Gary Sheffield is an everyday cleanup hitter again at age 40 and relishing the role.
Sheffield knows he can produce consistently for the New York Mets – and they sure are counting on that right now.
With slugger Carlos Delgado on the disabled list for what could be a prolonged injury to his right hip, Sheffield has suddenly become quite the impressive replacement.
Its hard to defend that, when youre 40 years old, and its hard to convince somebody that you still can do what you did at 32 or 33 because you sound like the old guy hoping people believe you, Sheffield said Sunday. Its just going with the program. If you dont think I can do it, Ill sit there and be more than happy to come off the bench. But when I get the opportunity to do it, Ill go out there and do it.
And thats exactly what hes done.
A nine-time All-Star in his 23rd major league season, Sheffield headed into the Mets series finale at San Francisco on Sunday night with four straight multihit games – the first time hes done that in more than three years. He was batting .440 (11-for-25) with a home run, three RBIs, 11 runs scored and two doubles in his previous eight games.
The Mets arent looking for home runs from Sheffield but rather a focus on having solid at-bats each time he steps into the box.
I discussed that with him earlier and told him that basically were looking for a hitter, not a slugger, manager Jerry Manuel said. Hes also a guy who can run. Hes not a typical big slugger. He can be a good hitter. You like to see that instant offense but at the same time you like to see guys constantly playing the game in a format that can permeate with everybody else, and everybody else starts to do the little things.
New Yorks management certainly didnt know Sheffield would be a regular when he joined the team early last month following his release from Detroit. He later hit his 500th career home run. Sheffield was attracted to the idea of getting back to the Big Apple after he played for the Yankees from 2004-06.
His teammates are thrilled to see such a steady Sheffield at this stage of his decorated career.
Hes done it before, said third baseman David Wright, the man who helped recruit Sheffield to the Mets this spring. Hes done it his whole career. This isnt anything surprising or shocking. He has a lightning-quick bat.
Hes a bargain, too.
After being limited to 114 games because of shoulder injuries and other issues last season with the Tigers, the former first-round draft pick hit just .225 with 19 home runs and 57 RBIs. He batted .178 with five homers in 45 spring training at-bats this year.
The Tigers are responsible for $13.6 million of his $14 million contract, leaving the Mets on the hook for only the major league minimum of $400,000.
None of that matters to Sheffield, who is just happy to be back in the mix as a regular.
Its always refreshing to be getting consistent at-bats, he said. That way if you dont do something right you can go up and correct it the next time and try to improve on it every at-bat as opposed to just getting one and that being it. If it ends bad, thats your last memory until your next one. I think this is going to help me in the long run.
It doesnt hurt to be hitting between Carlos Beltran and Wright, either.
That helps a lot, Manuel said. It puts in him in a very good spot. It gives him a chance to see pitches and it gives him a chance, obviously, to see a lot of strikes. Hes a very patient hitter. Its been a real good situation for him and for us.
Manuels primary task is to monitor Sheffield in order to give him adequate rest when needed so he doesnt get fatigued and then require extra time off for his body to recover. Both the skipper and right fielder say the key is regular communication.
In fact, Manuel figured hed have to give Sheffield a day off at some point during the four-game series against the Giants, which kicked off a 10-game road trip for the Mets.
Its going to be a tough challenge, no doubt about that. I have to rely on him, Manuel said. Hes swinging the bat well and playing decent in the outfield. I asked him the other day how he feels on the bases and he said he feels good. I have to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Especially considering the Mets are on a roll in May – why mess with whats working?
At this point, I came here to win, Sheffield said. Whatever they ask me to do, Im more than willing to do it. I had to make a commitment with myself to continue to go out there and play. If they put me in there on an everyday basis, Im going to be ready.
