AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > June > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSheffield offends everyone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Before acquiring Gary Sheffield in 2002, the Braves agreed to a request to void his contract’s option year, allowing him to become a free agent after two seasons.
Imagine everyone’s surprise a year later when Sheffield belabored the pressures of his impending free agency and said: “I can’t go out here and put all my trust and loyalty into something when nobody has given loyalty to me.”
Um, huh?
Sheffield is playing for his seventh team. The thinking is, he keeps running out of shrinks and has to move on to a new city. He is alternately one of the game’s greatest talents and biggest headaches. His mind works like a knuckleball — never dull, sometimes over the plate, maybe off the barn door or through the kitchen window.
After a while, you become numb to it.
“Sheff says he may retire? That’s nice.”
GQ magazine just gave Sheffield a forum for his thoughts.
Fire, meet gas can.
Sorry. But there comes a point when, “That’s Sheff,” doesn’t explain everything, and we just reached it.
When asked in the current issue of GQ about the decline of African-American players in Major League Baseball, Sheffield said: “I called it years ago. What I called is that you’re going to see more black faces, and there ain’t no English going to be coming out. [It’s about] being able to tell [Latin players] what to do — being able to control them. Where I’m from, you can’t control us. You might get a guy to do it for a while because he wants to benefit, but in the end he’s going to go back being who he is. And that’s a person that you’re going to talk to with respect, you’re going to talk to like a man. These are the things my race demands. So, if you’re equally good as this Latin player, guess who’s going to get sent home? I know a lot of players that are home now can outplay a lot of these guys.”
Al Campanis was run out of baseball after saying African-Americans “may not have some of the necessities to be, let’s say, a field manager, or, perhaps, a general manager.”
Question: Is what Sheffield said any less inflammatory?
He just demeaned all Latin players, suggesting they’re only here because they’re easy to handle.
He demeaned mostly-white front-office officials, saying personnel decisions aren’t really based on talent.
He sort of demeaned his own race, suggesting African-Americans are harder to control.
At least he’s an equal-opportunity offender.
Richard Levin, MLB vice president for public relations, was asked about Sheffield’s comments. “Consider the source,” he said.
As to whether Sheffield will be disciplined, Levin said, “It hasn’t hit the radar screen.”
This is how we translate: “Let’s see how big the brush fire gets.”
I’m not campaigning against free speech. But racially divisive comments, particularly inaccurate ones, shouldn’t be quietly dismissed.
If you were a Latin player, how would you take suggestions that you’re here only because you’re easy to handle?
Eddie Perez is from Venezuela. He was a teammate of Sheffield’s with the Braves. He said “wow” twice after reading the comments, then shook his head.
“That’s going to hurt a lot of people,” he said. “I don’t know [if he’ll be suspended], but somebody needs to say something.”
Perez wanted to be guarded in his comments, saying, “I’m not a player anymore.” But he added: “I don’t think we’re taking anybody’s food off the table. We’re just putting food on the table for us.
“They’re paying Latin players lots of money. But it’s not because they like us — it’s because we’re doing good. When we play, we play hard. You don’t hear too many Latin players talk a lot of trash.”
Andruw Jones (Curaçao) declined comment. So did two other links to Sheffield’s Braves past, Bobby Cox (though he did roll his eyes) and Terry Pendleton. So did Willie Harris, the Braves’ lone African-American.
Edgar Renteria, a Columbian, played with Sheffield in Florida. He likes him personally but was thrown by the comments. “What is he talking about when he says, ‘control’? What does that mean?” Renteria said.
“Latin players — we come here to play the game. That’s it. We’re not here to be a martyr. We’re here to play the game.”
Sounds simple. Maybe too simple for a mind like Sheffield’s to comprehend.
Permalink | Comments (162) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Jeff Schultz
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Matthew At The SLC
June 4, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
The MLB personel hack got it right. “Consider the source.”
But here’s the rub. Who can imagine Terence Moore sitting at home in his tastefully appointed den, opening up his GQ, reading Sheffield’s comments, and AGREEING with EVERYTHING Sheffield said? I know I can. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised Jeff Schultz, if ole’ Terrence gives you the cold shoulder for being such an insensitive racist. Or if the Jesse Jackson Rainbow guys who called John Kinkaid a “good ole’ boy” (yes, someone called that yankee a “good ole’ boy) flew down to Atlanta tomorrow morning to protest your insensitive racism. Then again, if they’re friends of Jesse Jackson, they’re probably anti-Semites… so you’re SOL either way, Schultz.
By Me
June 4, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
Baseball is a business. If you can play the game you’ll have a job. If you can’t you won’t. It’s that simple.
By Me
June 4, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this
Baseball is a business. If you can play the game you’ll have a job. If you can’t you won’t. It’s that simple.
By Anonymous2
June 4, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this
Sheffield is just another ignoramus who happens to play baseball. Because he is black, everyone is afraid to take him to task for his demeaning comments about Latin players. You can bet your mortgage payment Bud Selig, the Sphinx, is not going to say anything to him, much less punish him. Perhaps if MLB had a real commissioner, Sheffield would sit out a month or two without a paycheck. But the owners don’t want a real commissioner, they want that dunderhead who currently sits in the commissioner’s chair.
By Tony
June 4, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this
Shef is a joke………But nothing will be done about it……..Let a white guy say the things he did and watch Al and Jesse bust a cornary !
By Creed
June 4, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this
Paris Hilton. Gary Sheffield. Why do we care? I don’t. I just wasted 5 minutes of my life. Again.
