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Making amends Sheffield apologizes to teammates in closed-door meeting
VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Gary Sheffield stood in the middle of a silent clubhouse, all eyes on him. Having already apologized to the Dodgers' front office and fans, the star outfielder faced the truly hard part Tuesday: He had to tell his Los Angeles teammates he was sorry for causing so much commotion this spring. So for about 30 minutes behind closed doors, Sheffield spoke -- and listened. "There was a lot of give-and-take," manager Jim Tracy said. "His teammates had a right to do that, to see where we stand." Said Sheffield: "I just said what was in my heart. I told them that the important thing was the team, and that I wanted to be a part of it. "I'm hoping we can go on from here and just play baseball. We want to be pouring champagne over our heads at the end of this season, not talking about this." The session was not heated, like John Rocker's apology to the Atlanta Braves in their clubhouse last spring. Rather, it was an even-handed discussion with the Dodgers -- some of them recently demeaned by Sheffield -- trying to make sure he wanted to be on their side. "Hopefully, everyone has gotten satisfaction," said pitcher Kevin Brown, one of the players whose contract was criticized by Sheffield. "I respect Gary for being able, when he was presented with some facts, to step back and say he was wrong," he said. "Hopefully, we have some closure." It remains to be seen, however, whether the six-time All-Star will be playing for Los Angeles on Opening Day. While Dodgers chairman Bob Daly personally accepted an apology from Sheffield during Monday night's exhibition game against the New York Mets, the executive did not offer any guarantee to the slugger that he wouldn't be traded. The Mets, New York Yankees and Cincinnati were said to be talking about possible deals for Sheffield. Sheffield spoke to his teammates prior to a 7-3 win over Atlanta. Booed before every at-bat, he went 1-for-2, scored a run and stole a base. A day earlier, Sheffield fired Jim Neader and hired Scott Boras as his new agent. Boras now represents nine Dodgers, and has a good relationship with the club. Also Monday, Sheffield read from a hand-written statement, saying he intended to honor his contract and adding, "I owe the L.A. Dodger fans an apology. I owe them a great performance this year." Sheffield, 32, still has three years remaining on his contract, worth $30 million, plus an $11 million club option for 2004. He hit .325 with 43 home runs and 109 RBIs last season. Before spring training, Sheffield asked for a contract extension or a trade. The Dodgers would not rework his deal, and Sheffield called Daly a liar. After listing up to nine teams he wanted to play for, Sheffield abruptly dropped his trade request Saturday. Sheffield's saga has ripped apart the tranquility that usually reigns at Dodgertown. The complex is easily the most friendly spring site in baseball, where spectators and players often chat along pathways such as Don Drysdale Drive and Vin Scully Way. Even with Sheffield's apologies, the Dodgers realize he'll keep hearing it from the fans. "We know he's going to get booed. He's going to get the heat," outfielder Marquis Grissom said. "What he did today was tough. Him being man enough to admit he was wrong, that was the biggest thing," he said. "He want to curb it back and get back to being a baseball player. You could see it in his eyes."
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