One of the greatest batters of all time is nearing the end of his career as the Detroit Tigers released him last Tuesday. Gary Sheffield didn’t expect this move from the Tigers most importantly at a time when he’s one home run short of making to the 500 mark. This was at the price of $14 million dollars that they agreed to pay as long as he doesn’t play with the team anymore. The Tigers preferred younger players compared to Sheffield who is 40 years old.
Sheffield’s name was also linked to steroids having been alleged to use performance enhancing drugs, which he denied.
From The New York Times:
Even though Sheffield is essentially a designated hitter, the inexpensive price tag will probably lead some team to give him a chance and hope he can produce. Sheffield belted 19 homers in 114 games last season. The Phillies have already contacted Sheffield and could add him.
If Sheffield does not get a call and ends up being forced to retire, he will leave one homer short of the once-hallowed 500-homer mark. Eventually, he will also be an interesting case for the Hall of Fame. In addition to his home runs, Sheffield has 2,615 hits, 1,633 runs batted in and a .292 career average. Based strictly on numbers, Sheffield is a Hall of Famer.
But some voters will surely wonder how much of his production was tied to steroids. He testified before a federal grand jury investigating Balco in December 2003. One year later, Sheffield, who worked out with Barry Bonds, told Sports Illustrated that he unknowingly used a designer steroid on his knee.
Whether or not Sheffield knew that he used steroids, the fact remains that his name was associated with them. This could ruin his chances of getting into the Hall of Fame. With $400, 00 minimum to his name he can still get a team to sign him up and maybe he can achieve 500th home run.
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