By Just a Baseball Fan Who Loathes ALL Racists
June 4, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
Gary Sheffield = Dumb@$$
Technically, Sheffield has now demonstrated himself to be a HATE-Filled, Self-agrandizing, Self-Pitying, Jealous Dumb@$$ with a *H-U-G-E * chip on his shoulder.
Assuming Mr. Sheffield knows how to read, which seems a bit dubious after his latest comments, he should read up Jackie Robinson if he TRULY wants to understand what persecution, persecution and REAL adversity is like.
Why is John ” I’m a Dumb@$$, Too ” Rocker a racist for equally stupid comments and Gary “I Don’t Like Tacos” Sheffield apparently not held in the same regard????? ( HINT: “Sheff” is the oppressed minority, or so he apparently likes to think of himself, and therefore gets to benefit from a double-standard aspect of life in 21st Century P-C America. )
WHAT - EV - ER!!!
Mr. Sheffield, please have someone read or tell you the story of the abuse and hate and jealousy Jackie Robinson or Hank Aaron had to endure, let that sink in that thick skull of yours, be thankful you get paid million$$$ to PLAY A GAME while acting like a racist, jealous jack@$$ and tried not to get beaned by one of the Latin pitchers you have now offended.
Oh, I’m sorry, Gary. Do you feel like Mr. Robinson and Mr. Aaron were being controlled by “THE MAN” for being both great ballplayers AND decent human beings to those ( THE FANS ) who made their lives a great reality, Gary?????
When you come to Atlanta in a couple of weeks to peddle and sign your new coloring book, Gary, perhaps I will gather up my best friend ( a great guy of Latin Descent and a baseball player ) and his family to come see you at Barnes & Noble so you can spew hateful venom to them in person.
As an umpire might tell you during a game when you start whining like an unruly child over the strike zone, Gary: “Shut Up, and PLAY BALL !!!!!! ”
Please Be a Racist on Your Own Time, Gary, and not while you are representing AMERICA’S GAME that belongs to ALL OF US.
Have a nice day, Mr. Sheffield.
Racist Dumb@$$.
By Kentavo
June 4, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this
I think Sheff’s punishment should be that he’s traded to Chicago White Sox and has to be managed by Ozzie Guillen.
By Chris
June 4, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this
I would like to see what he tells his kids if they talk back to their teachers! good job kids,speak your mind, get suspended from school, its ok, you spoke your mind, the principal and the teachers just don’t like you, its probably because of the color of your skin”!!!!
By Just a Baseball Fan Who Loathes ALL Racists
June 4, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this
RE: I think Sheff’s punishment should be that he’s traded to Chicago White Sox and has to be managed by Ozzie Guillen. - Kentavo
Kudos, Kentavo!.
That is an EXCELLENT idea.
By Joe Smoe
June 5, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
He left the Asians out however, or he just ran out of time.
Why does race always have to be such a issue? Its baseball, either you can play or you cant. The better you play, the better you get paid. When a homerun is hit by your home team, there is no racial lines, all you think about is winning. I dont care who you are.
By Tampaparrotthead
June 5, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this
The only positive thing that I’ll say about Sheff, other than his obvious on-field talent (who’s bat moves thru the strike zone quicker?) is that at least while he was with the Braves he pretty much done his job and kept his big mouth shut.
I’m now lumping him in the same bunch of bananas with Joe Morgan, Oprah Winfrey and the afore mentioned Rev’s Jackson and Sharpton… racist all!
The TPH
By Rod
June 5, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe Gary “can’t even hit .200 in the playoffs” Sheffield. What a joke. What don’t you go play for Dusty Baker where it’s warm. Why don’t you tell Albert Pujols that he’s only around since he’s easy to handle.
Hey Pujols, Pudge, A-Rod, Beltran, did you know you guys have no talent? Amazing, I must be blind, cause I thought you were pretty good myself.
Anyway, I agree. Bring on Ozzie!
By Najeh Davenpoop
June 5, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this
I loved watching Sheff play when he was a Brave, and from a purely on-the-field point of view I wish the Braves had found a way to keep him around. That said, I have to agree with everyone else here — the guy isn’t doing himself, his own race, or anyone else any favors with his misguided comments. If anything, his comments are exactly the opposite of the truth — Latin and white players have proven themselves to be equally likely to be “hard to control” as black players in the major leagues. What people don’t seem to realize is that when you are running a billion dollar business, you simply can’t afford to discriminate based on race.
By Mike
June 5, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this
Sheffield is a dumba**. What’s new. I was hoping a few years ago he would have improved. But no. You CAN count on him to go south in October. Always has. Like his buddy Bonds. He can’t win a championship because he’s a selfish jerk. His comments were stupid and racist, but he won’t answer for them. Nobody really cares anymore. There is no chance ANY player will stick on a major league team unless they help the team WIN. Then, baseball doesn’t care if you’re green with pink polka dots and speak Hungarian. I’ll tell you what race Gary is an affront to: the human race.
By Ken Stallings
June 5, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this
It was a stupid comment that unfortunately is going to get more airplay and analysis that the comments deserve. Yes, positively insulting to everyone.
It was a cruel and thoughtless comment and I do believe it will again show a double standard.
I remember how John Rocker was excoriated for his insensitive comments. But, nothing Rocker said approaches this. This wasn’t some half-cocked taunting comment like Rocker’s. This was a carefully considered and deeply held statement of conviction.
Unfortunately, a statement that bluntly expressed a victim’s mentality and a sincere holding of animosity against various peoples because of national origin.
