DODGERS NOTEBOOK: SHEFFIELD WANTS SELIG TO HELP CLEAR HIS NAME SLUGGER TO SEEK HEARING AFTER SEASON ENDS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

A viral infection, which knocked 11 pounds off Dodgers left fielder Gary Sheffield, hastened his decision to serve a five-game suspension he had twice appealed. But the matter is far from over as far as the six-time All-Star is concerned.

Sheffield still wants his day with commissioner Bud Selig so he can clear his name. Even if he chose to serve the suspension because it was the best thing for the team - which was winning without him anyway - at the time.

Sheffield said he'll wait until after the season so it's not a distraction, but during the offseason he hopes to discuss his role - or lack thereof - in the May 16 fight at Wrigley Field that led to his suspension.

One of the reasons for Sheffield to take this course of action is to have the suspension, in theory, removed from his record. Thus, his reputation - which he's worked hard to build as a positive influence - would not be tarnished.

Sheffield said he took offense to attorney Greg Adamski, who represents defendant Ronald Camacho in the criminal misdemeanor case stemming from the brawl. Adamski called Sheffield a ``thug,'' although Sheffield has made it clear he was nothing more than a peacemaker in the altercation.

``I'm no thug,'' Sheffield said. ``That's my problem (with the ruling standing). I'm going to be behind my teammates 100 percent, but no matter where I've been, I'm always the one to get singled out, even if I'm the peacemaker.

``It's important to me. I'm going to address it during the offseason. I want to know what (Selig) would have done, just for my own curiosity. Just to know if he really listened to my case, which the rest of them didn't do. It was like they were listening to the case, but when it came down to the verdict, everything remained the same.''

The original suspension was handed down by Frank Robinson, vice president of on-field operations for baseball. An appeal to Paul Beeston, the COO of the office of the commissioner, was heard in June. The suspensions of 11 players were overturned, but Beeston upheld those of four players, including Sheffield.

Sheffield appealed again to Selig, and a hearing was scheduled for last Monday. However, Sheffield chose to serve the suspension when he was bedridden with a viral infection. He wound up missing 11 games before returning to the lineup Friday. He said the incident is behind him - for now.

As a marquee player and an MVP candidate until the viral infection knocked 11 games off his season, Major League Baseball asks much of Sheffield. He has hosted This Week In Baseball and has been asked numerous times to serve as an ambassador of the game. In return, Sheffield just wants a chance to appeal to Selig, baseball's highest authority.

``Any time you didn't do anything and you get falsely accused of something and you don't even know why, that's something I'm always wondering about,'' Sheffield said. ``That's going to be a problem the rest of my career. There's things I have to consider.''

--Cora's, Hansen's turn: Jeff Branson started at shortstop while Alex Cora continued to battle flu-like symptoms that forced him out of Friday's game in the sixth inning. Cora improved in the afternoon and is listed as day-to-day.

The virus has also made its way to pinch-hitter Dave Hansen, who also was feeling weak. Hansen was available to pinch hit, but he was experiencing similar symptoms to Cora. The two are the latest players to be hit with the virus that's been plaguing the Dodgers since early July.

``I've never seen it ravage a club (like this),'' Dodgers manager Davey Johnson said.

--Odds and ends: Right-hander Mike Fetters is listed as day-to-day after experiencing a shooting pain while fielding a bunt Friday. He threw pain-free on the side Saturday, but said it tightened up afterward. . . . Johnson said center fielder Devon White (strained left quadriceps) remains a few days away from being able to play in the field.