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'I haven't softened my stance' Sheffield still looking for extension from Dodgers
VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Gary Sheffield reiterated his desire to sign a contract extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers. "I haven't softened my stance, and I won't," Sheffield said Wednesday. Last week, he criticized Dodgers chairman Bob Daly and again said he'd prefer a trade. When asked Wednesday if he would mind staying with the Dodgers without an extension, Sheffield wouldn't give a direct answer. "Anything is possible," he said. "I'd rather be surprised that I'm traded than disappointed that I'm not. It's in their court." Sheffield gets $9.5 million in each of the next two seasons and $11 million in 2003. The contract also contains an $11 million club option for 2004. "Everything's still the same," Sheffield said. "If we can find an answer to the problem, I'm willing to listen. I still stand by what I asked for. I still stand by what I said, and I'm going to until the day I die." Sheffield, 32, said he told the Dodgers he wants to play until he's 40, which would mean through 2008. "You can ask, but you can't make them do it," he said. "It's simple, that's what it is. How could Dodger fans be mad at me for wanting to finish my career with the Dodgers? "These people I'm comfortable with, I know these personalities," he said of his teammates. "They know they can depend on me, I know I can depend on them. That's how the Yankees win, they keep their best players. "I don't know what's going to happen. I just keep praying every day, it's all positive, I don't pray negative. I'm never angry, I'm at ease with this. Whatever. I'll play as reckless as ever." Team spokesman John Olguin said the team wouldn't comment on Sheffield, who hit .325 last year with 43 homers and 109 RBIs. "I want him on this team. He's a special player. They don't grow on trees," center fielder Tom Goodwin said. "If he is, and I think he is, ready to play physically and mentally, there's nobody better," pitcher Darren Dreifort said. "I hope he stays."
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