For a man who publicly exclaims his religious conviction, Sheffield needs to analyze his motivations and value systems. It doesn’t pass the fairness standard, much less the racial equality standard.
Al Campanis didn’t say what he said out of anger or animosity. He was an old man who made a foolish remark. Sheffield’s statement is filled with anger and resentment.
And more is the pity for him for holding it.
By Bobblehead
June 5, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this
Black, White, Latin, can’t we all just get along. If a ballplayer was purple, if he could pitch like Satchel Page, Tom Seaver, or Bob Gibson he’d have a contract, long term. If there was a ballplayer with the caliber of Hank Aaron, long term contract. Manage like Connie Mack or Sparky Anderson, contract. Latin ballplayers want it, IT, more that African Americans, and I am Black. They put in the long long hours practicing plus baseball is harder to practice than basketball which is where our youth are heading, plus not as glamours as football too. Usually basketball or football pays more in the short term but in the long term, A-Rod bets them all.
By TruthHurts
June 5, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this
I respect Sheffield for speaking his mind and not being afraid of being honest. Too many guys go with the “company line” to appease everyone else. I guarantee Sheff sleeps better than all of those guys. Too many people choose being liked over being respected but Sheff doesn’t seem to be one who puts a lot of stock in being liked. And you’ve have never and will never see another MLB player disrespect Sheff…
And I don’t always agree with him but I see that he has a lot of self respect which is not a common thing in the media explotied sports world today.
By Paddyoski
June 5, 2007 2:00 AM | Link to this
Sigh
Gary the Socialogist is free to speak his mind and then count himself among the paranoid, jealous, ignorant and bigoted. As if we’d expect anything else from this nutjob. I wonder if some easily-controlled Latino pitcher is going to suddenly lose control of a fastball? Better not dig-in too deeply, Shef, or it’s Adios, Muchacho!
By Heck's Kitchen
June 5, 2007 2:34 AM | Link to this
Regarding: And I don’t always agree with him but I see that he has a lot of self respect which is not a common thing in the media explotied sports world today.
Let’s be careful to not confuse Sheffield’s “self respect” with SELFISHNESS.
By astralboy
June 5, 2007 3:13 AM | Link to this
I guess if what old Sheff says is true, he better be looking for a new line of work. Cause one of them “easy to control Latinos” is eying his job right now. Just another example of folks thinking that anything other than talent and ability gets you to the pros in any major US sport. It ain’t character, and it sure ain’t color. If Charles Manson could throw 95+, he’d be doing it in MLB. Even if he painted himself purple. And one more point. A while back someone on here said that Boby Cox should stop arguing with the umps and getting tossed, cause they never saw an umpire change a call. Well, go to youtube and type in “pine tar incident”. Need I say more??
By Scott
June 5, 2007 3:51 AM | Link to this
Sheffield won’t get into trouble because he’s black. If it were a white guy that said that, the whole media would be going nuts right now. It’s a double standard that the United States lives by.
By Anthony Knipe
June 5, 2007 4:34 AM | Link to this
Sheffield is right on with his comments. Major League Baseball has been doing what all other American businesses have been doing for the past decade - cutting costs by importing foreign workers.
Consider this from vdare.com:
Dick Balderson, the Colorado Rockies’ Vice President of Player Personnel, said
“Instead of signing four (American) guys at $25,000 each, you sign 20 Dominican guys for $5,000 each. The unfortunate thing about this game is that there are so many people yearning to play it especially in a country like the Dominican Republic, where $1,000-a-year wages are the norm and baseball is a religion practiced by the impoverished.”
Roided up Latin players are running fair playing Americans out of the sport.
By Chip
June 5, 2007 4:56 AM | Link to this
Jeff Schultz, did you run out of things to say about the players in your own town? take a look around. Boy, it sure seems as if some of you are missing his talent. Why don’t you listen to the entire statement in context? It sounds like another case of Don Imus- people without sin casting the first stone. I live in East Cobb, so I am not some person from Detroit writing in to defend Sheffield. I am simply irritated that Jeff Schultz, who is a great columnist, has to resort to such a weak story (in my opinion). I also understand the anger that many of you feel for Sheffield leaving Atlanta.
By Dictator
June 5, 2007 5:11 AM | Link to this
you all are being SOOOOOO typically white. he didn’t say that ALL latin players were here because they were easier to handle, so the A-Rod, Pudge, Beltran comment someone made is IDIOTIC. And to say baseball is a business and if you could play, you would. Do we forget the whole MLB and Negro league separate? Do you all REALLY think that baseball is doing as much as it can to help inner city African American make it to the league as it does in Latin Countries? NOOOO! That is the bottom line: They aren’t putting there resources here, in inner city America but rather foreign countries whose players they can manipulate and get at a much younger age. That is there business: PROFIT
By Yars
June 5, 2007 5:35 AM | Link to this
Sheffield is still a great player. I hope he plays a few more seasons and makes a run at the Hall of Fame. However, this race card thing is played out. Blaming white, & even latino players for the decrease of blacks in MLB is silly. Those of color have the same opportunities as everyone else. Everyone knows why there aren’t more blacks in MLB. Most black youths today find basketball & football more appealing. Don’t give me crap about how latino players are easy to control. If you have the talent & play hard, you will be rewarded. MLB is no different than the NBA or NFL in that aspect. Also, having a cocky attitude does not help.
By Yars
June 5, 2007 5:38 AM | Link to this
Scott……..excellent post. I agree with you 100%.
By Coach
June 5, 2007 5:56 AM | Link to this
All I know is if I’m Sheffield I really am not looking forward to when I’m facing a mean Latin pitcher….
