The Detroit Tigers have decided that they'd rather not see Gary Sheffield hit career home run #500 while wearing their uniform.
The club released the hard-headed, nine-time All-Star on Tuesday, just days before he has the opportunity to because the 25th player to reach the milestone. Sheff said he wasn't shocked, but was surprised by his release,
"To do this when somebody is one home run away... I don’t know how to react to it."Detroit skipper Jim Leyland didn't exactly get a good night's rest Monday night pondering the move,
"I lit two Marlboros at the same time," he said. "I couldn’t sleep. But I feel better that it’s over with than I did at 3:00 in the morning."In the final season of the $28 million, two-year contract extension he was given after being acquired from the New York Yankees for prospects, Sheffield batted just .225 with 19 home runs and 57 RBIs amidst injuries.
Word on the internets is that the Philadelphia Phillies have officially contacted the 40-year-old slugger, hoping that he's the right-handed, power-hitting corner outfielder they've been looking to score for next to nothing.
When asked by the Detroit Press if his career was over, Sheff simply said,
"No. It ain't close."Update: The Cincinnati Reds are apparently looking at the aging free agent, for a limited role on the team. Bat boy possibly?
[SI.com] | [Bless You Boys] | [Walkoff Walk] | [Roar of the Tigers]
3 comments:
What kills me is that the $14M the Tigers will have to eat on his salary is not the biggest hit they've ever taken when releasing a player.
"The Cincinnati Reds are apparently looking at the aging free agent, for a limited role on the team. Bat boy possibly?"
More like Bat Man... with less heroics.
I really feel like he should join the Oakland A's. They have a roster full of veterans, and he'd fit right in.
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