ALL'S WELL AT VERO (FOR NOW) SHEFFIELD ARRIVES, AND NOW IT'S TIME TO WAIT AND SEE.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer VERO BEACH Vero Beach (vēr`o), city (1990 pop. 17,350), seat of Indian River co., E Fla., on Indian River (a lagoon and part of the Intracoastal Waterway); founded c.1888, inc. 1919. , Fla. - There was a warm-and-fuzzy feeling permeating Dodgertown on Friday as Gary Sheffield
Gary Antonian Sheffield (born November 18, 1968 in Tampa, Florida) is a Major League Baseball designated hitter and outfielder for the Detroit Tigers. reported for work three days earlier than expected. At least the Dodgers tried to put on a happy face as Sheffield chatted with teammates, met with others, did his work - and said everything was dandy and he looked forward to being a Dodger. ``I'm just here to play good baseball, winning baseball,'' Sheffield said. ``I'm a baseball player, but things are going to be said to tarnish tarnish, n 1. surface discoloration or loss of luster by metals. Under oral conditions, it often results from hard and soft deposits. 2. a chemical process by which a metal surface is discolored or its luster destroyed. things, tarnish my image, and I'm not going to let them. I know what I stand for. I stand by it from day one, that I want to be a lifetime Dodger. I've always felt that way and that hasn't changed. ``I never said I didn't want to be (a Dodger), so I'm here and ready to play baseball, focus on baseball and just give my best. My agent (Jim Neader), we've spoke enough so (the Dodgers) know where I'm coming from. I'm just here to put on the uniform and go at it like I always have. My teammates, they understand the situation and that's what's most important to me through all of this.'' They might understand the situation, but some are taking a wait-and-see attitude. ``It's going to be interesting. Very interesting,'' Dodgers second baseman second baseman n. Baseball The infielder who is positioned near and to the first-base side of second base. Noun 1. second baseman - (baseball) the person who plays second base second sacker Mark Grudzielanek Mark James Grudzielanek (born June 30, 1970 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a second baseman in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Kansas City Royals. Previously, Grudzielanek played with the Montreal Expos (1995-1998), Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2002), Chicago Cubs said. ``I'm sure I'll say a few words to him, but it's probably one of those things where I let him come to me initially and go from there. I'm sure he's not going to talk to a lot of people for a few days until he talks to a certain few and explains himself. ``It's tough because you just can't erase it, some of the things he said. It's really one of those things of how guys are going to handle it, how the guys that were pointed out deal with it and talk to him. You can't erase what he said.'' Before practicing, Sheffield also met in a group with Carlos Perez, Kevin Brown The name Kevin Brown can refer to several different people, including the following:
Green was a 1st round draft pick, and has been a two-time major league All-Star. and Eric Karros ``A risk? C'mon, they're paying Brownie $15 million a year until he's 41,'' Sheffield was quoted as saying. ``They just gave Dreifort $55 million when he's only won 39 games in his career and had arm surgery. They gave Shawn Green $13 million at year. And how about Carlos Perez - paying him $6 million a year.'' Sheffield said Wednesday he never made those remarks, explaining he and Dreifort are good friends, and re-iterated that to teammates in the meeting. ``That's why I packed in one day and came to face these guys face to face and not hide behind a phone or things like that to address my issue,'' Sheffield said. ``I came to face it head on and deal with it as a man and we came to an understanding where those things weren't said and I'm done with it.'' Several veteran players refused to comment. Brown, who spoke with Sheffield numerous times during the last week, said he was looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. closure. ``We heard what he had to say, and as far as I'm concerned the issue is done and over with and it's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a to put the spikes on, go out and take care of the business at hand and try to have a good season as a team,'' Brown said. While Sheffield was trying to mend fences with his teammates, Dodgers brass continued trying to find a suitor SUITOR. One who is a party to a suit or action in court. One who is a party to an action. In its ancient sense, suitor meant one Who was bound to attend the county court, also, one who formed part of the secta. (q.v.) for the All-Star. Making a deal with just one team seems unlikely, so the Dodgers are trying to work a trade with either the Mets or Atlanta Braves by getting a third team involved. One baseball executive said the Dodgers realize they won't get equal value for Sheffield and are willing to acquire either Tampa Bay's Greg Vaughn or Milwaukee's Jeromy Burnitz in a three-team deal. Even so, sources said the Dodgers remain hopeful the Braves will either relent re·lent v. re·lent·ed, re·lent·ing, re·lents v.intr. To become more lenient, compassionate, or forgiving. See Synonyms at yield. v.tr. Obsolete 1. and trade catcher Javy Lopez or the Mets will deal Edgardo Alfonzo. The situation exploded Sunday when it was learned that Sheffield and Dodgers management, particularly chairman Bob Daly, feuded over Sheffield's desire to sign a contract extension that would allow him to finish his career in Los Angeles. Sheffield said he never demanded to be traded then but has to since because the Dodgers have portrayed him to be a greedy outfielder. The Dodgers have countered by saying they didn't know anything about a potential riff until two weeks ago, a charge Sheffield denies. ``One thing I hate to be called is a liar,'' Sheffield said earlier in the week. ``I'm trying to help this organization with all the moves they've made and they turn around and try to make me look bad. I said, 'Then trade me.' '' Despite putting on a happy face, the Dodgers are trying mightily to do that. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Gary Sheffield waits to take his place for a team photograph after showing up Friday at Dodgertown for his first day of practice. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press (2) Gary Sheffield talks to teammate Dave Hansen Friday in Vero Beach. Kelly Rogers/Associated Press |
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