By doc
June 5, 2007 5:59 AM | Link to this
all shef has done is make sure he doesnt have a job in baseball after his career is through. sadly, he will scream racism and maybe a wonder if it is the color of his skin rather than the effect he has had on others and the numbers he has offended. basically he has now labeled latinos as the new uncle tom.
is shef’s statement just an excuse looking for a cause?
ultimately we are left to accept him and forgive his ignorance.
how unlike rocker is this? wasnt his comments as equally as inflammatory? luckily for shef there is a double standard at work and it is working in his favor if the pr man can only retort consider the source. maybe that is really how we should look at all transgresssions whether they are of the ilk of rocker, campanis. cosell or shef.
way to go shef you have pointed out how unequal things are only for this one it is in your favor.
By Lou
June 5, 2007 6:10 AM | Link to this
It’s perfectly OK to make racist comments against Hispanics and whites when you’re black——where’s Terrence Moore, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson? I haven’t heard them speak up.
By raleturn
June 5, 2007 6:22 AM | Link to this
While it is easy to disregard Mr. Sheffield’s comments, what bothers me worse is the negative response to such. It is the ability to have an open dialogue on controverial subjects that allows progress to be mad in social justice.
For example Brown vs The Board of Education was probably one of the worst Supreme Court rulings every made, but needless to say we are a nation of laws is the reason the United States have adopted accordingly.
No other country that I am aware of is made up of such a diverse cultural population. At one time this concept was perceived as being a melting pot; however, reality dictates that it has became a boling pot.
Sociology 101 teaches a concept of Adaptation and Assimilation. In other words when one is a living as a minority in a culture it is common for the minority to adapt the norms of the majority and assimilate them into their lives in order to function as a productive member of society. The consquences of not adapting and assimilating is alienation and that of be ostracized.
Our society has learned to place far more importance on political correctness vs. factual correctness. A good example of this is the synergy theory being pitted against Darwinism. Under Darwinism the weak die off; under the synergy theory the strong carry the weak.
I realize I risk the wrath attributed to Mr. Sheffield, because I do not share a popular opinion. It is a sad state when few African-Americans possess the cognitive stimulis to engage in a intellectual diallogue without attempting to impugn one’s character based upon ideological differences. Of course I am sure the words racist will be used to attack me, but that only shows me that it is much easier to attack the messagenger than it is the message. For the word racist is often used to stir an emotional response when a person can not defend his or her position academically.
By BOBO
June 5, 2007 6:27 AM | Link to this
I guess Carlos Zambrano fits the mold that Sheffield suggests - or maybe not. The problem exists in that many African-Americans feel that the world owes them without giving back or really earning what they get. Life is all about individual responsibility. Sheffield should get up off his high horse and be like more like Michael Jordan and other high profile black athletes and develop programs in his community that benefits the sport that has given him so much, including a forum to vent his hate.
By Top Dawg
June 5, 2007 6:46 AM | Link to this
I have a good friend whose last name is Sheffield. Now, I am going to recommend he change his last name. Gary = Loser.
By Top Dawg
June 5, 2007 6:53 AM | Link to this
Hey “raleturn”, how about studying a little English compozishun before you rite on this blog??? Or, is that something you “can not” do? Note: I did not call you racist, just empty.
And by the way, where were you when Imus engaged in his open dialogue? I did not read anything from you then championing the virtues of a social debate…..
By Ann
June 5, 2007 6:56 AM | Link to this
I’ve been saying forever that MLB should limit the number of players brought in from other countries. Are they easier to control - everyone is until they make it then they think they can’t be replaced. Gary is a great player but his attitude will always get him in trouble!!!!!
By Dick
June 5, 2007 7:15 AM | Link to this
Sheffield, Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, Ted kennedy, Hillary Clinton. Same message comes out of both holes.
By Don
June 5, 2007 7:16 AM | Link to this
Rocker got suspended and fined for what he said in the press.
Imus got fired for what he said.
How is this any different?
By raleturn
June 5, 2007 7:21 AM | Link to this
Thank you top dog for your input. I acknowledge that a rough draft posted in a public forum is not the optimum means of gaining support.
As far as not defending Imus, I only came by this blog by accident this morning by accident. However it is a sad state that a person can be terminated for sharing his opinion. I work in an environment where statistics is of the utmost importance, umlike the written word. If Imus based his opinion on his historical evidence the they did look like a bunch of “nappy headed hos” to him then he is interpreting subjectice data. The only way to determine if they were what he spoke of was to gain objective data by observing them in person. While others may not share the same position there is not wrong about him airing his.
Now for further evidence of hypocrisy in the media is when Michael Irvin can comment on that Tony Romo, the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, can only be as good as he is because there must have been some “black” blood in his ancestory. As of yet I have not read or heard where the media w******* of the out of touch black elite have ever addressed that issue. It appears there does to be a doable standard that people are held to.
By raleturn
June 5, 2007 7:21 AM | Link to this
Thank you top dog for your input. I acknowledge that a rough draft posted in a public forum is not the optimum means of gaining support.
As far as not defending Imus, I only came by this blog by accident this morning by accident. However it is a sad state that a person can be terminated for sharing his opinion. I work in an environment where statistics is of the utmost importance, umlike the written word. If Imus based his opinion on his historical evidence the they did look like a bunch of “nappy headed hos” to him then he is interpreting subjectice data. The only way to determine if they were what he spoke of was to gain objective data by observing them in person. While others may not share the same position there is not wrong about him airing his.
