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In 1992, while making a Triple Crown run with San Diego, Sports Illustrated ran a feature story on Gary Sheffield. In the article, Sheffield admitted he tanked plays in an effort to get out of Milwaukee in 1991. Why wasn't Sheffield disciplined for that by then Commisioner Fay Vincent for potentially costing his team games? It is one thing to want to be traded, but when a player makes errors on purpose to get traded, that should warrant some disciplinary action, IMO. Perhaps, Sheffield should have been forced to give his entire 1992 salary to Milwaukee.
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Last edited by Steve Jeltz; 04-20-2008, 09:47 PM. -
For the record, why wasn't Tony Fernandez disciplined for doing the exact same thing when he was on the Mets? After Fernandez left the team, he admitted to intentionally playing poorly just so they'd trade or release him."They put me in the Hall of Fame? They must really be scraping the bottom of the barrel!"
-Eppa Rixey, upon learning of his induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Motafy (MO-ta-fy) vt. -fied, -fying 1. For a pitcher to melt down in a big game situation; to become like Guillermo Mota. 2. The transformation of a good pitcher into one of Guillermo Mota's caliber. -
I was not aware of Fernandez's comments. Fernandez should have been disciplined and/or suspended as well.Comment
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Probably because they are just words - not sworn to and easily retracted. If they were uttered in the heat of a game and as a result of a specific "dogged" play, I would support banning for game-fixing here.
Other than that how do you prove validity?Comment
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Why isn't Frank Thomas being disciplined right now for his recent actions in Toronto?
It's actually a pretty common occurance throughout baseball's long history.Comment
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I'll take a cry baby that gets upset when he's not in the lineup than one that tanks the game when he is.Originally posted by jjpm74 View PostComment
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Thomas is angered about lack of playing time. He hasn't claimed he's intentionally not hitting, which would be the equivalent of Sheffield's proclamation about his intentional shoddy defense. Just how bad was he at the time? And did his teammates say anything? It's not like he could continually do something like that without them catching on, ala the Clean Sox.Originally posted by jjpm74 View Post
Brian's right. People say a lot of things, but unless there is substantive reason to believe he was doing it, anything a young Sheffield said has to be taken with a grain of salt.
You'd figure with all the talking Vincent does now about the state of the game, he'd probably say he tried to do something but everyone else stopped him from doing so, the windmills were simply too strong for him to stop.Dave Bill Tom George Mark Bob Ernie Soupy Dick Alex Sparky
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Love the quote. To me, Ueberroth, Giamatti and Vincent did little for the game. Vincent loves the adulation and being called the "last commissioner" but when it's all said and done Selig is the one who actually made something out of the office.Originally posted by Captain Cold Nose View PostComment
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In the old days he would have been sent to the minors. I remember when Chili Davis, a rising young star, and his then manager, Frank Robinson had some words over Chili's play. Frank sent Chili to the minors.Originally posted by jjpm74 View PostComment
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I remember when Chris Sabo was playing for the Orioles in the fatal 1994 season. Chris was ticked off at the manager, Johnny Oates, for playing him in the outfield instead of third base. Sabo told the press that by playing the outfield, his value in the free agent market the following season would decrease. Oates moved him to the outfield because he wasn't playing third very well and he was able to help the team more at the other position.
To me, Sabo's statement was very self-centered, thinking of his value in the following season's free agent market instead of what he could do to help the team in a pennant race - and the Orioles were in the AL East race that ill-fated season.
Anyway, I'd have sent him to the minors.
As things were, Sabo's career lasted only two more seasons as a part-time player with the ChiSox, Cardinals and a second tour with the Reds. Amazingly, the he made 2 million with the '94 Orioles.
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I believe Capital Punishment is not legal in Wisconsin.
Since that's the only appropriate punishment for Sheffield's (IMO) malfeasance while a Brewer, I guess that's why he wasn't punished.Comment
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I read an old article about Sheffield a few weeks ago and it said the error on prupose thing wasn't true. The story evolved from a comment Gary made while he was angry with being charged with an error when he thought another player should have been given the error. There was some errorless streak or something going for the other player (Glenn Braggs maybe?). Sheffield said something like "if he thinks that's an error next time I'll really give him an error and throw the ball into the stands". Sports Illustrated did some research into it and could find no record of it ever happening. I'm a little hazy on this but I remember Peter Gammons saying the same thing a couple years ago.
Scott
PS As a Yankees fan I will go to my grave regretting the fact that the Yanks took Sheffield over Vladimir Guerrero. TO MY GRAVE!!!!
Vlad hitting 3rd and then Arod 4th. (sob) Excuse me while I throw darts at a picture of Steinbrenner for the next hour.I told you not to be stupid you moron.Comment
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