lot of people but my parents taught me different. They lived through the CR movement and I have sat in sadness listening to some of the stories my mother and father told me. My dad starred in track and was a hell of a basketball player. What Gary is talking about, yeah my Dad went through it 10 times worse. I wasn’t in the clubhouse so I don’t know what Gary perceived. I do know that Joe Torre is a hell of a Skipper though. People just shouldn’t be so quick to judge Gary that’s all I have to say!

I have also seen how my niece gets treated by her white grandparents compared to my sister who is the girl’s mother. I’m not going to even get into the specifics but let’s just say Gary was dead on about Jeter. Jeter doesn’t count when comparing the two. I am writing this because it is my opinion and like Gary I’m not afraid to voice it.

I don't know the posts about Sheffield being old. Gary Sheffield is one of the most amazing hitters in baseball and hits in a way that no other player can. Sheffields ability to hit a baseball is like no others player and is considered by most to have the best hitting hands in baseball. As for his comment, Gary Sheffield will always be the outspoken person he is. He doesn't seem to be a person who would intentionally rip on someone and was just giving his feelings about playing for the Yankees. Many other players have a given similar testaments about playing for Steinbrenner and the Yankess.

my experience with sheffield were his years spent with the braves. there was never any controversy regarding him while with the team or after he left. on the otherhand, the yanks are a sacred cow among baseball. any negative comments, regardless of validity, will most assuredly be derided and denied.

is sheffield bitter and vindictive? perhaps. however, if there is credence to his assertions it will surface again among other players, some of whom may be emboldened to speak out because of his recent comments. if that be the case, this will at least bring attention to a problem, but how the organization chooses to handle the issue, assuming they even acknowledge it, is anyone's guess.

Lol I bet you won't be shocked to hear that I love Sheffield. Yes it was great, Torre is a biggot!!!

No it was not.

Sheffield knows nothing about racism. Ask Mays, Aaron and Robinson. I'm sure these guys can tell you about raceism. Frank Robinson, the first player/manager for the Orioles, they fans were nuts over this. Hank Aaron????

This guys was doing what he did best, play baseball & hit HRs. Then these stupid redneck fans send letters about killing his family???...in the stadium????

Come on.

Even Bonds, I really try to defend him...I do. Yeah I believe he did crap, but he is still the best hitter in the game. The crap does not improve hand-eye or bat speed. It just makes a 350ft shot to the warning track a 410ft HR. Guys like Sheffield just need to sit down and shut up. AND thank the Lord above that they can still get a contract every year.

Haha yeah

Obviously Sheff would know more about the Yankees organization, rather than the girl above me, I mean he was in the organization.

He bitches about almost every team he's played with, but I've never heard him say anything bad about Atlanta.

i havent heard the interview yet but what i did hear is shocking. gary is a great player and he should focus on baseball and not is past teams.