Now for further evidence of hypocrisy in the media is when Michael Irvin can comment on that Tony Romo, the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, can only be as good as he is because there must have been some “black” blood in his ancestory. As of yet I have not read or heard where the media w******* of the out of touch black elite have ever addressed that issue. It appears there does to be a double standard that people are held to.
By raleturn
June 5, 2007 7:21 AM | Link to this
Thank you top dog for your input. I acknowledge that a rough draft posted in a public forum is not the optimum means of gaining support.
As far as not defending Imus, I only came by this blog by accident this morning by accident. However it is a sad state that a person can be terminated for sharing his opinion. I work in an environment where statistics is of the utmost importance, umlike the written word. If Imus based his opinion on his historical evidence the they did look like a bunch of “nappy headed hos” to him then he is interpreting subjectice data. The only way to determine if they were what he spoke of was to gain objective data by observing them in person. While others may not share the same position there is not wrong about him airing his.
Now for further evidence of hypocrisy in the media is when Michael Irvin can comment on that Tony Romo, the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, can only be as good as he is because there must have been some “black” blood in his ancestory. As of yet I have not read or heard where the media w******* of the out of touch black elite have ever addressed that issue. It appears there does to be a double standard that people are held to.
By nice
June 5, 2007 7:36 AM | Link to this
Just remember…if it wasnt for the white man there would be no baseball.
By DieHardBrave
June 5, 2007 7:41 AM | Link to this
While the likes of Eddie Perez, Andruw Jones, and Bobby Cox were being asked to comment on Sheffield’s comments, someone should have asked John Rocker what he thought about Sheffield’s comments.
By nupe
June 5, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this
I hate to say this but Sheff is right if you dive further into it. Understand something anytime you get someone who comes from a very porr background and give them thigs that they never thought they would have before the will conform i.e. latin players from their countries, most of these players didn’t half things that we who grew up here in america think are normal to have so they conform until they retire. Unfortunately most black men have to conform to corporate america or they will not make it at all and if they do speak out them they are quickly taken care of. Those of you who keep saying consider the source are the same ones who say everyone is treated equally in corporate america you need to get a grip on reality. Let’s face it racism exist it always has and always will you just have to be honest with yourself and learn how to deal with it. I have I am in a interracial marriage.
By Savannah Guy
June 5, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this
Forget race: these were scrambled thoughts and acidic comments coming from a pickled brain that craves attention but is too dense to screen what comes out of his mouth. Look for more of the same as his career continues to wane.
By gatorhater
June 5, 2007 7:52 AM | Link to this
Don- The answer to your question is simple- He is black! We live in a double-standard society. If your our colored people (I guess that is what NAACP stands for), it is ok to say whatever you want without consequences. Colored people have no problem if their own throw careless comments out there….just as long as it is not someone else talking negatively about them. Michael Richards say n#$%r on stage and gets crucified. Jamie Foxx and Chris Rock say it 30 times during a performance, but there is no problem with that. How does that make sense??
By Marshall Dillon
June 5, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this
Without a doubt, Gary Sheffield is one of the most miserable human beings the Good Lord ever put on this planet.
Everywhere he’s ever been, “Sheff” has whined, and complained, and moaned, and belly-ached … all while getting paid tens of millions of dollars to play a child’s game.
It’s ungrateful wretches like Sheffield who make it SO hard to be a sports fan in the 21st century.
By reality one
June 5, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this
Show me a black man that speaks his mind in corporate america and doesn’t conform and I will show you a black man who has worked for several different fortune 500 companies i.e. Shef. Latin players don’t talk because they are just happy to be here from those rat infested places where they grew up but give them a few years and you will start to hear them come out. Beware latin players because you are about to start breaking tons of records that were put up by white players and it is then that you will start to catch it.
By nupe
June 5, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
Savannah Guy that was nice and it would be nice to forget race but nobody ever does- think to yourself do you say I have a good friend or I have a good black or white friend. be real to yourself. I at least respect gary for speaking his mind the problem is people don’t want to hear the truth they want everything sugarcoated
By Charles
June 5, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this
It may be a cliché, but “there is no ‘I’ in TEAM” applies to the Gary Sheffields in baseball. I never understood why the Braves brought him here in the first place. There’s no question he had talent - but to what cost to the unity of the team? His acquisition ranked right up there with allowing Deion Sanders to play with the Braves.
Hopefully, the Braves have learned their lesson and won’t allow players like Sheffield or Roger Clemens (who are in it for themselves) to play for them and destroy the ‘team concept’ ever again.
By Drew
June 5, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
I hope this article get national exposure, like the John Rocker issue. So called reverse discrimination is no more justifiable than the opposite (evil white man) discrimination. Heck, the term reverse in this context is discriminatory.
By quint
June 5, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this
Wow! Did Sheffield just say that black people are incapable of change? That you can take the man out of the ghetto but not the ghetto out of the man?
I hate to tell him, but black people do not have a market on that. There are a lot of trashy white folks too. I’ll bet you can find people of all races who “can’t be controlled” regardless of their racial, geographical, or socio-economical backgrounds.
Then there are some who can rise above their childhoods and their up-bringings. Some can appreciate their opportunities and talents and make the most of both. Others can not.
Maybe Gary needs to realize that it really is talent, skill, and determination that rules supreme in baseball. After all, he is generally acknowledged to be one of Major League Baseball’s biggest jerks and yet he makes millions of dollars and has been playing professionally for 20 years. So his argument doesn’t hold water. He is a jerk with a job. Uneducated and ignorant and making millions. Complete jerk, “uncontrollable,” but with a job.
He is right about one thing, though. If I had two players of equal talent and skill, one of whom was a professional and did his job the way he was asked, came to work with a burning desire to succeed, always gave his best, and acted like he appreciated his position, while the other, though equally gifted and skilled, got into trouble off the field, complained to the media, friends and coaches, and pouted and loafed when things didn’t go his way, yes I would hire the professional and not the punk.
And by the way, Sheff, it is not managers, coaches, the commissioner, or even the almighty dollar controlling those other players: they are controlling themselves. Who controls you?
By The Grinch
June 5, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
I imagine Sheffield needs quite the “posse” to keep from getting his @$$ kicked everywhere he goes. What a fool.
By Matthew At The SLC
June 5, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this
To the moron who said “Brown v. BoE” was the worst Supreme Court decision ever made: dude, you need to get your facts in line. “Brown v. BoE” changed a truly horrible Supreme Court ruling in “Plessy v. Ferguson” by using the 14th Amendment to illustrate the fact that the idea of “seperate but equal” is a complete falacy with regards to education. The ruling would go on to set continued precedent in other cases against segregation as well. Now, if you want to talk about some truly bad Supreme Court decisions, where the Supreme Court invented new law from the “penumbra” of the Bill of Rights, then we can talk about “Roe v. Wade,” which even liberal law professsors and even Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a staunch advocate of abortion, will tell you is some of the sloppiest, most blatantly biased law interpretation ever in the history of this country. We’re talking about professors from Harvard and Yale (two insanely liberal institutions) disagreeing with “Roe.” A Yale professor by the name of John Ely said that the “Roe” decision has absolutely no basis in Constitutional Law, and doesn’t even pretend to have any. Or how about “Lochner v. New York” where the elite members of the Supreme Court basically set back safe, sanitary working conditions for workers and the consumers’ right to eat healthy, disease-free food about 40 years because they believed in an outdated economic theory. You should read Justice Harlan’s dissent on that case. I also recommend that you read his dissent on “Plessy.” One of the greatest Justices of all time, Justice Harlan. A great man. Slaveholder born in Kentucky, fought for the Union in the Civil War, and became a great champion of unbiased Constitutional Law. Was the only Justice to vote against striking down the Civil Rights Acts of the 1870’s and 1880’s.
For you, raleturn, to call “Brown” one of the worst Supreme Court decisions of all time just illustrates your absolute ignorance of not only Constitutional Law, but of human decency as well. Dude, you need to get out of here with that weak stuff.
By John Austin
June 5, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this
Sheffield is right.Atlanta is a good example. Every time they aquire an afro-america player, they trade them. They keep the latino plyers because they’re not outspoken. Andrew Jones stop kissing a*. I bet you’re next to go. The Dale Murphys, Chipper and Francona are the white glory boys of the south.
By aw
June 5, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
I don’t agree with how Mr. Sheffield posted his comments, but I do agree that MLB has only a handfull of African American Baseball Players. The league needs to visit the amount of African American Players versus Latinos, Asians and Whites as far as I am concerned. This all starts at the college level, you see the same lack of in all Division One Sports be it baseball, football, basketball, etc. It is the same at the coaching level, there is a disparity of African Americans at all level of play although there are a great many qualified to do the job. Sheffield is correct in one Regard, the system of decision makers have always for what ever reseaon be fearful of the visibility of African Americans. Sure they will market Products in baseball, but you will rarely see African Americans making decisions for the team and the sport.
By crackbaby
June 5, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this
Shef and John Rocker are both classic examples of stupid human beings who happen to be able to play baseball. They are lucky to have that ability.
Lower your expectations, Schultz…
By Observer
June 5, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this
Hey, any chance we can get one of those “easy-to-control” Latin players to replace Barry Bonds?
By Orlando
June 5, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
I applaud gary for speaking his mind. I think most on here are hating on him cause he is rich. Latino players are less outspoken, and the reason may be cause they dont know that much English. Ever thought about that? All you on here need a life. Do you really think Gary gives a rats butt what you think of him? You are all losers who probably had a dream of playing baseball and never made it. Don Imus got fired cause he said something stupid, Gary said the truth, there is a difference. And, yes there is a double standard in America, but remember, Blacks didnt make the rules, we just learned how to play by them a little different. Now, live with it!
By Adam
June 5, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
Gary Sheffield….Why don’t you focus on playing at a higher level when it actually matters….IN THE POST SEASON!!!! I may listen to your bone-headed comments if you did not bat .063 and .143 when you played in Atlanta during the post season. On top of that your .243 career post season batting average is horrible….you get a hit less than 25% of the time!!! The reason there are more lating players than african american probably have to do with their skill and not their skin! You shoujld be so lucky you are still employed because when it comes to crunch time, you just pack it in and go home!
By nupe
June 5, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Orlando it could not have been said any better than that!!!
By Bill
June 5, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
THIS IS PERFECT! This shows you how messed up this country is. An “african-american” can say all the racist things he wants and get away with it. If a white person makes a small joke, he gets fired. Where are racist Al and racist Jacka_s Jackson now? Why are they not calling for Sheffields head? Boy this country would be a better place without the darkys. Atlanta’s murder rate is up 22%, gee I wonder why?
By Matthew At The SLC
June 5, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
Orlando, I’d love to introduce you to Ozzie Guillan so he can punch you in the mouth for making broad, sweeping generalizations about his ethnicity. Prejudiced a-hole.
By boyd
June 5, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
Racism is wrong, no matter what the color of the racist. It’s a great compliment to Bobby Cox’s people skills that he was able to run a happy ship during Sheffield’s (mercifully) brief time in Atlanta.
By Savannah Guy
June 5, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
By nupe: I think you missed my point, as there was no sugar coating in my 7:48 post. In fact, the worst insult I could think of is to call in to question someones self awareness, thier selfish motivations and thier inability to communicate in a rational manner…such as sad characters like Sheffield. It is not a race issue, it’s a human condition. Ignorance knows no color, it is an equal opportunity failure of logic and reason.
Surely this article and the blog will attract black and white bigots and racists all day long who will add to the polarizing clutter that has become America. That’s unfortunate, because the solution to any problems that exist between races (or anyone else with different demographic profiles) is not to throw a general label onto those that are different or jump on a bandwagon with those that happen be the same color or nationality as you. Hey, this ain’t Polyanna stuff and I don’t expect us to all instantly group hug and sing kumbaya together. But it is the truth.
Didn’t mean to give a sermon. Let’s just, for once, call it something other than race. Even if it IS race to Sheffield, that doesn’t mean we have to perpetuate the ignorance and bias. We just have to put his comment…and him…in perspective. As another earlier blogger posted…just consider the source and move on.
Truth: Racism can only thrive in an ignorant, selfish and cruel person. Those that make racist comments simply demonstrate it in themselves and perpetuate it in those that are just as limited.
By Don
June 5, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
Too bad Juan Marichal isn’t still pitching. Sheffield’s mouth would be wired shut for a while after Marichal hit him. Oh wait…never mind Marichal is Latin so MLB would have control over him,his pitches…and his bat.
By Leon
June 5, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
Sheffield is 100% right! The racist white man has been keeping the black brothers down—that’s why they aren’t more brothers playing baseball. More people need to speak up to break up this plantation system run by all these rich white professional sports owners.
By Gene
June 5, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
Does Sheffield have a World Series ring?
By Don
June 5, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
i guess the Cubs need to get rid of Zambrano since they “can’t control him”. Maybe they should trade him to Detroit, so that Sheffield can help him out.
By Hasavior
June 5, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
If racism is wrong, lobby for reparations for those who has suffered the most due to racism. Those who repair should be the group that benefited the most from racism.
We will always see black and white in America, it will never go away or dilute itself. Racism is social fabric and pulse of America.
Point Blank.
By gdg73
June 5, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
WHO CARES? Why should we care about a former Atlanta player and his off field comments/actions? However, since we are on the subject, what’s up with Patrick Kerney and that rape case?
By Johnny Evans
June 5, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
i AM WHITE==sUSPEND sHEFFIELD==hE IS LIKE HOLLYWOOD STARS==THINK THEY CAN SAY ANYTHING THEY DESIRE=yES FREEDOM OF SPEECH=bUT WHY USE HIS JOB’S POWER TO GET TO THE MEDIA=TO GET HIS QUOTES IN THE MEDIA= 30 GAMES SUSPENSION WITHOUT PAY====EVEN THAT IS TO LOW==lET THE FOOTBALL COMMISSIONER TAKE ACTION AGAINST HIM== i SAY PUT THE BEST PLAYER ON THE FIELD==AND THAT IS NOT ALWAYS THE BIG MONEY PLAYERS=bIG MONEY PEOPLE PLAY BECAUSE OF THEIR SALARY=aND MANY TIMES THE BIG MONEY PLAYERS ARE NOT THE BEST FOR THE TEAM==lOOK AT THE yANKEES===BIG MONEY DOES NOT JELL BETWEEN THE FIRST AND THIRD BASE LINE==OR IN THE CLUB HOUSE== i BELIEVE EGO’S IS WHY MOST BIG MONEY TEAMS HAS SO MANY ISSUES= lOOK AT THE CUB’S i THINK LOU WILL CLEAN THE EGO ISSUE UP-IF MANAGEMENT GIVES HIM FREE REIGN=I ALSO BELIEVE OTHER MANAGERS COULD DO THE SAME==BUT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE EGO’S LIKE SHEFFIELD=I WAS HAPPY TO SEE HIM LEAVE THE BRAVES=LOOKS LIKE THE YANKS WAS ALSO HAPPY TO SEE HIM LEAVE==
I JUST DO NOT UNDERSTAND==WHY COLOR ON ONE’S SKIN’S HAS TO BE A ISSUE==ALL ARE HUMAN=AND SHOULD BE TREATED THAT WAY==EARN THE JOB BASED ON SKILL=THEN USE THAT SKILL WHEN ON THE CLOCK= JOHNNY L. EVANS CHESAPEAKE, VA
By fan
June 5, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
I agree that Sheff sucks, ALSO I once had a professor who threatened to fail us on the spot for mis-spelling Colombia as “Columbia”…Mr. Schultz, I think you’d be gone. Come on guys, you’re better than that.
By ThaMan
June 5, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
Here’s a fact. Blacks can say anything they want. They are protected and have a different standard. They are way too FRAGILE to handle derogatory comments because of a complete lack of true confidence. They have no true self respect, therefore, they can’t give any respect. How many times do they kill each other because someone “looked at them wrong” or disrespected them? It happens every day. They , in no way, will ever be team players. It’s just the facts, Mam.
By Gen Neyland
June 5, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
Freedom of speech. Seems we all want to draw the line where sensitivity affects us individually, or in a mob scene senerio, collectively. People will say stupid things. For one, crying racism after stupid things are said. As we all should practice the Golden Rule, one should also recant, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me.” The media has a wonderful habit of making the news news (especially when the issue can be determined to be of racial connotations) then allowing the readership to play judge and jury, thereby trying people in the court of public opinion…Turns out the bigot in us all that buy into it…
By sj
June 5, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Er… Gary, ‘Latin’ is not a race. Maybe your steroid use diverted your cardiac output from your brain to your skeletal muscles….supreme fast-twitch function but compromised cranial capacity….Batting ave. >.300 and functional IQ 85.
Self-hate is enough to drive you to drink (or overachieve), isn’t it, Gary? No matter how many times you wash your hands they will not change color (unless you are M Jackson, of course).
This type of discussion brings out the worst in everybody…..but sells papers, right?….and gets votes and appropriations.
By Dee Culver
June 5, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
Yesterday Gary Sheffield made the statement that the Latin players did not even speak the language (English) when he murdered the language in the same sentences. He is a malcontent, always has been, always will be. Just another prima dona of baseball who, without his ability to play the sport, would probably be walking the streets causing trouble. I have had enough of Sheffield and Bonds.
By Afan
June 5, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
I think Shef is dead on…he and I are currently working with the NBA to advance the number of “English Speaking” white people playing professional basketball…Shef made a great suggestion in our recent meeting that we add an additional set of goals in the corners set at 8 feet that are painted white and to be used only by the white guys…as Shef said “white guys can’t jump……….What do you guys think?
By Charles
June 5, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
Gary Sheffield is correct but I do take issue on one account.
Gary Sheffield said, “It’s about] being able to tell [Latin players] what to do — being able to control them. Where I’m from, you can’t control us. You might get a guy to do it for a while because he wants to benefit, but in the end he’s going to go back being who he is. And that’s a person that you’re going to talk to with respect, you’re going to talk to like a man. These are the things my race demands.”
I agree that It’s about] being able to tell [Latin players] what to do — being able to control them. Here is where we differ.
The powers that be are bringing in the Latin players to gain psychological control over them and their respective communities. Psychological control may be the by-product of integration. They don’t completely dominate Latin players. Most Latin players are naive. In their minds, they are here just to play the game as we thought. In the coming years, the Latin players will be socialized and indoctrinated, psychologically controlled like African Americans unawares.
African American players were integrated into the Major Leagues, April 15, 1947, for the purpose of gaining control over our athletes and the masses. Psychological control may be the by-product of integration. It worked. In a span of sixty years, the powers that be psychologically control most African American professional athletes and their communities. They don’t need African American baseball players today. They have served their purpose. By way of professional athletes, others have gained total mental and physical control over most African Americans. Even today, it appears that most so-called educated African Americans just don’t get it.
It appears that the Latin players and their communities are next in line.
By Johnny Evans
June 5, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
WHERE IS AL==JESSE==HILLARY=HILLARY IS NOT SO SMART==SHE MARRIED BILL=DIDN’T SHE==SHE RUNS HER MOUTH FOR VOTES=AL=AND JESSE ARE FALSE TEACHERS=I HAVE NEVER FIGURED OUT WHO BUT JESSE JACKSON IN CHARGE IN THE FIRST PLACE==WHAT ARE THERE COMMENTS ON SHEF==HAS ANYONE WITH POWER ASKED THEM== HOPE THE LATIN PITCHERS REMEMBERS THESE COMMENTS WHEN THEY FACE SHEF—-BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THE DUMB BELL SELIG=WILL SUSPEND THEM IF THEY EVEN COME CLOSE TO SHEF== JOHNNY
By Darryl
June 5, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
Sounds like haterism to me. Why is it every one brings up these guys money? And just because they are well paid doesn’t mean they don’t experience racism or prejudice. So because Hank and Jackie experienced such overt racism, does it disqualify the experience of todays African-American athlete? Most of you haven’t walked in the shoes of the professional athlete, so you don’t know how it feels to be in their place. Just ask Joe Morgan about going through an airport checkpoint. Also, I don’t think Shef was being offensive to Latin players, but more than anything sticking up for them for some of the bad treatment that he might have witness them experience. Stop hating!
By jason
June 5, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
Manny Ramirez, easy to handle?
By Adam
June 5, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
Gary Sheffield should just be eternally grateful for his physical gifts as they compensate for his complete lack of mental capacity. If not for his natural talent, he would be just another “Playa” standing on the corner homeless, or in prison.
But then I suppose he lacks the intellegence to recognize that.
By NYC
June 5, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
Orlando Wrote it. Don Imus got fired cause he said something stupid, Gary said the truth, there is a difference
Hey Orlando, Jimmy the Greek said the truth too and look wht happened to him?
By Laquandra
June 5, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
You people leave Gary Sheffield alone! You all are just jealous of his talent, good look and wealth. He is a handsome Black Man. A strong Black man. A talented Black Man. A wealthy successful Black Man. And it just makes all of you haters and racists CRAZY. All of you just want to try to tear him down for speaking THE TRUTH and standing up for himself and his people. You all would do the same and you can’t say otherwise. Shame on all of you hypocrites!
And YES he do have a WORLD SERIES RING haters!
By Charles Court Jester
June 5, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
Charles - You are an idiot. Please do not reproduce. You are dangerous.
By Jason
June 5, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
Roided up Latin players are running fair playing Americans out of the sport.
Anthony…I am amazed you put your name on this drivel.
We are talking about Gary Sheffield. He works out with Barry Bonds. Barry Bonds is…well…you get the idea.
Or do you?
By LL
June 5, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
I could care less about Gary Sheffield and his opinions or his remarks……..there are a few more important things in my life to be concerned with - LIKE MY FAMILY.
By Charles
June 5, 2007 10:21 AM |